Beloved Actor Robert Carradine Dies at 71, Leaving a Powerful Legacy Behind

Robert Carradine, the actor best known for “Revenge of the Nerds” and Disney’s “Lizzie McGuire,” has died at 71. His family confirmed his death early Tuesday in Los Angeles, stating he “succumbed to” complications related to a nearly 20‑year battle with bipolar disorder. The announcement came just after dawn, leaving fans and colleagues reeling as the industry absorbs the loss of a man whose career stretched across five decades.

A Family’s Pain Made Public

Carradine’s family didn’t shy away from the truth behind his death. In a statement shared with Deadline, they revealed that Robert Carradine had died by suicide after living with bipolar disorder for more than 20 years. “In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to everyone around him,” the family said, emphasizing their hope that speaking openly might help destigmatize mental illness.

His daughter, actress Ever Carradine, echoed that sentiment in her own tribute on People. She described her father as a man of “love, kindness, and unwavering support,” adding that the two “were in it together” through the hardest moments of his illness. Her words painted a picture of a father who fought quietly but fiercely, even as the weight of his condition grew heavier.

Hollywood Reacts to the Loss

Tributes poured in almost immediately. Hilary Duff, who played his on‑screen daughter in “Lizzie McGuire,” shared photos and a raw message about how deeply his death hit her. She called him a steady, grounding presence on set—someone who made the work feel lighter even when life wasn’t. NBC News confirmed that Carradine’s brother and manager, Keith Carradine, also released a statement acknowledging the long struggle Robert endured before his death.

Carradine’s career spanned everything from cult‑classic comedies to family‑friendly TV, and his death leaves a noticeable void. For many, he wasn’t just a character actor—he was a familiar face woven into childhoods, college dorm movie nights, and late‑night reruns.

A Legacy That Won’t Fade

Robert Carradine’s death is a gut punch, not just because of the loss itself but because of the honesty surrounding it. His family’s openness about mental illness feels like a final act of courage on his behalf—a reminder that even those who make us laugh and feel at ease can be fighting battles we never see.

His work lives on, but so does the conversation his family hopes to spark. And maybe that’s the most meaningful legacy of all.