Robert Carradine, a Lizzie Mcguire Dad, Dies at 71 After Long Battle With Bipolar Disorder
Robert Carradine, who played the on-screen father in Lizzie McGuire and starred in Revenge of the Nerds, died by suicide at age 71, his family said. The family made public a statement describing a nearly two‑decade battle with bipolar disorder and asked for privacy while they grieve.
Family statement and Keith Carradine’s words
The family said in a written statement: “It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away. ” They added, “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. ” The statement asked for privacy and thanked readers for understanding and compassion.
Keith Carradine, Robert’s brother, also spoke about his sibling’s struggle, calling him “profoundly gifted” and saying, “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. ” Keith urged people to know there is no shame in mental illness and to recognize his brother’s valiant fight.
Career from The Cowboys to Lizzie McGuire
Born on March 24, 1954, Robert Carradine was the youngest son of actor John Carradine and a brother of actors David Carradine, Keith Carradine and Christopher Carradine. He made his big‑screen debut in 1972 alongside John Wayne in The Cowboys, appeared in Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets and in Coming Home with Jane Fonda and Jon Voight.
In 1980, he had two films at the Cannes Film Festival: The Big Red One and Walter Hill’s The Long Riders, which cast real brothers — Robert, Keith and David — as the Younger brothers. A widely remembered breakthrough came in 1984 when he played Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds opposite Anthony Edwards. He later appeared as the father of Hilary Duff’s character on the television series lizzie mcguire.
Appearances, family anecdotes and survivors
Over the years Carradine remained visible at industry events: the premiere of Monte Walsh on Jan. 8, 2003; the SBIFF opening night on Feb. 2, 2006; the Night of 100 Stars on Feb. 24, 2008; a New York Comic Con panel on Oct. 9, 2014; A Night at Sardi’s on March 9, 2016; the premiere of The Zookeeper’s Wife on March 27, 2017; and the AFI Fest screening of Pee‑Wee’s Big Adventure on Oct. 26, 2023.
The family noted he is survived by his children, grandchildren, brothers, nieces and nephews. They asked for privacy at this time. An anecdote included in family recollections said his movie horse Z‑Tan later lived on Carradine’s Hollywood Hills property and that his daughter, actress Ever Carradine, rode the horse in the 1980s between their home and Runyon Canyon.
Bipolar disorder: how the family framed his struggle
The family framed Carradine’s death in the context of a long struggle with bipolar disorder, saying it “got the best of him. ” The broader medical description included in coverage notes that bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and concentration. Coverage spelled out that there are three types — Bipolar I disorder, Bipolar II disorder and Cyclothymic disorder — and defined Bipolar I as involving manic episodes that last at least one week and can include extreme increases in energy or euphoria or periods of depression or unusual irritability.
Public health figures cited in context list an estimated 4. 4% of U. S. adults experiencing bipolar disorder at some point, totaling about 11. 3 million people. The coverage also noted other public figures who have spoken about their experiences with bipolar disorder, including Carrie Fisher, Kanye "Ye" West, Selena Gomez and Halsey.
Cast and family reactions
Family members and colleagues shared memories and grief. Ever Carradine, his daughter, wrote about growing up with a single father in Laurel Canyon and said she always knew he loved her and had her back. A niece praised him as “the best one of all 8 brothers” and called him kind and nonjudgmental. Castmates from Lizzie McGuire recalled warmth from the McGuire family and expressed sadness to learn Carradine had been suffering; another co‑star described him as funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, talented and family‑oriented.
Keith Carradine summed his brother up: “He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day. ”
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call 988 any time day or night or text 741741 for confidential support.
The family has asked for privacy as they grieve and has not announced any public memorial plans; at this time, no further events are confirmed.
