How Did Robert Carradine Die? Lizzie McGuire and Revenge of the Nerds Actor Dead at 71

Robert Carradine, the beloved Hollywood actor known to generations of fans as Sam McGuire on Disney Channel's Lizzie McGuire and as Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds, died on Monday, February 23, 2026 (ET), at the age of 71. His family confirmed that Robert Carradine died by suicide after a nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder — and they chose to share every detail publicly, determined to fight the stigma surrounding mental illness.

How Did Robert Carradine Die? The Family's Full Statement

Robert Carradine's family did not keep the cause of death private. In a statement released to Deadline, they confirmed that the actor took his own life following years of struggle with bipolar disorder. The family wrote: "It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away. 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."

Brother Keith Carradine Speaks Out: "There Is No Shame"

Robert Carradine's older brother, actor Keith Carradine, took the family's transparency even further in a direct statement to Deadline. "We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it," Keith said. "It is an illness that got the best of him, and 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."

What Triggered Robert Carradine's Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis

Robert Carradine's mental health battle had a clear and devastating origin point. In 2009, his half-brother David Carradine died under tragic circumstances in a Bangkok hotel room while filming the movie Stretch. The loss of David devastated Robert, and his family later revealed that David's death was the event that triggered Robert's mental illness — leading to his eventual diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Robert Carradine struggled with the condition for the remaining 17 years of his life.

Robert Carradine's Life, Career, and Legacy

Robert Carradine's acting career stretched across more than five decades. He made his TV debut on Bonanza in 1971 and his film debut opposite John Wayne in The Cowboys in 1972. He appeared in Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets, the Oscar-winning Coming Home, Robert Altman's The Player, and Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. His most iconic film role came in 1984 as head nerd Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds — a role he reprised in three sequels. His most beloved TV role was Sam McGuire, the warm and steady father on Lizzie McGuire, which ran from 2001 to 2004 on Disney Channel. He appeared in over 60 episodes and returned for The Lizzie McGuire Movie in 2003. He was also set to reprise the role in a Disney+ revival before it was cancelled in 2020.

Hilary Duff and Co-Stars Pay Tribute

Hilary Duff, who played Robert Carradine's on-screen daughter for three years, wrote 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." Co-star Jake Thomas, who played Matt McGuire, called Robert "one of the coolest guys you could ever meet — funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, always a little eccentric." Lalaine, who played Miranda Sanchez, wrote simply: "I love you Bobby."

Robert Carradine is survived by his daughter Ever Carradine, son Ian Carradine, daughter Marika Carradine, his grandchildren, and brothers Keith and Christopher Carradine. His family has asked for privacy as they grieve.