Actor Robert Carradine, known for his roles in “Revenge of the Nerds” and “Lizzie McGuire,” died Sunday at the age of 71.
According to Deadline, her brother, actor Keith Carradine, said he took his own life after battling bipolar disorder.
Carradine was part of a legendary acting family that included his father John and brothers Keith and David.
“It is with deep sadness that we must share the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine,” the family said in a statement to the outlet.
“In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light for those around him. We are devastated by the loss of this beautiful soul and would like to pay tribute to Bobby’s brave fight against bipolar disorder, which lasted almost 20 years. We hope that his journey will be a light. We hope this will shine a light on this and inspire others to address the stigma that surrounds mental illness. At this time, we ask for privacy as we grieve this immense loss. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. ”
After Robert’s death, Keith Carradine said his family wanted the public to know about his brother’s struggle with bipolar disorder.
According to TMZ, Carradine said she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after her brother David died of suffocation in 2009.
“We want people to know that, there’s no shame in it,” Keith Carradine said. “This disease brought out the best in him. I want to celebrate his fight and honor his beautiful soul. He was deeply gifted and we will miss him every day. We take comfort in seeing how funny he was, how wise he was, and how completely accepting and forgiving he was. That was my little brother.”
Carradine made his film debut in the John Wayne western Cowboys in 1972, and also appeared in Martin Scorsese’s crime classic Mean Streets in 1973.
He also appeared in the 1978 war film Coming Home, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.
But it was Carradine’s role as Louis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds that won over moviegoers. In this work, the loser will compete against the sports organization Alpha Beta.
The film was a box office hit, grossing $40 million on a $6 million budget, and Carradine went on to star in three sequels.
Carradine said he never expected the film to be such a hit.
“But I remember having a great time making this movie,” he told Media Mikes in 2025. “It was a lot of fun. And I think the camera records how you really feel. And the fact that we were on fire, for lack of a better word, the camera recorded that. That was one of the things that made this movie work on a huge level.”
His role as Sam McGuire in the television series and film Lizzie McGuire introduced Carradine’s work to a new generation of fans.
“This hurts,” Hilary Duff, who played the title character, said Tuesday. “It’s really hard to face this reality about an old friend. There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt cared for by my on-screen parents, for which I will be forever grateful. I am so sad to know that Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family and everyone who loved him.”
“My heart hurts today,” said actor Jake Thomas, who played Carradine’s son on the show. “I was lucky to know Bobby for most of my life, and he was one of the coolest people I’ve ever met. Funny, down-to-earth, sometimes cantankerous, and always a little quirky.”
“He was a talented actor, musician, and director. But above all, he was my family. I have many fond memories with him and his family throughout my life. Good moments, difficult moments, and lots of laughs in between. I looked up to him growing up. And in later years, I realized that he thought I was pretty decent, too. So I guess I was doing the right thing in his eyes.”
Carradine had a daughter, actress Ever Carradine, with Susan Snyder in 1974. He later married Edith Manni and had two children, Marika and Ian, but they divorced after 25 years together.
“My dad passed away today. My sweet, funny dad, only 20 years older than me, who never missed an opportunity to drive me to the airport or tell me how much he loved my homemade salad dressing, has passed away,” Ever Carradine wrote on Instagram.
“My father was a lover, not a fighter. He was truly genuine. In a world full of conflict and division, I think today we can take a page from his book and open our hearts, feel love, and share.”
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.
