Robert Carradine Dies at 71 After Long Battle With Bipolar Disorder
Robert Carradine’s family is remembering him not only as an actor, but as a light in their lives.
The performer, beloved by many for his role on Lizzie McGuire, d!ed at 71 following what his family described as a nearly two decade battle with Bipolar Disorder.
They confirmed the news on Feb. 23, sharing a heartfelt statement about the man they called Bobby.
“In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light,” the family said, asking for privacy as they grieve.
They also spoke candidly about his long struggle with mental illness, expressing hope that his journey might help reduce stigma and encourage open conversations. An official cause of d@ath has not been released.
His brother, Keith Carradine, echoed that sentiment, saying the family wanted to be transparent.
“There is no shame in it,” he said, describing Bipolar Disorder as an illness that ultimately got the best of him.
Keith chose to focus on celebrating Robert’s strength, humor, wisdom and deep acceptance of others. “That’s who my baby brother was,” he added.
Carradine’s career stretched across decades. Early appearances in films like Mean Streets, Coming Home and The Long Riders established him as a versatile presence on screen.
He also appeared in his brother David Carradine’s series Kung Fu before landing a defining role as Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds.
A new generation came to know him in 2001 when he stepped into the role of Sam McGuire, father to Hilary Duff’s title character on Lizzie McGuire.
He reprised the part in 2003’s The Lizzie McGuire Movie and had been expected to return for a Disney+ revival that was later scrapped.
Castmates Lalaine, Adam Lamberg, Hallie Todd and Jake Thomas were also part of the original series.
Earlier this year, Thomas reflected on the closeness formed during those years, saying Carradine and Todd felt like family. He described the bond created on set as something lasting and deeply influential.
Beyond those standout roles, Carradine appeared in a wide range of television series including ER, The Practice, Nash Bridges, Dark Skies and NYPD Blue.
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