Lead
Robert Carradine, the actor best known for roles in Revenge of the Nerds, The Long Riders and the Lizzie McGuire series, has died at age 71. His family confirmed his death in February 2026 and said he took his own life after a nearly two‑decade struggle with bipolar disorder. The family issued a public statement to Deadline asking for privacy and urging greater attention to mental‑health stigma. Carradine is survived by his children, grandchildren, brothers and extended family.
Key Takeaways
- Actor Robert Carradine died in February 2026 at age 71; his family says he died by suicide after battling bipolar disorder for nearly 20 years.
- The family released a statement to Deadline describing Carradine as a “beacon of light” and asking for privacy while noting his long struggle with mental illness.
- Born March 24, 1954, Carradine made his feature debut in 1972 in The Cowboys and appeared in landmark films including Mean Streets (1973) and Coming Home (1978).
- He played Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds and later reached younger audiences as the father on Disney’s Lizzie McGuire TV series.
- Carradine was part of the prominent Carradine acting family, including brothers David and Keith; he also pursued music and auto racing, competing at Grand Prix levels and driving with Team Lotus.
Background
The Carradines are one of Hollywood’s multigenerational acting families. Robert was the youngest son of John Carradine and younger brother to actors David and Keith Carradine; the family’s screen credits stretch back decades, and the siblings often appeared in projects that played on their real‑life relationships.
Robert Carradine carved his own path from an early film debut alongside John Wayne in The Cowboys (1972) to appearances in Mean Streets (1973) and Hal Ashby’s Coming Home (1978). By the 1980s he was a visible presence in both independent and mainstream films, including two titles screened at Cannes in 1980 and the comedy hit Revenge of the Nerds in 1984.
Main Event
The family’s announcement, shared with Deadline, framed Carradine as beloved by relatives and friends while acknowledging his long battle with bipolar disorder. They wrote that he had been “a beacon of light” for those close to him and asked for privacy as they grieve. The statement explicitly referenced a near‑twenty‑year struggle with the condition.
Keith Carradine, Robert’s older brother, spoke publicly about his sibling’s illness and wanted the record to reflect that bipolar disorder was central to Robert’s final years. Keith emphasized that there should be no shame attached to mental‑health struggles and celebrated Robert’s humor, tolerance and artistic gifts.
Beyond the family statement, details about circumstances immediately surrounding his death were not disclosed. The family’s request for privacy and the sensitive nature of the cause have limited on‑the‑record disclosures as of publication.
Analysis & Implications
Public disclosures by families of well‑known figures can shift attention to mental‑health issues, reducing stigma and prompting conversations about access to care. When a family highlights a diagnosis like bipolar disorder, it can encourage fans and the broader public to seek information or support, but it also risks oversimplifying complex clinical histories into single causes.
In the entertainment industry, high visibility combined with irregular schedules and public scrutiny can exacerbate underlying conditions. Carradine’s case is likely to renew interest in industry resources for performers and crew, such as peer counseling, insurance coverage for psychiatric care and on‑set accommodations for those with chronic mental illness.
There are also archival and cultural implications: Carradine’s body of work—from early character parts to a memorable ’80s comedy lead and later television appearances—will be revisited in retrospectives. Those discussions often balance celebration of craft with honest acknowledgement of personal struggles, shaping how a career is remembered.
Comparison & Data
| Year | Title | Role / Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | The Cowboys | Feature debut, with John Wayne |
| 1973 | Mean Streets | Early notable role |
| 1978 | Coming Home | Hal Ashby film; Oscar‑winning cast |
| 1980 | The Big Red One / The Long Riders | Two films at Cannes; acted alongside brothers |
| 1984 | Revenge of the Nerds | Lead role as Lewis Skolnick; cultural touchstone |
| 2001–2004 | Lizzie McGuire (TV) | Reached a new generation as the father |
These entries illustrate Carradine’s range across decades, from supporting dramatic roles in the 1970s to comic lead parts in the 1980s and family television in the 2000s. His extracurricular passions—music performances with his brothers and competitive auto racing—added dimensions to his public persona beyond screen credits.
Reactions & Quotes
The family’s statement to Deadline framed Carradine as cherished and brave in his long fight with illness. Context: the statement was released publicly by relatives and distributed through entertainment media.
“It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away.”
Family statement (shared with Deadline)
Keith Carradine spoke about destigmatizing mental illness and celebrating his brother’s life. Context: Keith emphasized both the reality of the illness and Robert’s personality.
“We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it. It is an illness that got the best of him… He was profoundly gifted.”
Keith Carradine
Niece Martha Plimpton and other relatives have publicly remembered Carradine as a warm family presence who loved being an uncle and grandfather. Context: multiple family members highlighted his devotion to family life and to activities with children and grandchildren.
“He was everyone’s favorite uncle.”
Martha Plimpton (niece)
Unconfirmed
- The precise date and location of Carradine’s death were not detailed in the family statement and remain unconfirmed publicly.
- Information about his most recent clinical care, medication or treatment regimen was not disclosed and cannot be verified.
Bottom Line
Robert Carradine’s death at 71 closes the final chapter on a multi‑decade career that spanned westerns, dramas, comedies and family television. He was a visible member of a high‑profile acting family and maintained parallel passions in music and auto racing, all of which shaped how colleagues and fans remember him.
The family’s decision to speak publicly about a long struggle with bipolar disorder may prompt renewed conversations about mental‑health supports for performers and the broader public. As retrospectives and tributes appear, the lasting view of Carradine will likely balance admiration for his work with a sober recognition of the personal challenges he faced. The family has requested privacy as they grieve; readers are encouraged to respect that request and to consult professional resources if they are personally affected by the issues raised here.
Sources
- Deadline — News outlet reporting the family statement and initial details (media).
- IMDb — Filmography and career overview (entertainment database).
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) — Background on suicide prevention and resources (nonprofit).