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Robert Carradine’s manner of death was confirmed by the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office following his death on Monday, February 23.
The veteran actor — best known for his cameos in Lizzie McGuire and Revenge of the Nerds — actually committed suicide earlier this week.
He was 71 years old.
A statement issued by his family earlier said: “It is with deep sadness that we must announce the death of our father, grandfather, uncle and brother, Robert Carradine.”
“In a world that can seem so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light for everyone around him.”
The message continued as follows:
“We are saddened by the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobby’s courageous fight against his nearly two-decade-long battle with bipolar disorder. We hope that his journey will highlight this and encourage tackling the stigma associated with mental illness.”
Robert’s brother, actor Keith Carradine, noted elsewhere that his family wanted the public to know about Robert’s difficulties, adding that “there’s no shame” in bipolar disorder.
“It’s the disease he’s overcome,” Keith told Deadline. “And I want to celebrate him for his struggle with this problem, and celebrate his beautiful spirit. He was so talented, and we will miss him every day. We will take solace in how funny he was, how wise and completely accepting and tolerant he was. That’s just what my little brother was.”
Carradine made his screen debut that day opposite John Wayne in the 1972 film The Cowboys.
His big screen credits include Mean Streets in 1973 and the Oscar-winning film Coming Home in 1978, starring Jane Fonda and Jon Voight.
The veteran star was also known for starring in the comedy Revenge of the Nerds… as one of the titular nerds, Louis Skolnick… and playing Hilary Duff’s on-screen father, Sam, in The Lizzie McGuire Movie and The Lizzie McGuire Movie, from 2001 to 2004.
“This hurts,” Duff wrote on Instagram. “It’s really hard to face that reality about an old friend. There was a lot of warmth in the McGuire family, and I always felt very cared for by my on-screen parents.
“I will forever be grateful for that. I am deeply saddened to know that Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family and everyone who loved him.”
