Robert Carradine, the veteran actor known for Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire, has died at the age of 71. His family revealed that he died by suicide after a long struggle with bipolar disorder, describing him as a “beacon of light” who touched the lives of many. They hope sharing his story will help reduce the stigma around mental health.
Trigger Warning: This article contains references to suicide.Robert Carradine, the veteran actor known for his role in Revenge of the Nerds and as the father in Lizzie McGuire, has died at the age of 71.
His family confirmed that he took his own life on Monday after nearly two decades of living with bipolar disorder.
They shared the news in a statement, remembering his kind and bright presence in their lives. “In a world that can seem so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light for everyone around him,” they said, asking for privacy as they grieved.
Robert Carradine dies at the age of 71
Deadline also reported, citing a statement from Carradine’s family. They described him as a “beautiful soul” and spoke openly about his long battle with mental illness.
“We are saddened by the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobby’s courageous fight against his nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder,” the family said. They hoped that sharing his story would help reduce the stigma associated with mental health.His older brother, actor Keith Carradine, also spoke about the loss. He said: “It is the disease that he overcame, and I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful spirit.”
He added that there was no shame in illness, and urged people to remember Robert for the warmth and humor he brought to others.
Robert Carradine’s Career and Legacy
Carradine comes from a well-known acting family. He was the son of John Carradine and younger brother of Keith and the late David Carradine. He began his film career in the early 1970s and has built a steady body of work in film and television.He gained widespread attention as Louis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds, a role that became one of his most popular performances.
Years later, he reached new audiences as Sam McGuire on the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire and its film adaptation.Carradine is survived by his children, grandchildren, brothers, nieces and nephews. His family said they will remember him for his strength, sense of humor and everlasting light.Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression or mental illness, please seek professional help immediately from a doctor, mental health expert or NGO. Helplines are also available.
