Actor Robert Carradine, who breakout role was as Lewis in “Revenge of the Nerds,” has died.
He was 71.
Actor Keith Carradine, Carradine’s brother, confirmed his death to Deadline late Monday. He said his brother died by suicide, USA Today reported.
“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 family said in a statement. “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.”
Keith Carradine told the outlet that Robert was the bedrock of their family – which includes the late “Kill Bill” actor David Carradine and the patriarch, “The Grapes of Wrath” actor John Carradine.
The family’s statement also asked for privacy to grieve the “unfathomable loss.”
Robert Carradine got his start in acting in 1971, in a guest starring role on “Bonanza.”
His breakout role came when he portrayed dorky underdog Lewis Skolnick in 1984’s “Revenge of the Nerds,” and its sequels.
This movie franchise solidifyed the nerd as a recognizable social group.
In between the film’s three sequels, Carradine had guest-starring in roles in “Monte Carlo,” “ER,” “Lois & Clark,” “NYPD Blue” and the David Carradine-led “Kung Fu: The Legend Continues.”
By 2001, Carradine was starring as the lovable dad Sam in the Disney Channel series “Lizzie McGuire” opposite Hilary Duff, and its 2003 film.
He reprised the role in the 2020 reboot.
Duff paid tribute on Instagram early Tuesday.
“This one hurts. It’s really hard to face this reality about an old friend,” she captioned a “Lizzie McQuire” era photo of the pair, as well as a cast photo with onscreen brother Jake Thomas and TV mom Hallie Todd.
“There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents. I’ll be forever grateful for that. I’m deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him,” she wrote.
Duff paid tribute on Instagram early Tuesday, saying her “heart aches” following the news.
He is survived by daughters Marica and actress Ever Carradine, and son Ian Carradine.
