Shocked and saddened to learn of David Carradine's passing:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_thailand_david_carradine

Heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and fans.

Elise

This is really shocking. Very sad, indeed. He had to have been completely hopeless.
Condolences to his family.

That is so SAD!! My heart goes out to David's family and CP. He will be sorely missed! *CRYING AT WORK*

my deeps condolens to the carrdine family. god be with you
at this time.

To all of the Fu Fans, let's raise a glass in honor and memory of David Carradine (I know that where ever he is, he's doing the same.) Some of us are old enough to remember the original Kung Fu and Mr. Carradine's hypnotic performance. And the SF film fans among us will always remember "Frankenstein. National Hero." from "Death Race 2000" and then, of course, there are the "Kill Bill" flicks. I'm of an age where it seems he was always there. Never a major star (except for Kung Fu), but an omnipresent face popping up throughout each decade of my life in quirky, captivating performances in often horrible scripts.

To Chris, let me send my own condolences. I know that working with him was not easy. No one has ever said working with Mr. Carradine was easy. But then again, no one ever called it boring. And everyone said they learned something from the man.

Here's a link to the Entertainmen Weekly obituary: http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/06/da...radine-rip.html
And a rather cryptic one from the New York Times: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/...adine-dies/?hpw

Farewell, Grasshopper. We will never forget you.

I was very Shocked and saddened to here about this. I read the news alert while at a meeting this afternoon. My condolences go out to his Family and friends.

Joan

Glass raised, elixir downed, Carolyn! Lovely message from you which sums up what many of us feel just now. What a sad end to a various and complex life! He brought a lot of pleasure into our lives; I hope he felt how much we appreciated him in return.

Chris, it's the end of an era, isn't it? I know you cared for him. And yes, he was gifted in being difficult, but he cared for you, too. But you know that.

I'm so sorry for his passing too soon and not well.

Carol Frisbie

It is so sad, a man loved by so many but he died alone and troubled.

He was one of a kind and left his mark on the world.

Maria

Just now heard the news.

How tragic. A talented and much-loved man.

Condolences to his family and friends and of course to Chris who must have some amazing memories of this great man.

The news of David's death was certainly a shocker.

That was a nice tribute, Carolyn. Those of us who got to meet him have memories that are all the more special.

Thanks for sharing your talent. Rest in peace, Grasshopper.

Jan

Just a little tribute...

How desperate he must have felt in that night to do what he did. It is so sad.

My condolences to his relatives and friends as well.

Ireen


@Jannine: Thanks for the picture.

I'm so glad it wasn't suicide, but an accidental death. DC just loved life too much to deliberately leave it.

Carol

What a tragic loss .... I still can't believe it !!

I'm still in shock. Condolences to his family and friends.

@Jannine: Thank you.

I am still trying to realize what happened.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fans.

Jannine, thanks for the beautiful artwork.

OMG, I'm so shocked to hear this sad news!! What a tragic loss.

RIP David, condolences to all your family and friends..
What a beautiful tribute by Chis, that was really nice too read..

It is truly a sad day. My sympathies.

And what a lovely post, Chris. Thanks for sharing.

All my prayers go out to his family and friends!

I couldn't believe it when my mom told me what happened. It's so sad and still hard to believe he's no longer among us. I enjoyed watching Kung Fu and grew up with The Legend Continues. The show, the characters Caine & Peter, were one of few TV highlights of my childhood. David had such a cool way to play all those different characters, and especially as Caine. We'll miss you.. Goodbye, David ~ Goodbye, Grasshopper!

My condolences to his family and friends.
Chris, I read you tribute, a wonderful tribute to David
Thanks for sharing your feelings.

Georgina

I too was shocked and saddened when I read this. What a loss. I so loved the relationship between Caine and Peter on TLC, and I would always smile whenever I saw Kwai Chang playing the flute (something we had in common). What a terrible thing to happen. And what makes me really sad is that this is what younger people will remember about him - not his enormous talent or incredible zest for life, but the manner in which he died. That's not how it should be.

