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Robert Carradine was known for “Revenge of the Nerds” and the TV show “Lizzie McGuire.”
WASHINGTON — Actor Robert Carradine, known for his roles in “Revenge of the Nerds” and “Lizzie McGuire,” has died at age 71.
Deadline reported that Carradine, who struggled with bipolar disorder, apparently died by suicide.
The family issued a statement to Deadline:
“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.”
Carradine’s older brother, actor Keith Carradine, told Deadline he wanted people to know about Robert’s struggle with bipolar disorder.
“We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,” he said. “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.”
Carradine’s first roles in the early 1970s included appearances on “Bonanza,” “Kung Fu” and “The Cowboys.” He had 150 television and movie credits over six decades that included his role as Sam McGuire, the father of Lizzie McGuire on the popular Disney television series.
‘Forever grateful’
Hilary Duff, who played the character Lizzie Maguire, paid tribute to her on-screen dad of many years.
“This one hurts,” she shared in a post on Instagram. “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 the role of Lizzie’s younger brother, reflected on the actor’s legacy and the impact Carradine had on his life.
“My heart hurts today,” Thomas wrote in a post shared on Instagram. “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 being with him and his family throughout my life. Good moments, challenging moments, and lots of laughs between. I looked up to him growing up. And later in life, I came to realize he thought I was pretty neat, too. So I guess I was doing something right in his eyes.”
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