Ever Carradine and others remember Robert Carradine as ever carradine recalls riding family horse Z‑Tan
ever carradine is among the family members and castmates publicly mourning Robert Carradine, who died by suicide at age 71 after what his family described as a nearly two‑decade battle with bipolar disorder. The disclosures and remembrances, and details of his life and career, have been shared in a family statement and in messages from children, nieces and co‑stars.
Family statement, confirmation and calls for privacy
The family said it is "bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul" and acknowledged Robert Carradine's "valiant struggle against his nearly two‑decade battle with Bipolar Disorder, " asking for privacy as they grieve. His older brother, Keith Carradine, confirmed the actor's death in a Feb. 24 statement, and the family also noted the death was confirmed late Monday, Feb. 23. The family described Robert as a beloved father, grandfather, uncle and brother and said he had been "a beacon of light to everyone around him. " They said they will miss him every day and asked for space to grieve.
Bipolar disorder: the illness the family highlighted
The family framed Robert Carradine's death as the culmination of a long battle with bipolar disorder. The context provided defines bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, as a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, activity levels and concentration. It notes there are three types—Bipolar I disorder, Bipolar II disorder and Cyclothymic disorder—and describes Bipolar I as involving manic episodes that last at least one week, during which a person can experience extreme increases in energy or euphoria or, alternatively, feel depressed or unusually irritable.
The material also cites prevalence estimates that about 4. 4% of U. S. adults experience bipolar disorder at some time in their lives, totaling roughly 11. 3 million people, and notes other well‑known figures who have spoken publicly about bipolar disorder, including Carrie Fisher, Kanye "Ye" West, Selena Gomez and Halsey. For those in crisis, the provided contact options include calling 988 any time or using Crisis Text Line by dialing 741741.
Career highlights and family lineage
Robert Carradine was born on March 24, 1954, and was the youngest son of actor John Carradine. He was the brother of actors David Carradine and Keith Carradine and of Disney Imagineer Christopher Carradine. The actor made his big‑screen debut in 1972 alongside John Wayne in The Cowboys; his brother David encouraged him to audition by saying he "had everything to gain, and nothing to lose. " He appeared in Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets and in Coming Home with Jane Fonda and Jon Voight. He later played Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds and portrayed the father of Hilary Duff's character in the television series Lizzie McGuire.
The Long Riders, Cannes and the horse Z‑Tan
In 1980 Carradine had two films at the Cannes Film Festival: The Big Red One and The Long Riders. Director Walter Hill cast actual brothers to play real‑life outlaw brothers, with Robert, Keith and David Carradine portraying the Younger brothers; James and Stacy Keach as Frank and Jesse James; Randy and Dennis Quaid as the Miller brothers; and Christopher and Nicholas Guest as the Ford brothers. During production, David Carradine purchased a movie horse named Z‑Tan; that horse later lived on Robert Carradine's property in the Hollywood Hills. In the 1980s, it was noted that if you drove Mulholland Drive you might have seen Robert's daughter, actress Ever Carradine, riding Z‑Tan between their home and Runyon Canyon.
Cast and family remembrances
Messages from family and co‑workers conveyed intimacy and admiration. Robert's daughter wrote that growing up in the 1970s and 1980s with a single father in Laurel Canyon shaped her, saying she always knew her father loved her and describing him as "a lover, not a fighter" and "all heart, " urging others to open their hearts and share love. A niece recalled him as "the best one of all eight brothers, " saying he cuddled her during a childhood visit to Los Angeles at about age 8 or 9 and calling him "the best actor of the bunch by a thousand miles, " praising his kindness, love and decency despite human mistakes.
Castmates from the Lizzie McGuire era expressed deep sorrow and surprise to learn he had been suffering, describing warmth in the McGuire family and saying they felt cared for by their on‑screen parents. Another castmate called him one of the coolest people, "funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, always a little eccentric, " and noted his talents as an actor, musician and director, adding that more than anything he was family and someone to look up to. Keith Carradine also characterized his brother as "profoundly gifted, " recalling how funny, wise, accepting and tolerant he could be.
Recent public appearances and premieres
Photographic and event records note that Robert Carradine attended the premiere of the TNT movie Monte Walsh on Jan. 8, 2003, at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank; the SBIFF opening night screening of Ask The Dust on Feb. 2, 2006, at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara; the 18th annual Night of 100 Stars Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Feb. 24, 2008; a "King of the Nerds" panel at a New York convention on Oct. 9, 2014, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City; a performance with Keith Carradine at the 24th and final "A Night at Sardi's" benefit for the Alzheimer's Association at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 9, 2016, in Beverly Hills; the premiere of The Zookeeper's Wife at ArcLight Hollywood on March 27, 2017, in Hollywood; and the 2023 AFI Fest screening of Pee‑Wee's Big Adventure at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Oct. 26, 2023, in Hollywood.
Survivors and the family's request
The family noted Robert Carradine is survived by his children, grandchildren, brothers, nieces and nephews and others who knew him. They asked for privacy as they process their loss and expressed hope that acknowledging his struggle with bipolar disorder will help address the stigma around mental illness.
