An update to the earlier story: Gary Coleman’s medical condition has been downgraded from “critical” to “no rush,” as the 42-year-old actor has passed away from a brain hemorrhage.

There will, of course, be plenty of heartfelt remembrances and — I hope — a slowed down, dirge-like rendition of the “Diff’rent Strokes” theme, but this blog has never really been a good place for heartfelt remembrances. For example, the Too Soon Joke of the Week goes to Deux Deux Deux, who wrote:

Isn’t a brain hemorrhage just a diff’rent kind of stroke?

So, ummm… my condolences to his friends and loved ones on this sad day. Sorry about the jokes. It’s how we grieve.

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David Carradine, 73, has been found dead in his Bangkok hotel room.  The actor, who was in Thailand to film a movie, will be best remembered for his roles as Kwai Chang Caine in “Kung Fu” and the titular character in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill films, but my favorite Carradine project is probably Death Race 2000.  It was CARmageddon!

His agent confirmed his death this morning, saying the actor had been in great spirits. He said he believed Carradine died of natural causes [...]

Over the years, he appeared in over 200 motion pictures and television dramas, and numerous plays. He was also a producer, director, writer, and composer for the screen as well. [ABC]

Bummer.  Carradine was one of those actors that seemed to just get better and cooler as he got older.  But he died the way I want to die: in a Bangkok hotel room.  Of course, my ideal death involves premium black tar heroin and at least two Thai hookers, but sure, natural causes is okay.  I guess.

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