Robert Carradine, the American actor best known for his roles in Revenge of the Nerds and the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire, has died aged 71.
In a statement shared with US media, his family confirmed that he died by suicide following a long struggle with bipolar disorder. They said they hoped speaking openly about his death would help challenge stigma around mental illness and encourage others to seek support.
@thesun Actor Robert Carradine has died aged 71. The Lizzie McGuire star took his own life after battling bipolar disorder for two decades, his family said. Tap above for the full story. #news #breakingnews #lizziemcguire #revengeofthenerds ♬ original sound - The Sun
“It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away,” the Carradine family said. “In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to everyone around him. We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobby’s valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder. We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness. At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion.”
His brother, fellow actor Keith Carradine, also spoke publicly about the family’s decision to be open about Robert’s diagnosis. “We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,” he said. “I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful soul. He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day. We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was. That’s who my baby brother was.”
Hilary Duff, who starred alongside him in Lizzie McGuire. Writing on Instagram, she said: “There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents. I’ll be forever grateful for that. I’m deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him.”
@pinknews Robert Carradine, the actor best known for playing Sam McGuire in 'Lizzie McGuire', has died aged 71. A statement released by his family said the actor took his own life after living with bipolar disorder for almost two decades. His brother, Keith, told Deadline: "We want people to know it, and there's no shame in it." Following his death, Lizzie McGuire star Hilary Duff posted a tribute to Carradine on Instagram: "This one hurts. 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 so cared for by my on-screen parents. I’ll be forever grateful for that." "I’m deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him." #RobertCarradine #HilaryDuff #LizzieMcGuire #LGBTQIA #TV ♬ snowfall - Øneheart & reidenshi
Born in 1954, Carradine was part of a well-known acting dynasty. He was the youngest son of John Carradine, and the half-brother of David Carradine and Bruce Carradine, as well as the brother of Keith and Christopher Carradine. Acting ran deep in the family, with multiple generations working across film and television.
Carradine made his film debut opposite John Wayne in The Cowboys in 1972. He went on to appear in Mean Streets, directed by Martin Scorsese, and in the Oscar-winning Vietnam drama Coming Home.
However, it was the 1984 college comedy Revenge of the Nerds that made him a household name. Playing the earnest and socially awkward Lewis Skolnick, Carradine helped turn the film into a cult hit, later reprising the role in three sequels released between 1987 and 1994. The film remains closely associated with 1980s American pop culture.
@love_80songs r.i.p. robert carradine #robertcarradine #revengeofthenerds #riprobertcarradine ♬ original sound - ReelBeats ❤️
A new generation came to know him in the early 2000s through Lizzie McGuire, in which he played Sam McGuire, the supportive father of Duff’s teenage character. The series ran from 2001 to 2004, and Carradine appeared in 65 episodes, becoming a familiar face to younger audiences.
In later interviews, Carradine spoke about how the death of his half-brother David in 2009 deeply affected him. He later said his mental health struggles intensified following that loss, and he was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder. During divorce proceedings in 2017, his former wife alleged that he had been in a “psychotic state” during a 2015 car crash in Colorado. Carradine acknowledged experiencing severe mental health difficulties at the time.
His family’s decision to highlight his diagnosis reflects growing international efforts to speak more openly about mental illness and suicide, particularly among men, who remain statistically less likely to seek help.
If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, support is available.
You can contact Samaritans Ireland on 116 123. Pieta operates a 24/7 freephone crisis helpline on 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444. Aware also provides support and information at 1800 80 48 48. In an emergency, contact 999 or 112.
