Robert Carradine, Lizzie McGuire and Revenge of the Nerds Star, Dies at 71

Hollywood is mourning the loss of Robert Carradine, the veteran actor best known for his roles in Revenge of the Nerds and Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire. Carradine passed away at the age of 71, with his family confirming he took his own life after living with bipolar disorder for nearly two decades.

Family Statement

In a heartfelt announcement, the Carradine family said they wanted to share his cause of death to raise awareness about mental health stigma. “We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,” his brother Keith told Deadline. The family described Carradine as a “beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother” and a “beacon of light” to those around him.

Keith Carradine added: “It is an illness that got the best of him, and I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful soul. He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day.”

Career Highlights

Born on March 24, 1954, Carradine was the youngest son of actor John Carradine and brother to actors David and Keith Carradine. Encouraged by David, he auditioned for The Cowboys (1972), starring John Wayne, which became his first screen role.

He went on to appear in Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets (1973), the Oscar-winning Coming Home (1978), The Long Riders (1980), The Big Red One (1980), and Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained (2012).

Carradine achieved cult fame in the 1980s as Lewis Skolnick, the head nerd in Revenge of the Nerds, one of the decade’s most popular comedy franchises. In the early 2000s, he found a new generation of fans playing Sam McGuire, Hilary Duff’s father, in Lizzie McGuire.

Tributes From Colleagues

Hilary Duff led tributes to her former on-screen dad, writing on Instagram: “This one hurts. It’s really hard to face this reality about an old friend. There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents. I’ll be forever grateful for that. My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him.”

Carradine’s passing has sparked an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues alike, who remembered his humor, wisdom, and generosity.

Legacy

Carradine’s career spanned more than five decades, and his work bridged generations—from gritty dramas to beloved family television. His family hopes that his story will encourage more open conversations about mental health and help reduce stigma.