Horiwood's Blog

This report from the BBC:

Hundreds came out to farewell David Carradine as the star who died in unexplained circumstances  in a Bangkok Hotel in Thailand on July 4 2009, was laid to rest today in Los Angeles.

Family members were joined by former co-stars and other Hollywood figures in the congregation of about 400.

Actors Jane Seymour, Tom Selleck, Daryl Hannah and Lucy Liu were among them.

Thai authorities are still investigating Carradine’s death at the age of 72. A private pathologist ruled out suicide as a cause.

Carradine was found naked in a wardrobe with a cord around his neck and other parts of his body, Thai police said.

He was in Thailand filming his latest movie, Stretch, according to his personal manager.

At the funeral, his family were not visible to the media and his burial was private.

Security guards made sure only invited guests entered the service.

The order of service showed a photo of a smiling Carradine on the front, and a sketch of him on the back above the lyrics to Midnight Rider by the Allman Brothers Band.

Other song selections included The Beatles’ Let It Be and Beethoven’s Requiem for a Fallen Hero, Associated Press reported.

Carradine is survived by his wife, Annie Bierman, and four children.

Carradine appeared in more than 100 films, but was best known early in his career for his role as Kwai Chang Caine in the TV series Kung Fu, which aired from 1972-75.

People Magazine Report:

Held in a chapel on the grounds of Forest Lawn Cemetery, guests arrived all manner of dress, including kilts, Native American headdresses, leather fringe jackets, sandals and multi-colored cowboy boots. Even a group of Hell’s Angels was there to bid goodbye to the actor.

“It was touching, but light-hearted,” Carradine’s older brother Bruce tells PEOPLE. “There weren’t a lot of tears, but there was a lot of laughter.”

A white hearse containing Carradine’s casket arrived at the cemetery around 3 p.m., accompanied by an escort of Hell’s Angels on motorcycles. The service started about two hours later after an estimated 400 people filed into a chapel on the grounds of the 400-acre cemetery to mourn the star, who was best known for his leading role of Kwai Chang Caine on TV’s Kung Fu.

Sharing Memories

Over the next two hours, Carradine’s brothers, children and friends – including hisKill Bill costar Michael Madsen and pal Stacy Keach, who starred in The Long Riders with Carradine – stood up and shared memories of the actor with the crowd. A photo montage of the 72-year-old star’s life was projected on a big screen and two of his children performed on the piano and harp. 

“Michael shared a list of rules to live by that David had given him years ago,” says Bruce. “These included advice like, ‘Never marry a woman named Candy,’ and ‘Never buy anything from a man who is out of breath.’ “ 

Following the service, a group of Lakota tribal members burned incense outside the chapel and gave blessings to a number of funeral-goers, including actress Daryl Hannah, who also starred with Carradine in Kill Bill. Carradine’s casket was then taken to his grave site. 

RIP.