





10 Facts about the show
Kung Fu would have a profound influence on director Quentin Tarantino, who mined several elements of the 1970s TV series for his martial-arts epic Kill Bill. For starters, Bill himself was played by Kung Fu star David Carradine, sporting the same look (and flute) as his iconic wanderer Kwai Chang Caine. Kill Bill's master Pai Mei also brought to mind Caine's trainer, Master Po. We could go on. Yet Kung Fu had far sweeping influence. Kicking off in 1972, it was one of the first major martial arts hits in American pop culture. It helped that the series was largely a Western, set in the Old West of the middle 19th century. Today, martial arts are popular again on the small screen. Let's take a look back at the original sensation.1. 'Kung Fu' was a Carradine family affair.
David worked alongside much of his family. His younger brother, Keith, appeared in flashbacks as a younger, bald Caine, while youngest brother, Robert (Revenge of the Nerds), popped up in an episode as "Sonny Jim." Father John Carradine had a recurring role as Rev. Serenity Johnson.
2. The Shaolin Temple set was recycled from a famous movie musical.
A little redressing converted King Arthur's home into a mystical martial arts training center. For the Chinese temple, the production used the castle set from 1967's Camelot, the cinematic adaptation of the classic Lerner and Loewe musical.
3. Cult actor William Smith screen tested for the lead role.

4. John Saxon was also considered for Caine.

5. Bruce Lee wanted the lead.

6. David Carradine had no martial arts training

7. Carradine never cut his hair until the end of the series.

8. Beloved heroes of 'Star Wars' and 'Star Trek' appeared on the show.

9. The show was ended due to injuries

10. There were sequels.
The first sequel to Kung Fu arrived in 1986 with the TV movie Kung Fu: The Movie. In this continuation of the tale, Brandon Lee, the son of Bruce Lee, portrayed the son of Caine. The movie aired on Lee's 21st birthday. Lee then played the great-grandson of Caine in 1987's Kung Fu: The Next Generation. Finally, in the syndicated 1990s series Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, Carradine played the grandson of Caine. Yes, it is all a bit confusing.
