Carradine Brothers: Robert Carradine Dead at 71 — Hollywood's Most Storied Acting Dynasty Mourns Again

Hollywood lost another member of its most legendary acting family on February 23, 2026 ET, when Robert Carradine — the youngest of the famous Carradine brothers — died by suicide at the age of 71, following a nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder.

Robert Carradine Dead at 71

The family issued a statement confirming the passing: "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."

Surviving older brother Keith Carradine said: "We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it. 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."

Who Were the Carradine Brothers?

All of the Carradine brothers were the children of John Carradine, a character actor who married four times and appeared in some of the greatest Hollywood movies ever made. David was the eldest of the famous Carradine brothers. Robert, Keith, and David were the most prominent, but they also had two other brothers — Bruce, who was adopted by their father during his first marriage, and Christopher, an architect who became vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering.

David Carradine — the eldest and most globally famous of the brothers — was best known for starring as Kwai Chang Caine in the 1970s TV series Kung Fu and later for his role as Bill in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill films. He died in 2009 at the age of 72 while in Thailand.

Keith Carradine, 76, remains the sole surviving prominent brother. Keith has had a long and acclaimed career in film and television and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "I'm Easy" from the 1975 film Nashville.

Robert Carradine, born March 24, 1954, was introduced to audiences with roles on Bonanza in 1971 and in the John Wayne Western The Cowboys in 1972. His biggest film success came in 1984 with Revenge of the Nerds, in which he starred as head nerd Lewis Skolnick. He found a new generation of fans as the father in the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire, and later appeared in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained in 2012.

David Carradine's Death Triggered Robert's Mental Health Decline

Robert Carradine later said his mental illness was triggered by the death of his brother David in 2009, and he was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The family connection between both brothers' tragic deaths has prompted renewed grief and reflection across Hollywood.

Tributes Pour In

Robert's daughter Ever Carradine wrote on Instagram: "Whenever anyone asks me how I turned out so normal, I always tell them it's because of my dad. I knew my dad loved me, I knew it deep in my bones, and I always knew he had my back. I did always think of him as my partner."

The Carradine Brothers Legacy at a Glance