SUMMARY
- Robert Carradine died at age 71 following a long career in film and television.
- The actor was widely recognized for “Revenge of the Nerds” and “Lizzie McGuire.”
- His family highlighted his struggle with bipolar disorder, urging awareness of mental health stigma.
LOS ANGELES — Robert Carradine, the American actor known for his roles in “Revenge of the Nerds” and the Disney Channel series “Lizzie McGuire,” has died at age 71, according to a statement from his management company to CNN.
His family confirmed his death in a statement to Deadline but did not specify the cause, citing a nearly two decade battle with bipolar disorder.
Carradine’s death marks the loss of a performer whose career spanned more than five decades across studio films, independent cinema and television.
He was part of the multigenerational Carradine acting family and built a distinct screen identity separate from his father and brothers.
Born March 24, 1954, Carradine was the youngest son of actor John Carradine and brother to actors David Carradine and Keith Carradine.
He made his film debut in 1972’s “The Cowboys,” starring John Wayne, before rising to prominence as Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy “Revenge of the Nerds.”
The film became a box office success and generated multiple sequels, cementing his status in 1980s Hollywood.
Two decades later, Carradine gained a new audience portraying Sam McGuire, the father in Disney Channel’s “Lizzie McGuire,” opposite Hilary Duff.
Duff wrote on Instagram that she felt “so cared for by my on-screen parents,” while co-star Jake Thomas described him as “funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky.”
The family’s statement emphasized Carradine’s struggle with bipolar disorder and called for reducing stigma surrounding mental illness.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder affects an estimated 2.8 percent of US adults annually, underscoring the prevalence of the condition.
Dr. Christine Moutier, chief medical officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, said public acknowledgment by families can “help normalize conversations about mental health and encourage people to seek care.”
She noted that stigma remains a barrier to treatment globally. Carradine’s career reflected shifts in Hollywood comedy and family television, bridging 1970s Western dramas, 1980s studio comedies and early 2000s youth programming.
His family said they hope his journey will “shine a light” on mental health awareness. Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
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