Robert Carradine, 71, Dies After Long Battle With Bipolar Disorder; Lizzie Mcguire Cast Mourns
Robert Carradine, the actor who played the father on lizzie mcguire and the head nerd Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds, died by suicide at age 71 after what his family described as a nearly two-decade struggle with bipolar disorder.
Family statement and confirmation
Carradine’s family released a statement calling him a “beautiful soul” and acknowledging his “valiant struggle” with bipolar disorder; the family asked for privacy as they grieve. His older brother, Keith Carradine, publicly praised Robert’s humor, wisdom and tolerance and said the illness “got the best of him. ” The family said Robert is survived by children, grandchildren, brothers, nieces and nephews and asked for privacy at this time.
Timing of public confirmations
Statements from the family appeared in the days after his death; different statements were dated Feb. 23 and Feb. 24 in media postings, a discrepancy noted in public announcements. The family’s message emphasized both celebration of his life and the desire to reduce stigma around mental illness.
Family highlighted his battle with bipolar disorder
The family described Carradine’s nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder. Citing a national health definition, the context describes bipolar disorder—formerly called manic depression—as a mental illness that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and concentration. The material notes an estimated 4. 4% of U. S. adults experience bipolar disorder at some time, about 11. 3 million people, and lists public figures who have spoken about the condition, including Carrie Fisher, Kanye "Ye" West, Selena Gomez and Halsey.
Career highlights from The Cowboys to Revenge of the Nerds
Born March 24, 1954, Carradine was the youngest son of actor John Carradine and the brother of David, Keith and Christopher Carradine. He made his big‑screen debut in 1972 in The Cowboys alongside John Wayne. He appeared in Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets and in Hal Ashby’s Coming Home with Jane Fonda and Jon Voight. In 1980 he had two films at the Cannes Film Festival—The Big Red One and The Long Riders, the latter directed by Walter Hill and featuring real brothers cast as real‑life outlaw brothers: 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 that period, David Carradine bought a movie horse named Z‑Tan that later lived on Robert’s Hollywood Hills property, and Robert’s daughter Ever Carradine rode the horse between their home and Runyon Canyon in the 1980s. Perhaps his best‑known comic role came in 1984 when he starred as Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds opposite Anthony Edwards; he later played the on‑screen father to Hilary Duff on Lizzie McGuire.
Lizzie McGuire cast recall his warmth
Castmates from Lizzie McGuire posted memories of Carradine’s warmth and the familial atmosphere on set. A co‑star said she always felt cared for by her on‑screen parents and that she was deeply sad to learn he had been suffering. Another castmate described him as one of the coolest people she knew—funny, pragmatic, eccentric, a talented actor, musician and director who valued family.
Personal tributes from relatives
His daughter, Ever Carradine, wrote that growing up in the 1970s and 1980s with a single dad in Laurel Canyon left her with a clear memory of his love and support and called him “all heart. ” A niece posted that Uncle Bobby cuddled her as a child, praised his kindness and called him the best actor of the family “by a THOUSAND MILES. ” Keith Carradine said his brother was “profoundly gifted” and that the family will miss him every day.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, call 988 any time day or night, or text the Crisis Text Line by dialing 741741. The family has asked for privacy as they make arrangements and mourn Carradine’s passing.
