David Carradine's actress niece Martha Plimpton has paid tribute to the star, who was found dead in a Thai hotel room on Thursday (04Jun09).
The Parenthood star is baffled by Carradine's mysterious death and reports he committed suicide, and she's urging his fans to remember him for his acting.
Plimpton also calls on the media to "respect his legacy and allow his family and loved ones to grieve peacefully".
In a statement on behalf of her family, Plimpton - the daughter of Carradine's brother Keith - says, "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. The passing of someone so loved is extremely difficult under any circumstances."
Authorities in Thailand have yet to confirm the cause of Carradine's death.