Robert Carradine dies by suicide at 71 after long battle with bipolar disorder, family urges mental health awareness

Robert Carradine dies by suicide at 71 after long battle with bipolar disorder, family urges mental health awareness

• Actor Robert Carradine, 71, dies by suicide after bipolar battle
• Family urges mental health awareness and ending stigma
• Carradine starred in Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire

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Hollywood actor Robert Carradine has died by suicide at the age of 71. The veteran performer passed away on February 23 after a long battle with bipolar disorder. His death by suicide was confirmed through a family statement shared with the media by his brother, actor Keith Carradine. The family also used the moment to speak openly about mental health and the need to end stigma around psychiatric illness.

In their statement, the Carradine family expressed deep grief over the loss.

“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,” the note read.

They described his nearly two-decade struggle with bipolar disorder as a “valiant” fight and said they hope his journey encourages greater awareness and compassion toward mental illness.

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The statement further added, “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. We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was.”

Robert Carradine’s career spanned more than five decades across film, television, and voice work.

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He first rose to prominence in the 1970s and became widely known for his role in the comedy franchise Revenge of the Nerds, which cemented his place in pop culture. He also appeared in critically acclaimed films such as The Big Red One, directed by Samuel Fuller, and The Long Riders, directed by Walter Hill. Both films were screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 1980.

For a younger generation of viewers, Carradine was best known as the warm and dependable father in Disney’s hit series Lizzie McGuire, starring Hilary Duff. He appeared throughout the show’s run and reprised his role in its 2003 film adaptation.

Born into the legendary Carradine acting family, he was the son of iconic character actor John Carradine. His half-brother was the late David Carradine, and he is also related to actors Michael Bowen and Martha Plimpton. He is survived by his children, including actress Ever Carradine.