00:00Actor Robert Carradine, best known for his roles in Revenge of the Nerds and the Disney
00:04Channel series Lizzie McGuire, has died at the age of 71. Carradine died by suicide after what
00:11his family described as a valiant, nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder. His
00:16brother, actor Keith Carradine, confirmed the cause of death to Deadline, saying the family
00:21chose to speak openly in hopes of raising awareness about mental illness. In a statement,
00:26the Carradine family said, It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father,
00:31grandfather, uncle, and brother, Robert Carradine, has passed away. In a world that can feel so dark,
00:37Bobby was always a beacon of light to everyone around him. We are bereft at the loss of this
00:42beautiful soul. They added that they hope his journey will help address the stigma attached
00:47to mental illness. Carradine was part of a legendary Hollywood acting family that included his father,
00:52John Carradine, and brothers Keith and David Carradine. He revealed his bipolar disorder
00:57diagnosis following David Carradine's death in 2009. Keith Carradine said of his brother's illness,
01:03It is an illness that got the best of him. We want people to know it, and there is no
01:08shame in it.
01:08He remembered Robert as profoundly gifted, funny, wise, accepting, and tolerant. Robert Carradine's
01:15career spanned more than five decades. He made his film debut in the 1972 western The Cowboys and
01:22appeared in the Martin Scorsese 1973 crime classic Mean Streets. He also starred in the 1978 Vietnam
01:29War drama Coming Home, which was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. However,
01:35he became a household name in 1984 as Louis Skolnick in the hit comedy Revenge of the Nerds.
01:41The film earned $40 million at the box office on a $6 million budget and launched three sequels.
01:47Years later, Carradine recalled having an incredible time making the film,
01:51saying the cast energy helped make it a success. A new generation came to know him as Sam McGuire,
01:57the warm and steady father on Lizzie McGuire, where he appeared in 65 episodes, from 2001 to 2004,
02:04as well as the Lizzie McGuire movie. Following news of his death, tributes poured in from former
02:09co-stars and family members. Hillary Duff, who played his on-screen daughter, wrote,
02:14This one hurts. It's hard to face this reality about an old friend. There was so much warmth in
02:19the McGuire family, and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents. I'm deeply sad to learn
02:25Bobby was suffering. Actor Jake Thomas, who portrayed his son on the show, called Carradine
02:31one of the coolest guys you could ever meet, adding, he was family. His niece, actress Martha
02:37Plimpton, described him as the kindest of the Carradine brothers, and praised both his talent
02:41and his decency. Carradine's eldest daughter, actress Ever Carradine, who starred in The Handmaid's
02:47Tale, shared an emotional tribute, remembering her father is devoted, loving, and always present in
02:53her life. My dad was a lover, not a fighter, she wrote. He was all heart. Robert Carradine is
02:59survived by his children, Ever, Marika, and Ian, as well as extended family members, who say they
03:05will continue honoring both his artistic legacy and his openness about mental health.
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