And Mr. Potter, thank you for your tribute to him. It brought me to tears. But tears with a smile, because your love and friendship and respect for him shone through in every word. I'm glad you got to say those all-important words one last time.

Godspeed, Kwai Chang Caine. You will be missed.

Chris, thanks for sharing your memories.

I'm still shocked over his passing. That was unexpected to say the least. Chris, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Such a nice tribute. Thanks for sharing with us.

I am saddened by this news. I hope the family can find the answers they seek. I also hope that the media will give them some peace. My condolences to all who personally feel the loss of this great man, be they family, friends or fans. Thank you for sharing with us Chris.

JD

Although these are the CP Pages, I feel that this is the best place to make a comment about the death of Mr. Carradine. Maybe because CP and him were such a good pair working together. They brought a lesson in relationships between fathers and sons, which is something you don't see much in the United States Television. I remember using some father and son scenes from KFTLC to try to reach a father and a son that were having big problems connecting. I remember someone told me that it was so dumb on my part to use and I quote "Such a bad show with such a sappy scenes' to try to convey a message in a serious situation like the one I was dealing with at that time...Guess what? It worked. I was not looking for a miracle, I was looking to start melting the big iceberg around them. Just a little bit. And it worked. How grateful I am to David and Chris for their work and also for the good times I had watching KFTLC.
David will always live in many hearts.

Thank you Chris for writing the lovely tribute to your friend. His death had been more mysterious than what I might've thought. I was so sorry David was working so hard to film the new movie, while he stopped breathing, but he had a remarkable life. I was very happy that Chris loved David well-enough, esp. with the drinking problems David had over the years, that DID NOT STOP HIM from attending any rehearsals on episodes of Kung Fu: The Legend Continues or any other acting. He kept at it, remembering so many lines, always showed up on time, and was a class act. By the time he was sober, he felt that he was going to not break any rules . . . he had a remarkable career, for the next 12 seasons [starring in movies], which made it big or not. I have heard of David, but didn't get a chance to see one of his movies. May God Bless You Forever, Mr. Carradine!!

Gary Collins II

Here's a link to the Associated Press coverage of David Carradine's fuenral service: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/articl...FwLBBgD98QH0C01

It sounds as though it went off as well as any celebrity funeral can these days. It does not mention CP (I hope everyone has read his lovely post), but it does mention that 400 hundred invitations were issued to Carradine's friends and co-workers.

Carolyn, thank you for the link to the article and pictures.

About 9 years ago I embarked on an adventure to Toronto, to meet some friends I only knew through this BBS (actually I think this was housed somewhere else). At FuFest, 1998 (?) I met some wonderful "PotterPals" and "FuFriends" in person for the first time. I started some important friendships that week that have met a lot to me over the years.

Coming in to one of the luncheons that weekend, late with a friend, some other pals came up to us excitedly, telling us that we won the lottery to sit at a table with David Carradine. I couldn't believe it! So with nerves and curiousity, we got to eat with Mr. Carradine, his wife, and a few other fans. I know I was too shy and probably intimidated to say much of anything. I had been such a huge fan of the original Kung Fu, and had no idea how to interact with a celebrity. So I watched and listened. He was strange, and funny, and mysterious, and magnetic. I could only imagine how much was going on in that head of his behind those piercing eyes. Whatever that odd, compelling pull he possessed, it grabbed you on screen and off. He was one of a kind.

There are those who might scoff and make derisive remarks about "fandoms" and pop culture, and question the need for actors and celebrities. But what is it that we are all looking for in this world? We are looking for acceptance, collegiality, love. What is wrong with finding it through our imaginations? Books, music, actors, television; these things all fire our imaginations, and sometimes through this we can find real connections with other people. That's what happened and is happening right now, right here, and in places all over the place. Chris Potter and David Carradine fired our imaginations and this created a space for us to find each other. So it's really about us, and the friends we have made. I think it's pretty special to have this kind of legacy.

Chris, thank you for the wonderful tribute to your friend. Mr. Carradine, thank you for firing our imaginations. And to my old friends still here, or to those who have moved on, thanks for the wonderful memories of friendship.

Mimi