Robert Carradine, ‘Lizzie Mcguire’ Actor, Dies at 71 After Nearly Two-Decade Battle With Bipolar Disorder
Robert Carradine, the actor who played the father on Lizzie McGuire and starred in Revenge of the Nerds, died at 71 after a long struggle with mental illness. The timing of the family statements in late February has focused attention on his nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder and sparked renewed public discussion about stigma and crisis resources.
Family Statement and February Timeline
The family issued a statement late Monday, Feb. 23 saying Carradine took his own life. An additional statement from his brother, actor Keith Carradine, was released on Feb. 24. The family statement described Carradine as “a beacon of light” who was beloved as a father, grandfather, uncle and brother, and asked for privacy while grieving. Keith Carradine said the family wanted people to know that Bobby had waged a valiant, nearly 20-year struggle with bipolar disorder and emphasized that there is no shame in that illness.
Bipolar Disorder, National Institute of Mental Health Guidance and Crisis Resources
The family and commentators cited bipolar disorder as the central factor in the actor’s decline. The National Institute of Mental Health defines bipolar disorder as a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and concentration. The institute states an estimated 4. 4% of U. S. adults experience bipolar disorder at some time in their lives, totaling about 11. 3 million people. It notes three types of the condition—Bipolar I, Bipolar II and cyclothymic disorder—and defines Bipolar I as marked by manic episodes that last at least one week. In the wake of Carradine’s death, crisis contacts were reiterated as available: call 988 any time, or text 741741 for confidential support.
Career Milestones: The Cowboys, Mean Streets, The Long Riders and Revenge of the Nerds
Carradine’s screen work stretched back to the early 1970s. Born March 24, 1954, he was the youngest son of actor John Carradine and the brother of David Carradine, Keith Carradine and Christopher Carradine. He made his big‑screen debut in 1972 in The Cowboys opposite John Wayne, a role his brother David encouraged him to audition for. He appeared in Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets and in Coming Home alongside Jane Fonda and Jon Voight. In 1980 he had two films at the Cannes Film Festival: Samuel Fuller’s The Big Red One, with Mark Hamill and Lee Marvin, and Walter Hill’s The Long Riders, in which he and his brothers David and Keith played the Younger brothers.
Production Details and Personal Anecdotes from The Long Riders
On The Long Riders, director Walter Hill cast real brothers to portray outlaw siblings—Robert, Keith and David as 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 shooting, David Carradine bought a movie horse named Z‑Tan; that horse later lived on Robert Carradine’s property in the Hollywood Hills. Family recollections note that, in the 1980s, Robert’s daughter Ever Carradine could sometimes be seen riding Z‑Tan between their home and Runyon Canyon along Mulholland Drive.
Lizzie McGuire Cast and Family Remembrances
Carradine is widely remembered for his turn as the father of Hilary Duff’s character on Lizzie McGuire. Castmates and family members have posted tributes on social media. His daughter described growing up with him and said she always knew he loved her and had her back, calling him “all heart. ” A niece praised him as the best of the eight brothers—blood, adopted and step—and called him kind, loving and the best actor of the bunch. A Lizzie McGuire co‑star said the warmth of the McGuire family set the cast at ease and expressed deep sadness that Carradine had been suffering; another castmate described him as funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, but always family‑oriented and talented as an actor, musician and director.
Survivors and Family Request
Robert Carradine is survived by his children, grandchildren, brothers, nieces and nephews, and many who counted him as part of their lives. The family reiterated its request for privacy as they grieve. What makes this notable is how the family used the announcement to press for broader recognition of mental illness: they framed Carradine’s death as the tragic end of a lengthy illness and urged that his struggle be part of efforts to reduce stigma in the public conversation.
