Robert Carradine Dies at 71 After Long Battle With Bipolar Disorder

Robert Carradine, the versatile actor known for memorable performances in Revenge of the Nerds, The Long Riders, and the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire, has died at the age of 71. His family confirmed that he took his own life after a nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder.

In a heartfelt statement, his family said, "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 of 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."

His older brother, Keith Carradine, emphasized the family's desire to speak openly about Robert's illness. "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."

Born March 24, 1954, Robert Carradine was the youngest son of legendary actor John Carradine and part of a storied Hollywood family that included brothers David Carradine and Keith. He made his film debut in 1972 alongside John Wayne in The Cowboys, after David encouraged him to audition.

Carradine quickly forged his own path. He appeared in Coming Home, directed by Hal Ashby and starring Jane Fonda and Jon Voight. He followed that with a role in Mean Streets from director Martin Scorsese. In 1980, he had two films at the Cannes Film Festival: Samuel Fuller's The Big Red One and Walter Hill's The Long Riders, in which he starred alongside his brothers as the Younger siblings in a film that famously cast real-life brothers as outlaw brothers.

His most iconic role came in 1984 with Revenge of the Nerds, where he played head nerd Lewis Skolnick. The film became a defining comedy of the decade and cemented his place in pop culture. Years later, he won over a new generation as the father in the Disney Channel hit Lizzie McGuire.

Beyond acting, Carradine nurtured deep passions for music and racing. Though he never formally trained or learned to read music, he loved playing guitar, often performing with his brothers and appearing at The Sheridan Opera House in Telluride, Colorado. He also shared the stage with Peter Yarrow and Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and in the late 1980s formed a band called The Waybacks with Mare Winningham.

Another lifelong love was racecar driving. Starting with go-karts at age 11, Carradine eventually raced at the Grand Prix level and drove for Team Lotus alongside Paul Newman. He often said racing was his true love because winning meant "no one was better than him."

Family remained at the center of his life. He raised his eldest daughter, actress Ever Carradine, as a single father before later welcoming two more children, Marika and Ian.

Robert Carradine is survived by his children, grandchildren, brothers, nieces, nephews, and countless friends. Remembered as kind, funny, tolerant, and incapable of holding grudges, he was, as his family said, "a beacon of light" in the lives of those who loved him.