Robert Carradine, ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ and ‘Lizzie McGuire’ Star, Dies at 71
Robert Carradine, the actor best known for his roles in Revenge of the Nerds and Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire, has died at the age of 71, his family confirmed.
In a statement, the Carradine family said the actor took his own life after living with bipolar disorder for nearly two decades. They chose to publicly share the cause of death to help combat the stigma surrounding mental illness.
“We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,” his brother Keith Carradine told Deadline.
Born on March 24, 1954, Carradine was the youngest son of actor John Carradine and the brother of actors David Carradine and Keith Carradine. Encouraged by David, he landed his first film role in 1972’s The Cowboys alongside John Wayne.
He went on to build a diverse career, appearing in acclaimed films such as Mean Streets, Coming Home, The Long Riders, The Big Red One and Django Unchained.
However, Carradine became a pop culture icon as Lewis Skolnick, the lovable underdog in the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds, which spawned a successful franchise. A new generation came to know him as Sam McGuire, the father of the title character in Lizzie McGuire.
Hilary Duff, who played Lizzie, paid tribute on Instagram, writing: “This one hurts. It’s really hard to face this reality about an old friend.” She added that she always felt cared for by her on-screen parents and expressed sadness that Carradine had been suffering.
In their statement, Carradine’s family described him as a “beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother” and a “beacon of light” to those around him. They expressed hope that sharing his story would encourage more open conversations about mental health and reduce stigma.
“He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day,” Keith Carradine said. “We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available through local mental health services and suicide prevention hotlines.
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