Hollywood has lost one of its most beloved character actors. Robert Carradine, the warm and endlessly likable star of “Lizzie McGuire” and “Revenge of the Nerds,” died on February 23, 2026, at the age of 71. His family confirmed he took his own life after nearly two decades of battling bipolar disorder.
The news sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, triggering an outpouring of grief from co-stars, fans, and fellow members of one of Hollywood’s most storied acting dynasties.
A Family Statement That Broke Hearts
In a statement, Carradine’s family called him a “beacon of light” in a world that can feel dark and described his struggle with mental illness as “valiant.” The family said they hope his journey helps shine a light on the stigma surrounding bipolar disorder and asked for privacy as they grieve.
His older brother Keith Carradine said the family wants people to understand there is “no shame” in the illness that ultimately got the best of him, remembering Robert as profoundly gifted, funny, wise, and accepting.
Robert Carradine: The Man Behind the Roles
Born into one of Hollywood’s great acting families in 1954, Carradine was the son of legendary actor John Carradine and the brother of David, Keith, and Christopher Carradine. He racked up more than 150 acting credits over a career that spanned more than five decades, and he had a gift for making every role feel lived-in and real.
His breakout film was the 1972 western “The Cowboys,” in which he appeared alongside John Wayne. From there, he never looked back. He appeared in Martin Scorsese’s “Mean Streets,” the Vietnam War drama “Coming Home” alongside Jane Fonda and Jon Voight, and the cult action film “Escape from L.A.”
But it was two roles that truly cemented his place in the pop culture canon. His portrayal of Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy “Revenge of the Nerds” turned him into a symbol of the underdog, a film that generations of viewers have returned to again and again. And from 2001 to 2004, he played the good-natured, devoted dad Sam McGuire on Disney Channel’s “Lizzie McGuire,” a role that introduced him to an entirely new generation of fans.
Hilary Duff and Co-Stars React with Grief
The tributes came fast and hard. Hilary Duff, who played Carradine’s on-screen daughter in “Lizzie McGuire,” shared her grief in an emotional tribute. “This one hurts,” she wrote. “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 also starred in the show, wrote: “My heart hurts today. I was fortunate to know Bobby for most of my life. And he was one of the coolest guys you could ever meet.”
Perhaps the most moving words came from his niece, actress Martha Plimpton, who wrote: “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.”
The Man Behind the Curtain
Away from cameras, Carradine was described by those who loved him as someone who was impossible not to adore. He is remembered as all heart, friends with anyone he met from every corner of his life, incapable of holding grudges, kind, and funny.
He was a regular at Little League games and horse shows, always jumped at the opportunity to babysit his grandkids, and cherished every moment with family. His daughter Ever Carradine, who starred in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” wrote that he never missed a chance to drive her to the airport and always told her how much he loved her homemade salad dressing. Small details, but they paint a full and beautiful picture of the man he was.
A Legacy That Will Endure
Robert Carradine leaves behind three children, grandchildren, and a career’s worth of performances that made people laugh, cry, and root for the little guy. His family’s decision to speak openly about bipolar disorder in the wake of his death is itself a courageous act, one that mirrors the openness and warmth Robert apparently brought to every room he ever walked into.
He was 71. He was loved. And he will not be forgotten.
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