Robert Carradine, the youngest member of a prolific Hollywood acting family and the star of the 1984 comedy classic Revenge of the Nerds, has passed away at the age of 71.
In a statement released Tuesday, his family shared that Carradine died by suicide on February 23, 2026, following a courageous nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder.
“No Shame in It”
The Carradine family has chosen to speak openly about the cause of his death to foster awareness and compassion. His brother, fellow actor Keith Carradine, told Deadline:
“We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it. 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.”
A Career Across Generations
While widely celebrated as the iconic Lewis Skolnick in the Revenge of the Nerds franchise, Robert Carradine’s career spanned over 50 years. He made his film debut alongside John Wayne in The Cowboys (1972) and starred with his brothers David and Keith in the 1980 Western The Long Riders.
To younger audiences, he was most beloved as Sam McGuire, the gentle and supportive father on the Disney Channel hit Lizzie McGuire. His co-star Hilary Duff remembered him this week as a source of "warmth and support" during her early career.
A Legacy of Love
Robert is survived by his three children: actress Ever Carradine, Marika Reed Carradine, and Ian Alexander Carradine. His daughter Ever, known for her roles in The Handmaid’s Tale and Marvel’s Runaways, shared a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram, highlighting their close bond:
“Whenever anyone asks me how I turned out so normal, I always tell them it’s because of my dad. I knew my dad loved me, I knew it deep in my bones, and I always knew he had my back. I think it’s partly because we basically grew up together... while I never ever thought of him as a sibling, I did always think of him as my partner. We were in it together.”
Help is Available
The Carradine family hopes that by sharing Robert’s journey, they can encourage others to address the stigma attached to mental health.
If you or someone you know needs help, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 in the U.S. and Canada.