Robert Carradine’s Death and Family Statement
Robert Carradine, an actor known for his roles in Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire, has died at the age of 71. His family revealed that he died by suicide after a prolonged struggle with bipolar disorder, aiming to raise awareness about mental health.
“It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away,” the family stated on Monday.
“In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on 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.”
Family Reflections and Mental Health Advocacy
Keith Carradine, Robert’s older brother and fellow actor, spoke to Deadline about the family’s intention to openly discuss Robert’s mental health challenges.
“We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,” Keith said. “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.”
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Robert Carradine was born in 1954 as the youngest son of actor John Carradine and the youngest among four actor brothers: David, Keith, and Christopher. His acting career began in 1972 with a film debut alongside John Wayne in The Cowboys. He subsequently appeared in the Oscar-winning film Coming Home and had a minor role in Martin Scorsese’s 1973 film Mean Streets, in which he portrayed a character who shot his brother David.
Notable Film Roles and Collaborations
In 1980, Carradine appeared in The Long Riders alongside his brothers David and Keith, portraying the Younger brothers, a historical outlaw family. The film also featured Randy and Dennis Quaid as the Miller brothers, Stacy and James Keach as Frank and Jesse James, and Christopher and Nicholas Guest as the Ford brothers.
Revenge of the Nerds and Later Television Work
Carradine’s most prominent role was as Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds. To prepare for the role, he spent time undercover at the University of Arizona, convincing actual students that he was a genuine nerd. He reprised this role in three sequels released in 1987, 1992, and 1994.
Later in his career, Carradine became familiar to a new generation as Sam McGuire, the father of the title character in the children’s television series Lizzie McGuire. He appeared alongside Hilary Duff in 65 episodes from 2001 to 2004.
Personal Life and Family
Robert Carradine had a daughter, actress Ever Carradine, with Susan Snyder. He later married Edith Mani, with whom he had two children, Marika and Ian. The couple divorced in 2015 after 25 years of marriage.
During the divorce proceedings in 2017, it was revealed that Edith Mani Carradine had attempted to kill both herself and Robert in a car crash in Colorado in 2015. Carradine admitted that he was in a “psychotic state” at the time.
Mental Health and Legacy
Carradine’s family disclosed that his mental illness was triggered by the death of his brother. He was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which he battled for nearly two decades before his death.
