Ever Carradine, Co‑stars and Family Remember Robert Carradine After His Death at 71
Robert Carradine, the actor best known for Revenge of the Nerds and for playing the father on Lizzie McGuire, died by suicide at age 71. The loss has prompted public tributes from family, including ever carradine, and castmates while his relatives stress his long struggle with bipolar disorder and ask for privacy.
Ever Carradine and Family Tributes
Tributes have come from across Carradine’s family and from former co‑workers. His daughter, actress Ever Carradine, is among those remembering him; recollections include an image of family life and an anecdote that in the 1980s ever carradine was sometimes seen riding the family horse between their Hollywood Hills home and Runyon Canyon. Relatives described a warm, loving father who provided stability through a childhood in Laurel Canyon, a sentiment echoed in posts that emphasized his tenderness—"a lover, not a fighter"—and the deep sense of being loved by him.
Other relatives called him the most kind and talented of the extended Carradine clan, describing early memories of being cuddled on visits and praising his acting ability. Castmates from Lizzie McGuire have said they felt cared for by his on‑screen family, and they expressed sorrow that he was suffering, noting the warmth he brought to that set.
Keith Carradine on Bipolar Disorder and the Family Statement
Keith Carradine confirmed his brother’s death in a Feb. 24 statement and families issued a public message noting "profound sadness" at the loss. The family called Robert a beloved father, grandfather, uncle and brother, described him as "a beacon of light, " and asked for privacy as they grieve. They also emphasized his "valiant struggle against his nearly two‑decade battle with Bipolar Disorder, " urging that his journey help reduce stigma around mental illness.
Keith further characterized the illness as one that ultimately "got the best of him" while celebrating Robert’s humor, wisdom and tolerance, saying he would be missed every day. The family listed survivors as his children, grandchildren, brothers, nieces and nephews and asked for understanding and compassion while they grieve.
Career Highlights: The Long Riders, The Cowboys and More
Born March 24, 1954, Robert 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 opposite John Wayne in The Cowboys after being encouraged to audition by his brother David. Early credits include Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets and Coming Home with Jane Fonda and Jon Voight; that work prompted commentary that he might be the finest actor in his family.
In 1980 he had two films show at Cannes: Samuel Fuller’s The Big Red One and Walter Hill’s The Long Riders, which cast real brothers in the outlaw roles—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. His most widely recognized role came in 1984 as Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds, opposite Anthony Edwards, and later generations knew him for his role as Hilary Duff’s on‑screen father in Lizzie McGuire.
Public Appearances, the Horse Z‑Tan and Personal Moments
Carradine’s public life included a long list of festival and gala appearances: the premiere of Monte Walsh on Jan. 8, 2003; the Santa Barbara International Film Festival opening with Ask The Dust on Feb. 2, 2006; a Night of 100 Stars Gala on Feb. 24, 2008; a King of the Nerds panel at New York Comic Con on Oct. 9, 2014; the 24th Night at Sardi’s benefit on March 9, 2016; the premiere of The Zookeeper’s Wife on March 27, 2017; and an AFI Fest screening on Oct. 26, 2023.
During production of The Long Riders, his brother David bought the movie horse Z‑Tan; the horse later lived on Robert’s Hollywood Hills property and became part of family life, remembered in the anecdote about his daughter riding between home and Runyon Canyon.
Mental Health Context and Resources
The family has framed Carradine’s death as the culmination of a nearly two‑decade struggle with bipolar disorder. The National Institute of Mental Health defines bipolar disorder as a condition that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and concentration and notes there are three types—Bipolar I, Bipolar II and Cyclothymic disorder. Bipolar I is characterized by manic episodes that last at least one week and can include extreme increases in energy or euphoria, or periods of depression and irritability.
National figures cited for the condition put lifetime prevalence at roughly 4. 4% of U. S. adults, about 11. 3 million people, and public conversation has included other high‑profile figures who have discussed their own experiences with bipolar disorder. The family reiterated that there is no shame in the illness and urged attention to stigma and care. For anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts, immediate help is available by calling 988 or by using the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
What makes this notable is the way Carradine’s public life—decades of film roles, festival appearances and familial anecdotes—intersects with a private, prolonged struggle that his family has chosen to place at the center of their public response, framing the loss as both personal and a prompt to address mental‑health stigma.
