Robert "Bobby" Carradine, Lizzie McGuire's TV Dad, Dies at 71 After Bipolar Disorder Battle
Robert "Bobby" Carradine — beloved by millions as Sam McGuire, the warm-hearted TV dad on Disney Channel's Lizzie McGuire — has died at the age of 71. His family confirmed the news on Monday, February 23, 2026 (ET), revealing the actor died by suicide after a nearly two-decade struggle with bipolar disorder. Tributes from his Lizzie McGuire co-stars, including Hilary Duff, poured in immediately following the announcement.
The Family Statement: Honoring Bobby and Breaking the Stigma
The Carradine family released a statement to Deadline expressing both grief and a deliberate intention to speak openly about Robert's mental health battle. "In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to everyone around him," the family wrote. "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." Brother Keith Carradine also released a public statement saying "there is no shame" in bipolar disorder.
Hilary Duff and the Lizzie McGuire Cast React
The tributes from Robert Carradine's Lizzie McGuire family were immediate and heartfelt.
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Hilary Duff (Lizzie McGuire): "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."
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Jake Thomas (Matt McGuire): "My heart hurts today. I was fortunate to know Bobby for most of my life. And he was one of the coolest guys you could ever meet. Funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, always a little eccentric. He was a talented actor, musician and director."
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Lalaine (Miranda Sanchez): "It's really not fair. I'm fu*ked up atm. I am thankful tho. Thankful I had time with you, thankful for our last conversation, and your constant fatherly like support. I love you Bobby."
Robert Carradine's Career: From Nerds to McGuire
| Role | Project | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Lewis Skolnick | Revenge of the Nerds franchise | 1984–1994 |
| Sam McGuire | Lizzie McGuire (Disney Channel) | 2001–2004 |
| Sam McGuire | The Lizzie McGuire Movie | 2003 |
| Sam McGuire | Disney+ Lizzie McGuire revival | 2020 (scrapped) |
| Guest roles | ER, NYPD Blue, The Practice | Various |
Robert Carradine first broke through in the 1984 comedy classic Revenge of the Nerds as Lewis Skolnick, a role he reprised across multiple sequels. His second cultural touchstone came in 2001 when he joined the cast of Lizzie McGuire as Sam McGuire, the endlessly supportive dad to Hilary Duff's beloved tween protagonist. He held the role for the show's full two-season run and reprised it in the 2003 theatrical film. He was also set to return for a Disney+ revival series that filmed two episodes before Disney pulled the plug in 2020.
Robert Carradine and the Carradine Acting Dynasty
Robert Carradine was part of one of Hollywood's most storied acting families. He was the younger brother of Keith Carradine and half-brother of the late David Carradine. His father was legendary actor John Carradine. Robert's own career spanned five decades, from his early work in The Long Riders to his final projects, cementing his place in the family's enduring Hollywood legacy.
Mental Health Resources
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available 24/7. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also chat online at 988lifeline.org or text "988" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. You are not alone.
