David Carradine 1936 - 2009 | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Services were held under mostly gloomy skies with cold blasts of wind sweeping across a sprawling hillside cemetery in Los Angeles. The funeral lasted more than two hours and as more than 400 mourners left, clouds parted in the west, offering a magnificent sunset.

The 72-year-old actor's body was found hanging in a Bangkok hotel room on June 4. Thai authorities continue to investigate his death. A statement released Thursday by a private pathologist said suicide had been ruled out as a cause of death.

Carradine's family stayed out of sight from a small group of reporters and cameras. His burial was private. The family has asked for privacy and patience as they grieve and authorities investigate.

His brother, Keith Carradine, briefly appeared outside before the service and greeted some people before heading back inside.

Among the hundreds of guests were numerous actors, including Michael Madsen, Jane Seymour, Tom Selleck, Daryl Hannah, Lucy Liu, Edward James Olmos, Ali Larter, and James Cromwell. Rob Schneider arrived, clutching a basket of flowers.

Madsen and Liu both starred alongside Carradine in Quentin Tarantino's two-part "Kill Bill" saga. Carradine is perhaps best known for his role as Kwai Chang Caine on three seasons of the 1970s hit show "Kung Fu." His role in popular culture was cemented by the time he left the show after three seasons in 1975.

He later went on to star in the cult flick "Death Race 2000" and in Ingmar Bergman's "The Serpent's Egg" in 1977, but by the 1980s his career arc had moved to lower-budget fare.

He continued to foster interests in Asian herbs, exercise and philosophy, and made instructional videos on tai chi and other martial arts.

Tarantino's "Kill Bill" films offered Carradine a career resurgence. His role as the titular character earned Carradine a Golden Globe nomination for best supporting actor for his role in "Kill Bill -- Vol. 2."

Carradine's father, John, was a character actor whose 50-year stage and screen career began during Hollywood's early years. Some mourners on Saturday opted for bits of Western flair, with some sporting cowboy boots and hats and turquoise jewelry. Keith Carradine wore a bolo tie. Guests gathered and hugged outside the hall, where security ensured only invited guests gained entry.