Robert Carradine’s former Lizzie McGuire co-stars paid tribute to the late actor with a touching tribute after news broke on Monday that he had passed away at the age of 71.
Hilary Duff, who played the title character on the Disney Channel show, mourned her on-screen father on Instagram.
“This hurts. It’s hard to face this reality of an old friend,” the 38-year-old actress told followers of Carradine, who played Sam Maguire in two seasons and movies of the series from 2001 to 2004.
“There’s so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents,” she continued, referring to TV mom Harry Todd. “I will be forever grateful for that.
“I’m so sad to know that Bobby was suffering,” she concluded of the late actor’s struggle with bipolar disorder. “My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him.”
Duff’s TV brother Jake Thomas shared his own emotional statement on social media platforms.
“My heart hurts today,” the 36-year-old began. “I was lucky to know Bobby for most of my life, and he was one of the coolest guys I’ve ever met.”
Thomas described Carradine as “funny, down-to-earth, sometimes moody, always a little quirky,” adding, “He was a talented actor, musician, and director. But most of all, he was a family man.”
After reflecting on their “happy memories”, he concluded, “I looked up to him since I was a kid, and later I realized that he thought I was pretty decent too, so I guess I was doing the right thing in his eyes.”
Thomas signed his autograph with Carradine’s nickname, “Jakers.”
Laraine, who played Miranda Sanchez on the show, told Deadline that Carradine’s death was “really unfair” and that she was “upset[at this time].”
She continued, adding, “I appreciate it (ugh). Thank you for spending time with you, for our last conversation, and for always being a fatherly support to me. I love you, Bobby.”
Carradine died after a “brave” battle with bipolar disorder, his family told Deadline in a statement.
“In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to those around him. We are lost at the loss of this beautiful soul,” the “Revenge of the Nerds” star’s loved ones wrote. “We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage us to tackle the stigma around mental illness.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
