Hollywood actor, Robert Carradine, known for his roles in “The Long Riders,” “Revenge of the Nerds” and the television series “Lizzie McGuire,” has died at 71, his management company confirmed to CNN.
He passed away this week, according to statements released by his family.
His family announced the news in a statement to Deadline, saying: “It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away.”
They also spoke about his long struggle with bipolar disorder. “In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to everyone around him.
We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobby’s valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder,” the family statement said.
“We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness,” it added.
Born March 24, 1954, Robert Carradine was the youngest son of late American actor John Carradine.
He was the brother of actors David Carradine and Keith Carradine, as well as Christopher Carradine, a former vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering.
Keith Carradine told Deadline the family wanted to be open about his brother’s condition, saying “We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it.”
“It is an illness that got the best of him, and I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful soul,” he said. “He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day.”
Carradine began his film career in 1972 with “The Cowboys,” starring John Wayne and Roscoe Lee Browne. He went on to build a career across film and television.
He became widely known for playing Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy “Revenge of the Nerds,” a role that led to several sequels. Years later, he introduced himself to younger audiences as Sam McGuire in the Disney series “Lizzie McGuire.”
Hilary Duff, who co-starred in the show, paid tribute on Instagram, writing, “This one hurts. It’s really hard to face this reality about an old friend.”
“I’m deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him,” she wrote.
Jake Thomas, another “Lizzie McGuire” co-star, described Carradine as “one of the coolest guys you could ever meet. Funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, always a little eccentric.”
Carradine’s daughter, Ever Carradine, also shared a message after his passing: “My sweet, funny dad, who’s only 20 years older than I am, who never missed an opportunity to drive me to the airport or tell me how much he loved my homemade salad dressing, is gone.”
“Whenever anyone asks me how I turned out so normal, I always tell them it’s because of my dad.
I knew my dad loved me, I knew it deep in my bones, and I always knew he had my back,” she wrote, before adding: “Rest easy, dad. I love you the most.”