Robert Carradine, 'Revenge of the Nerds' and 'Lizzie McGuire' star, dies at 71
robert carradine has died at age 71; his family said he took his own life after a nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder, and they asked for privacy as they grieve.
Robert Carradine: family statement and tributes
The family described him as a "beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother" and said, "In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him. " They acknowledged his "valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder, " urged efforts to address the stigma attached to mental illness, and asked for privacy "at this time" while they grieve. His older brother Keith Carradine said, "We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it, " and added that the illness "got the best of him" while celebrating his "beautiful soul, " his humor, and how "wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was. " The family said he is survived by his children, grandchildren, brothers, nieces, and nephews.
Career highlights from The Cowboys to Revenge of the Nerds
Born March 24, 1954, robert carradine was the youngest son of actor John Carradine and a brother of David, Keith and Christopher Carradine. He first appeared on television in Bonanza in 1971 and made his big-screen debut in 1972 alongside John Wayne in The Cowboys after his brother David encouraged him — David told him he "had everything to gain, and nothing to lose. " He appeared in Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets in 1973 and in Hal Ashby's Coming Home with Jane Fonda and Jon Voight. His biggest commercial hit came in 1984 with Revenge of the Nerds, in which he played Lewis Skolnick alongside Anthony Edwards; he reprised the role in a sequel and two made-for-television follow-ups, later guesting on Robot Chicken and co-hosting King of the Nerds with Curtis Armstrong for three seasons. He worked steadily for more than 40 years and in the early 2000s gained small-screen recognition playing the father on the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire.
Films at Cannes and family collaborations
In 1980 Carradine had two films at the Cannes Film Festival: Samuel Fuller's The Big Red One and Walter Hill's The Long Riders. Hill cast real brothers to play outlaw brothers — Robert, Keith and David Carradine as the Younger brothers — alongside James and Stacy Keach as the James brothers, Randy and Dennis Quaid as the Miller brothers, and Christopher and Nicholas Guest as the Ford brothers. The Big Red One included Mark Hamill and Lee Marvin. During the shooting, David Carradine fell in love with and bought the movie horse Z-Tan, which later lived on Robert's property in the Hollywood Hills; the family noted that in the 1980s his daughter Ever Carradine could sometimes be seen riding Z-Tan between their home and Runyon Canyon on Mulholland Drive.
Reactions, legacy and resources
Hilary Duff, who played the title role on Lizzie McGuire and worked with Carradine, led public tributes. Duff wrote, "This one hurts. It's really hard to face this reality about an old friend, " and added that "there was so much warmth in the McGuire family" and that she would be "forever grateful" for the care she felt from her on-screen parents. She also said she was "deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering" and that her "heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him. " Colleagues and fans recalled his work in films that ranged from The Cowboys to Django Unchained in 2012, and his family noted his place in a storied acting clan that also included half-brother David Carradine, who died in 2009. The coverage of his death included an editor's note reminding readers that the U. S. national suicide and crisis lifeline is available by calling or texting 988.
The family has asked for privacy as they mourn and said they hope his journey will help encourage conversations that reduce the stigma around mental illness.
