Robert Carradine, best known for his roles in The Long Riders, Revenge of the Nerds, and Lizzie McGuire, is dead at 71.
The youngest son of prolific actor John Carradine, Robert was the “bedrock of his family,” according to older brother Keith Carradine. Robert lived with bipolar disorder for two decades before ending his life on February 23. His family shared the news of his passing in the following statement to Deadline:
“It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away. 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. We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness. At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion.”
Robert Carradine was born to John Carradine and Sonia Sorel on March 24, 1954. He is the youngest of four, brother to actors David Carradine, Keith Carradine, and Disney Imagineer Christopher Carradine. His on-screen debut came in 1972 alongside John Wayne in The Cowboys. Other early roles include Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets (1973) and Hal Ashby’s Oscar-winning Coming Home (1978). He starred alongside brothers David and Keith in The Long Riders. Robert’s biggest role came in 1984 when he played head nerd Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds.
Keith Carradine said his family didn’t try to hide what he called his brother’s “valiant struggle” with bipolar disorder.
“We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,” he said. “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 was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day. We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was. That’s who my baby brother was.”
Robert Carradine leaves behind his three children, grandchildren, brothers, nieces, and nephews. His family asks for privacy at this time. Those who knew him best remember him as having a loving heart.