Robert Carradine, the veteran actor best known for his roles in “Revenge of the Nerds” and “Lizzie McGuire,” has died unexpectedly, his family has announced.
Carradine’s family confirmed the 71-year-old Hollywood star’s death in 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,” the statement began.
“In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to everyone around him,” the family said.
“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.”
No cause of death has been revealed.
A Career Spanning Five Decades
Carradine began his acting career in the early 1970s, appearing on “Bonanza” in 1971 and alongside John Wayne in the 1972 Western movie “The Cowboys.”
He went on to work with acclaimed directors including Martin Scorsese in “Mean Streets,” Hal Ashby in “Coming Home,” and Samuel Fuller in the World War II film “The Big Red One.”
His most recognizable role came in 1984 when he portrayed Lewis Skolnick in “Revenge of the Nerds,” a performance that became a defining pop-culture moment of the era.
A new generation came to know him as the on-screen father of Hilary Duff’s character in the Disney Channel series “Lizzie McGuire.”
A Family Legacy in Entertainment
Carradine came from a well-known Hollywood family, though he once said acting was not his original ambition.
In a 2013 interview with Popdose, he reflected:
“I always had a passion to be a race car driver, and that’s what I thought I was going to do, and at some penultimate moment … I think I was sitting with my brother David when ‘The Cowboys’ was being cast, and they were interested in David as the bad guy, and he didn’t want to be the guy that shot John Wayne in the back.”
“But he said, ‘You know, it is called The Cowboys, and they’re meeting all these young guys. Why don’t you go in?’”
That audition helped launch a career that would span more than five decades.
Tributes from Family and Friends
Carradine’s daughter, “The Handmaid’s Tale” actress Ever Carradine, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram.
“My dad died today,” she wrote.
“My sweet, funny dad, who’s only 20 years older than I am, who never missed an opportunity to drive me to the airport or tell me how much he loved my homemade salad dressing, is gone.”
She described him as dependable and present in everyday life:
“If you knew my dad, you know he’s the guy that’s always there.
“Invite him to dinner? He’s in.
“Kid’s Little League game in Simi Valley, just tell him what time.
“Red eye flight and need a ride home from the airport, just text him your column number after you get your bags.”
She added:
“Whenever anyone asks me how I turned out so normal, I always tell them it’s because of my dad. I knew my dad loved me, I knew it deep in my bones, and I always knew he had my back.”
Hilary Duff, his on-screen daughter in “Lizzie McGuire,” also paid tribute:
“This one hurts. It’s really hard to face this reality about an old friend,” she wrote.
“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.”
Carradine’s niece, actress Martha Plimpton, reflected on his character and talent:
“My Uncle Bobby was the best one of all 8 brothers; blood, adopted, and step. Out of all of them, he was the absolute best,” she wrote.
“Also, he was the best actor of the bunch.
“By a THOUSAND MILES.”
She added:
“Because he was KIND.
“He had inherent KINDNESS in him.
“He was dear, and loving, and nonjudgmental.
“And he loved honestly.”
Carradine’s brother, Keith, told Deadline that the family hopes that people will “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.”
Remembering a Hollywood Mainstay
From cult-classic comedies to serious dramatic roles, Robert Carradine built a body of work that spanned generations and genres.
Those closest to him remembered not only his performances but his warmth, humor, and resilience.
He is survived by his family, friends, and a career that left a lasting mark on film and television.
READ MORE – Two-Time WNBA Champion Kara Braxton Dies Unexpectedly at 43
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