Robert Carradine, best known for his roles in “Lizzie McGuire” and the “Revenge of the Nerds” franchise, has died. He was 71.
On Monday, the actor’s family confirmed his death in a statement to Deadline.
“It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away,” the statement began.
“In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him,” the statement continued. “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 the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion.”
Carradine’s career in Hollywood began over five decades ago.
He landed his first major roles on the television series “Bonanza” in 1971 and in the John Wayne Western “The Cowboys” in 1972. He later scored roles in Martin Scorsese’s “Mean Streets,” Hal Ashby’s “Coming Home” and Samuel Fuller’s World War II film “The Big Red One.”
He landed his most memorable role in 1984 with “Revenge of the Nerds,” in which he played head nerd Lewis Skolnick.
Carradine later starred in the Disney Channel’s “Lizzie McGuire” as Hilary Duff’s on-screen dad.
Though he came from a family of well-known entertainers, Carradine’s first love wasn’t acting.”I always had a passion to be a race car driver, and that’s what I thought I was going to do, and at some penultimate moment… I think I was sitting with my brother David when ‘The Cowboys’ was being cast, and they were interested in David as the bad guy, and he didn’t want to be the guy that shot John Wayne in the back,” Carradine said in an interview with Popdose in 2013. “But he said, ‘You know, it is called ‘The Cowboys,’ and they’re meeting all these young guys. Why don’t you go in?’”
Carradine’s daughter, “The Handmaid’s Tale” actress Ever Carradine, paid tribute to her late father on Instagram.