Robert Carradine dies at 71

Robert Carradine, the actor known for his performances in “Revenge of the Nerds”, “The Long Riders” and the Disney series “Lizzie McGuire”, has died at the age of 71, his management confirmed.

In a statement shared with US media, Carradine’s family expressed deep sorrow at his passing, describing him as a source of light and warmth to those around him. They also revealed that he had been living with bipolar disorder for nearly two decades, calling attention to the importance of addressing the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Carradine was born on March 24, 1954, into the prominent Carradine acting family. He was the youngest son of veteran actor John Carradine and the brother of actors David and Keith Carradine.

Keith Carradine said the family chose to speak openly about Robert’s mental health struggles to remove any sense of shame and to honour his resilience. He described his brother as deeply gifted and said he would be missed every day.

Robert Carradine made his film debut in 1972’s “The Cowboys”, starring John Wayne. He went on to build a long career spanning film and television. He achieved widespread recognition in 1984 as Lewis Skolnick in the comedy “Revenge of the Nerds”, a role that led to multiple sequels and cemented his place in pop culture.

Years later, he introduced himself to a new generation of viewers as Sam McGuire, the father in Disney’s hit television series “Lizzie McGuire”, starring Hilary Duff.

Following news of his death, several former co-stars paid tribute. Hilary Duff shared that she was deeply saddened to learn of his struggles, while actor Jake Thomas remembered him as funny, pragmatic and uniquely eccentric.

Carradine’s daughter, actress Ever Carradine, also posted an emotional message, recalling her father’s constant support and unwavering love.

Throughout his decades-long career, Robert Carradine remained a familiar presence in Hollywood, leaving behind a body of work that resonated with audiences across generations.