Robert Carradine Cause of Death: 'Lizzie McGuire' and 'Revenge of the Nerds' Actor Dies at 71

Hollywood is mourning the loss of Robert Carradine, one of the most recognizable character actors of his generation. The beloved star passed away this week after a prolonged and private battle with a serious mental illness, with his family stepping forward to share the full truth about his final years.

Robert Carradine Died by Suicide After Bipolar Disorder Battle

Carradine died by suicide in Los Angeles on February 23, 2026, at the age of 71, after battling bipolar disorder for two decades. His death was announced by his brother Keith.

A representative for Keith Carradine confirmed to ABC News that Robert Carradine "took his own life." His family released a statement saying: "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

The family made the deliberate decision to be fully transparent about the cause of death in hopes of reducing the shame that too often surrounds mental health struggles.

Keith Carradine told Deadline: "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."

According to reports, brother David Carradine's death reportedly triggered Robert's mental health struggles and his eventual bipolar diagnosis.

A Career That Spanned Generations

Robert Reed Carradine was born on March 24, 1954, in Los Angeles, the son of legendary actor John Carradine. He made his film debut in the 1972 John Wayne film The Cowboys and later delivered a notable performance in Hal Ashby's Oscar-winning Vietnam drama Coming Home alongside Jane Fonda and Jon Voight.

He rose to national fame in the 1980s portraying the nerdy yet lovable fraternity president Lewis Skolnick in the Revenge of the Nerds series, and in the early 2000s reached a new generation of fans as the father of Hilary Duff's character on the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire.

Lizzie McGuire Cast Pays Tribute to Robert Carradine

The emotional response from his on-screen family was immediate and heartfelt, reflecting the warmth he brought to every set he worked on.

Hilary Duff wrote on Instagram: "This one hurts," sharing photos alongside her TV dad. "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."

Actor Jake Thomas, who played Duff's on-screen brother Matt McGuire, wrote: "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. But more than anything, he was family."

Robert Carradine Is Survived by His Children

Robert Carradine is survived by his children Marica Reed Carradine and Ian Carradine, whom he shared with his ex-wife Edie Mani, and Ever Carradine, whom he shared with actress Susan Snyder.

Daughter Ever Carradine shared a tribute on Instagram: "I knew my dad loved me, I knew it deep in my bones, and I always knew he had my back. My dad was a lover, not a fighter. He was all heart."