David Carradine quotes

David Carradine was an American actor best known for his role as Kwai Chang Caine in the television series "Kung Fu." His career spanned film, television, and stage, earning him critical acclaim and a dedicated fan following. He is also remembered for his performances in Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" films. Here are 23 of his quotes:

If you cannot be a poet, be the poem. (David Carradine)

There's an alternative. There's always a third way, and it's not a combination of the other two ways. It's a different way.

David Carradine

You know, I've never actually really believed that death is inevitable. I just think it's a rumor.

David Carradine

My big fight is not in the movie and I don't understand that decision but I know he's right about it, whatever it is. Quentin did not hire me because I'm a kung fu expert; he hired me because he liked to listen to me talk.

David Carradine

Why would you be afraid of death? It would be an inconvenience. I have a lot of undone things and it's bound to get in the way. But, no, it doesn't scare me at all.

David Carradine

I don't need to convince anybody that I know kung fu, but maybe somebody needs to know that I really can act, without doing a Chinese accent or a funny walk.

David Carradine

I've worked with a lot of real heavy hitters, and Quentin is maybe heads and shoulders, at least a forehead, above just about anybody I've ever worked with.

David Carradine

'Born to play? Hmmm. Probably Romeo... or Hamlet, I guess. Also, I'd be a great Alexander the Great.

David Carradine

Quentin and I were constantly finding something new that we had in common and comic books were one of them. I think we were talking about comic books much earlier in our relationship, before I had the part.

David Carradine

Tarantino is the coolest damn guy; he's just so much fun to work with. He might be the best director I've ever worked with. He just seems to know how to do it and he knows how to make you feel good about it. He's having so much fun you start having fun. You can't help it.

David Carradine

I was involved in a web cartoon of Kung Fu with WB a few years back. (David Carradine)

It was pretty extensive - we worked out 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 3 months, which I think is more than anybody in the Olympics. I thought well I don't need this, the girls need it, but it was a gift.

David Carradine

But, Tarantino has seen all of my movies. He's seen my good stuff, he's seen my bad stuff, he's seen the ones I directed, he's read my autobiography. There's an awful lot of things he knows about me, all of which I think had something to do with his casting.

David Carradine

I remember when I did the pilot, and I though no network is going to want to do this. How could that happen? A half Chinese guy walking the old west that doesn't fire one gun and never gets on a horse?

David Carradine

Most actors spend a lot of time training themselves to be an actor. And I kind of didn't do that. I just started doin' it in front of an audience and had to deliver.

David Carradine

Because you know how you say I've got to really get down and really do some training and then of course, you never do or you do it for a couple of weeks and slough it back off again but I'm being forced to do something that I really want to do and I loved it.

David Carradine

I'm not regretful about dropping acid, but I could have stopped it a little sooner.

David Carradine

The success of the '86 movie with Brandon Lee demanded some kind of continuation. Plus, I had always contemplated a modern version.

David Carradine

Quentin is very organic; there was no way that he was going to put someone else's hand in there and anyway, my hands are kind of famous. It seemed right.

David Carradine

In the second installment, I pretty much dominate the show. Somehow or another, though, I manage to apparently dominate the first show pretty well with just my voice and my hands and a shot of my boots kicking cartridges out of the way.

David Carradine

Well I would never say to anybody that Warren Beatty got fired, but uh, I think he and Quentin fell out of love, and I think Warren told Quentin to hire me for the film. (David Carradine)

Quentin wanted to create this special world in which everybody walks around with a samurai sword, extras in the airport, a special little place in the airplane to stick your samurai sword.

David Carradine

I like Bill a lot. As Bill is presented, I mean you don't ever see Bill blow her head off? You know? And I think what Quentin has done is he created a monster.

David Carradine

David Carradine

David Carradine - Image

Photo: Wikimedia commons, CC BY-SA 2.5

Occupation: American Actor
Born: December 8, 1936
Died: June 3, 2009
Quotes count: 23

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