Robert Carradine Passes Away at 71

Robert Carradine, known as the youngest member of his prominent Hollywood family and recognized for his role in the 1984 comedy “Revenge of the Nerds,” has died at the age of 71.

In a statement released on Tuesday, his family shared that he had battled bipolar disorder for two decades. His brother, Keith Carradine, mentioned to Deadline that Carradine’s death was a suicide.

“We want people to understand this; there is no shame in it,” Keith Carradine told Deadline. “This illness overwhelmed him, and I wish to honor him for his struggle and celebrate his beautiful spirit. He was exceptionally talented, and we will miss him every day.”

Career Overview

Robert Carradine had a steady career in film and television spanning over 40 years. Despite his connections with acclaimed directors, he never achieved the same global fame as his more celebrated siblings, Keith and David Carradine, the latter who passed away in 2009.

A Los Angeles native and the son of character actor John Carradine, Robert first caught the public’s eye with roles in the TV series “Bonanza” in 1971 and in the John Wayne film “The Cowboys” in 1972.

From Racing Dreams to Acting

Interestingly, Carradine initially dreamed of being a race car driver. He recounted in a 2013 interview that it was a conversation with his brother David that prompted him to audition for “The Cowboys.” His acting career included notable appearances in films like Martin Scorsese’s “Mean Streets” and Hal Ashby’s “Coming Home.”

Legacy and Personal Tributes

Robert’s most significant success came with “Revenge of the Nerds,” where he portrayed the head nerd Lewis Skolnick. He continued to connect with this character through various sequels and parodies. Later in life, he found success on television with roles in “Lizzie McGuire” and even drove for Lotus racing teams during the late ’80s and ’90s.

A heartfelt tribute came from Hilary Duff, who expressed her sorrow on Instagram, noting the deep warmth that Carradine brought to the “Lizzie McGuire” family and shared her sympathy for his struggles.

Family and Survivors

Carradine is survived by his three children: Ever, Marika, and Ian. Ever Carradine shared a touching message on Instagram about their close relationship, emphasizing the love and support her father always provided.