Friends, family react to David Carradine's death

The Associated Press, Thursday, June 4, 2009, 3:04pm (PDT)

Reaction to the death of David Carradine:

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"I was deeply saddened by the news of David Carradine's passing. We met when we made 'Boxcar Bertha' together, almost 40 years ago. I have very fond memories of our time together on that picture and on 'Mean Streets,' where he agreed to do a brief cameo. David was a great collaborator, a uniquely talented actor, and a wonderful spirit. He loved movies, acting in movies, making movies, and he was always extremely generous." — Martin Scorsese.

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"David was one of the first actors I ever worked with when I started my career and the closest person to a brother that I ever had in my life. It is shocking to me that he is no longer with us. I had been thinking about calling him for the last several days and advise anybody who has been thinking about reaching out to a loved one to do so. I have so many great memories of David that I wouldn't even know where to begin. He has a very special place in my heart." — Michael Madsen.

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"My uncle David was a brilliantly talented, fiercely intelligent and generous man. He was the nexus of our family in so many ways, and drew us together over the years and kept us connected. I adored him as a child, and as an adult I admired and respected him. We will all miss him terribly, and are so grateful for everyone's condolences." — Martha Plimpton.

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"R.I.P. David Carradine. You were a true hero to so many of us children of the 70s. We'll miss you, Kwai Chang Caine." — Rainn Wilson, via Twitter.

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"David's always been kind of a seeker of knowledge and of wisdom in his own inimitable way. It was such a logical thing for him to play that part (in 'Kung Fu.') The years of his life preceding that all conspired to make him the perfect choice for that role." — Keith Carradine in a 1995 interview.

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"I wasn't like a TV star in those days, I was like a rock and roll star. It was a phenomenon kind of thing. It wasn't like someone in sitcom. It was very special." — David Carradine in a 1996 interview, talking about how "Kung Fu" changed his life.