Kung Fu star found dead, suicide suspected

David Carradine, who became a an American cultural icon in the 70s with his role in the TV series Kung Fu, was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room, everybody and their mother reported Thursday.

Thai police believe he hanged himself; however, the circumstances of his death are still under investigation.

Carradine, 72, was in Bangkok to shoot a movie and had been staying at the Park Nai Lert Hotel since June 2. Carradine's manager Chuck Binder said his client's death "seems like an accidental death" and is "under investigation."

Carradine was absent from a dinner with the film crew on June 3. The crew attempted to get a hold of him but were not successful. They assumed he was resting, according to media reports.

A hotel maid found Carrradine on Thursday morning in the closet of his suite. A police investigation reports the actor was hanging by a rope. Police said he was dead for at least 12 hours and found no signs of foul play.

In the closet hanging by a rope. What kind of accident would that be? Oops, I hanged myself while searching for my shoes? Strange...

His manager insists the actor did not commit suicide.

"The cause of death is still under investigation in Bangkok," she told US magazine Thursday. "All I can tell you is that David did not commit suicide. I can tell you that 100 percent. He would never commit suicide."

Carradine played the title role in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Vol. 1 in 2003 and Kill Bill: Vol. 2 the following year. He was best known for his role as a fugitive in Kung Fu for which he was nominated for an Emmy. He also starred in Martin Scorsese's Boxcar Bertha in 1972, portrayed folksinger Woody Guthrie in Bound for Glory in 1976, and acted in Ingmar Bergman's The Serpent's Egg in 1977, Extra reported. Carradine also co-starred with half brothers Keith and Robert in the 1980 western The Long Riders.

He was the eldest son of noted actor John Carradine. He was married five times and leaves two daughters and a son.

Photo: Getty Images