Actor Robert Carradine, best known for his roles in “Revenge of the Nerds” (1984) and the popular Disney series “Lizzie McGuire” (2001-2004), has died in Los Angeles at 71.
His family shared that he died following a “valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder.” His daughter Ever confirmed that Robert died by suicide, as the New York Times reported.
Carradine was born in 1954 in Los Angeles to the famed Carradine family. His father John and was an actor, along with his brother David Carradine of “Kung Fu” and “Kill Bill.” His other brother Christopher was a Disney Imagineer, per Variety. Carradine began to be recognized after appearing in the 1972 western “The Cowboys” alongside John Wayne.
Carradine got major props for his role in the Oscar-winning Vietnam War drama “Coming Home” (1978) alongside Jane Fonda and Jon Voight. He also appeared in other Hollywood projects, including “The Big Red One” (1980), “The Long Riders” (1980), “Body Bags” (1993), “Escape from L.A.” (1996), and “Django Unchained” (2012).
His brother Keith Carradine said in a statement that mental health struggles are nothing to be ashamed of.
“We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,” he said, per Deadline. “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.”
The Hollywood star was also remembered by actress Hilary Duff, who played his daughter in “Lizzie McGuire.”
“This one hurts,” she shared on Instagram Monday night. “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 Carradine’s son in “Lizzie McGuire,” also paid tribute to his late co-star with an Instagram post.
“My heart hurts today,” the actor wrote. “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 of being with him and his family throughout my life. Good moments, challenging moments and lots of laughs in between.”
“I looked up to him growing up. And later, I came to realize he thought I was pretty neat, too. So I guess I was doing something right,” he concluded.
Carradine is survived by his three children.
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