February 24, (THEWILL) — American actor, Robert Carradine, best known for his role as Lewis Skolnick in ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ and as Sam McGuire in the Disney Channel series ‘Lizzie McGuire’, has died at the age of 71. He passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026.
Carradine, a member of the renowned Carradine acting family, took his own life after nearly two decades of living with bipolar disorder, his family confirmed.
In a statement, his family said:
“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 privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion.”
His older brother, actor Keith Carradine, said the family wanted the public to understand that there is “no shame” in struggling with mental illness. He added that they would “miss him every day” and celebrate his “beautiful soul”.
Born in 1954, Carradine was the youngest son of actor John Carradine. He had two older half-brothers, David Carradine and Bruce Carradine, from his father’s first marriage, and two older brothers, Keith and Christopher. Most of the Carradine siblings pursued careers in acting.
Carradine began his career in the early 1970s. He appeared in films including ‘The Cowboys’, ‘Coming Home’ and ‘Mean Streets’ before rising to wider fame with ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ in 1984.
In the early 2000s, he gained a new generation of fans as Lizzie’s father on ‘Lizzie McGuire’, appearing in 65 episodes of the hit Disney Channel show alongside Hilary Duff.
Following news of his death, fans and colleagues paid tribute to him, describing him as a gifted performer and a gentle soul.
Many thanked him for the joy he brought to audiences over the years, adding that he will be remembered not only for his work on screen but also for his openness about his mental health struggles.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
