Robert Carradine: Lizzie Mcguire Star Dies After Long Battle With Bipolar Disorder
Robert Carradine, who appeared as a father figure on the Disney show lizzie mcguire and rose to fame in Revenge of the Nerds, has died by suicide at age 71. The development is significant not only for fans of his work but for renewed public attention on long-term mental illness and the stigma that can surround it.
Lizzie McGuire connection and immediate confirmation
News of Carradine's death was confirmed late Monday, Feb. 23, with a Feb. 24 statement from his brother Keith Carradine acknowledging the loss. The family described Robert as having engaged in a valiant struggle with bipolar disorder for nearly two decades and asked for privacy as they grieve.
Family statement and the scope of his struggle
The family statement described Robert Carradine as a beloved father, grandfather, uncle and brother, and called him a beacon of light to those around him. The family said he had struggled with bipolar disorder for roughly two decades and that the illness ultimately got the best of him. They asked for privacy and expressed gratitude for understanding and compassion as they mourn.
Career highlights: Revenge of the Nerds, The Long Riders and earlier work
Born on March 24, 1954, Robert Carradine 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 alongside John Wayne in The Cowboys and went on to appear in Mean Streets and Coming Home with Jane Fonda and Jon Voight.
In 1980 he appeared in two films at Cannes: Samuel Fuller’s The Big Red One, opposite Mark Hamill and Lee Marvin, and Walter Hill’s The Long Riders, in which he performed alongside brothers Keith and David Carradine. Walter Hill cast real brothers to portray 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.
His most widely recognized film role came in 1984 when he starred as Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds. He later appeared as the on-screen father to Hilary Duff on lizzie mcguire, a role that connected him with a younger generation of viewers.
Personal anecdotes, family memories and survivors
Family members and former castmates have shared memories emphasizing his warmth, kindness and sense of humor. His daughter reflected on growing up with him as a single dad in Laurel Canyon during the 1970s and 1980s, noting his love and steady presence. A niece recalled his tenderness and declared him by far the best actor in the extended family while acknowledging his human imperfections.
Co-stars from the show remembered the warmth of the McGuire family and expressed sadness that Carradine was struggling. His brother Keith highlighted Robert’s humor, wisdom and acceptance, saying he was profoundly gifted and will be missed every day.
Robert Carradine is survived by his children, grandchildren, brothers, nieces and nephews, and ‘‘anyone who had the honor of having him in their life, ’’ and his family has asked for privacy during their mourning.
On-set anecdotes and Hollywood life
On the set of The Long Riders, a personal story in the family history continued: David Carradine bought a movie horse named Z-Tan during shooting, which later lived on Robert’s property in the Hollywood Hills. Family recollections include an image of Robert’s daughter Ever Carradine riding that horse between their home and Runyon Canyon on Mulholland Drive in the 1980s.
Public appearances across decades included premieres and festival events: the Monte Walsh premiere on Jan. 8, 2003, at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank; the SBIFF opening night on Feb. 2, 2006, at the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara; the Night of 100 Stars gala on Feb. 24, 2008, at The Beverly Hills Hotel; a King of the Nerds panel on Oct. 9, 2014, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York; A Night at Sardi’s on March 9, 2016, at The Beverly Hilton; a premiere on March 27, 2017, at ArcLight Hollywood; and an AFI Fest screening on Oct. 26, 2023, at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Bipolar disorder context and help resources
The family noted Carradine’s long battle with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health as a condition that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and concentration. There are three types — Bipolar I disorder, Bipolar II disorder and Cyclothymic disorder — each varying in symptoms. Bipolar I is defined by manic episodes that last at least one week; manic episodes are described as prolonged periods of mood instability in which a person can experience extreme increases in energy or euphoria, or alternatively feel depressed or unusually irritable.
The National Institute of Mental Health notes an estimated 4. 4% of U. S. adults experience bipolar disorder at some time in their lives, a figure that translates to roughly 11. 3 million people. Several high-profile entertainers have publicly discussed living with bipolar disorder, including Carrie Fisher, Kanye "Ye" West, Selena Gomez and Halsey.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available: call 988 any time, day or night, or use the Crisis Text Line by dialing 741741 for free, 24/7 confidential support.
