How we establish David Carradine’s age: sources and methods
To answer how old David Carradine would be today, we rely on authoritative sources rather than speculation. This overview uses his verified birth date, public records, and documented milestones to clarify his age at key moments and project his current age had he lived. Below is a compact reference table followed by a narrative timeline that connects ages to career milestones and contextualizes how age is commonly discussed in biographical records.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | David Carradine | Biographical records |
| Date of birth | December 8, 1936 | Birth certificate, public biographies |
| Date of death | June 3, 2009 (aged 72) | Coroner’s report, news obituaries |
| Age at death | 72 years | Official records |
| Common age references | Often cited as born 1936; ages at film releases derived from production years | Film databases, biographies |
David Carradine’s age at key life milestones
By anchoring his age to documented events, we can reliably state how old David Carradine was during important periods. These milestones are drawn from verified biographies, interview records, and historical film databases. Ages are calculated from his birth date and rounded to whole years for clarity, reflecting standard biographical practice.
Early life and family context
Carradine was born December 8, 1936, in Hollywood, California. During his childhood, his family moved frequently because of his father’s acting career. Understanding his age at these formative moves helps explain later references to his upbringing in different regions and how contemporaries may have perceived his background.
Young adulthood and career launch
In his late teens and early twenties, Carradine pursued acting while navigating a challenging industry. His age during early training and initial roles shaped his onscreen presence and informed the authenticity with which he later approached complex characters. The table below summarizes his age at notable career entry points, illustrating how his early work aligns with typical timelines for emerging actors of his generation.
| Life event | Year | Calculated age | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation (approx.) | 1954 | 17–18 | Biographical summary |
| Marriage first wife | 1959 | 22–23 | Marriage records |
| First credited film role (The Rice Rocket) | |||
| First credited film role (The Rice Rocket) | 1964 | 27–28 | Film database |
| Breakout role in Kung Fu (TV series start) | 1972 | 35–36 | TV archives, series debut records |
Age in the context of Kung Fu and mainstream recognition
Carradine’s age during the run of Kung Fu is central to how he is remembered. In his mid to late thirties when the series began, he brought a blend of physical discipline and introspective charisma that defined the show’s appeal. Being approximately 35–36 at the start clarifies why his portrayal of Kwai Chang Caine resonated as that of a seasoned yet idealistic wanderer, and it helps distinguish his age at peak fame from earlier or later periods.
Physique and performance style
At around 35, Carradine was in a phase of physical mastery that supported the demanding martial arts sequences associated with his role. His age aligned with a maturity that allowed for both rigorous training and nuanced character work. Understanding this context counters reductive narratives and supports a more accurate view of how age and performance intersected in his career.
Later career phases and how age is referenced
After Kung Fu, Carradine continued acting across film and television, with his age naturally increasing over time. Media references to his age in later years typically derive from the known birth year rather than from contested documentation. This section clarifies how to interpret common mentions of his age in retrospectives, interviews, and contemporary discussions, emphasizing consistency with the 1936 birth year.
Film and television work in the 1980s and 1990s
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Carradine took on varied roles that showcased his range. His age during this span can be reliably inferred by adding years to his documented birth date. These projects reinforce that his career longevity was supported by ongoing activity and adaptability, rather than resting on earlier fame alone.
| Project period | Year range | Approximate age range | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Television and film roles resurgence | 1980–1989 | 43–52 | Filmography databases |
| Voice work and independent films | 1990–1999 | 53–62 | Production credits |
Age at death and legacy considerations
David Carradine died on June 3, 2009, at age 72. Confirming his age at death is essential for accurate retrospectives and distinguishes verified information from speculation. His passing at 72 reflects a life that spanned significant cultural shifts, and his age at death is consistently reported by coroner records and major obituaries. This clarity supports responsible discussion of his legacy and counters misinformation that sometimes arises after a high-profile death.
Common misconceptions and clarifications
Confusion sometimes arises about Carradine’s age due to inconsistent records in early databases or informal interviews that rounded years. Where discrepancies exist, authoritative sources such as birth certificates, official biographies, and reputable databases align on a 1936 birth year. Citing these sources helps explain why certain age claims are unreliable and reinforces the importance of using verified references in biographical research.
How to interpret age references today
Because Carradine is deceased, references to his age today are always retrospective. When discussing how old David Carradine would be if alive, it is accurate to calculate from his birth year to the present date and acknowledge the hypothetical nature of such estimates. This approach maintains factual integrity while providing useful context for audiences encountering his work in reruns, documentaries, or cultural discussions.
- Use the documented birth year (December 8, 1936) as the fixed point for any age calculations.
- For retrospective articles, state both age at key events and the method used to derive current hypothetical age.
- Distinguish between verified records and informal claims to reduce confusion and support transparency.
Key dates snapshot
Quickly compare ages across milestones with this summary, which aligns with publicly available records. Ages are shown as calculated at each event for consistency.
| Date or period | Age | Event or context |
|---|---|---|
| December 8, 1936 | 0 | Birth |
| 1954 | 17–18 | High school graduation |
| 1959 | 22–23 | Marriage |
| 1964 | 27–28 | First credited film role |
| 1972 | 35–36 | Kung Fu series start |
| June 3, 2009 | 72 | Date of death |
Frequently asked questions
- What is David Carradine’s date of birth? He was born on December 8, 1936.
- How old was he when Kung Fu began? He was approximately 35–36 when the series started in 1972.
- At what age did he die? He died at age 72 on June 3, 2009.
- Why do some sources list different ages? Inconsistencies can arise from early databases or informal reporting; authoritative records align on 1936.
- How old would he be today if alive? Calculated from December 8, 1936, to the present year; this is hypothetical, as he is deceased.