Robert Carradine Dead: ‘Lizzie McGuire’ & ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ Star Was 71

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Robert Carradine, famous for playing the classic “nerd” in the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds and the father on Hilary Duff’s show Lizzie McGuire, has passed away at age 71. His family announced that he died by suicide after battling bipolar disorder for almost twenty years, describing him as a kind and wonderful person.

The Carradine family announced the death of the actor on Monday, February 23rd, in a statement to Deadline. They shared the cause of death and details about his diagnosis to raise awareness about mental health and fight the stigma surrounding it.

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Robert Carradine, our loving father, grandfather, uncle, and brother. He was a bright light in the lives of everyone who knew him. We are deeply saddened by his loss, especially after his courageous 20-year struggle with bipolar disorder. We hope his story will help reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage others to seek help. We appreciate your understanding and kindness as we grieve this immense loss and ask for privacy during this difficult time.

Robert Carradine’s brother, 76-year-old actor Keith Carradine, fondly remembered him as a humorous, insightful, and unconditionally accepting person. In a statement, Keith explained that the family wanted to share Robert’s battle with mental health, emphasizing that there’s no reason to feel ashamed. While the illness ultimately overwhelmed him, it didn’t change the kind and wonderful person he was at heart.

We want everyone to understand what happened, and there’s absolutely no shame in it. He fought a difficult illness, and I want to remember and celebrate his strength and beautiful spirit. He was an incredibly talented person, and we’ll miss him terribly. We’ll find comfort in remembering his humor, wisdom, and how kind and accepting he was. That was the heart of who my brother was.

Bipolar disorder is a long-term mental health condition that causes significant changes in a person’s mood, energy, and activity. These shifts often involve periods of intense happiness and energy (mania or hypomania) followed by periods of sadness and low energy (depression), which can make everyday life very difficult. Actor Ian Carradine reportedly began struggling with this condition in 2009, after the death of his half-brother, David Carradine, a well-known actor who appeared in over 100 films, including the western The Long Riders, where he starred with his brothers Keith and Robert.

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2026-02-24 14:47