Robert Carradine, an American actor best known for his roles in the 1984 comedy film “Revenge of the Nerds” and the 2001 Disney Channel series “Lizzie McGuire,” has died by suicide at the age of 71.
“It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away. In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him. We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobby’s valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder. We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness. At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion," the actor's family said in a statement on Monday.
Keith Carradine said the family wanted to know about what he called his brother’s valiant struggle with Bipolar Disorder.
“We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,” he 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. We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was. That’s who my baby brother was.”
Robert Carradine is survived by his children, grandchildren, brothers, nieces, nephews and anyone who had the honor of having him in their life. His family asks for privacy at this time.
Hilary Duff, who played Carradine’s titular on-screen daughter in “Lizzie McGuire,” mourned his death in an Instagram tribute posted on Monday night.
“This one hurts,” she wrote. “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. I’m deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family and everyone who loved him.”
Jake Thomas, who played Carradine’s son Matt McGuire on the Disney sitcom, also shared a tribute on Instagram.
“My heart hurts today,” he wrote. “I was fortunate to know Bobby for most of my life. And he was one of the coolest guys you could ever meet. Funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, always a little eccentric. He was a talented actor, musician and director. But more than anything, he was family. I have many fond memories of being with him and his family throughout my life. Good moments, challenging moments and lots of laughs in between.”
He added, “I looked up to him growing up. And later, I came to realize he thought I was pretty neat, too. So I guess I was doing something right.”
Robert Carradine starred alongside Anthony Edwards in Jeff Kanew’s 1984 cult classic “Revenge of the Nerds.”
In “Lizzie McGuire,” he played the McGuire family patriarch, Sam. His other notable film credits include “Escape from L.A.,” “The Big Red One,” “Body Bags,” “The Long Riders” and “Django Unchained.”
The late actor was born in 1954 to a family of entertainers. His father was actor John Carradine.
Two of his brothers, David and Keith Carradine, were actors and filmmakers, while his third sibling, Christopher Carradine, was a Disney Imagineer.
He landed his breakout film in the 1972 western “The Cowboys,” in which he appeared alongside John Wayne.
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