Robert Carradine, ‘Lizzie McGuire’ Star, Dies at 71

Robert Carradine, known for his roles in Revenge of the Nerds and as Hilary Duff’s on-screen father in Lizzie McGuire, has died at the age of 71. His family confirmed he died by suicide after a nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder.

A Legacy Spanning Generations

Born on March 24, 1954, Carradine came from a prominent acting family, being the youngest son of John Carradine and brother to actors David and Keith Carradine . He began his career with a role in John Wayne’s 1972 film, The Cowboys and went on to appear in notable films such as Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets (1973) and Coming Home (1978), which won an Oscar . He likewise starred alongside his brothers in The Long Riders (1980) and appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained (2012) .

From ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ to ‘Lizzie McGuire’

Carradine achieved widespread recognition for his portrayal of Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds (1984) and its sequels . More recently, he became a familiar face to a younger audience as Sam McGuire, Lizzie’s father, in the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire (2001-2004), appearing in 65 episodes . He reprised the role in the 2003 film, The Lizzie McGuire Movie .

A Family’s Plea for Awareness

Carradine’s family shared the cause of his death to raise awareness about the stigma surrounding mental illness. “We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,” his brother Keith told Deadline . They described Carradine as a “beacon of light” and hoped his story would encourage others to address mental health challenges .

Tributes from Colleagues

Hilary Duff, who starred alongside Carradine in Lizzie McGuire, expressed her grief on Instagram, stating, “This one hurts. It’s really hard to face this reality about an old friend.” She fondly remembered the warmth of the McGuire family and her gratitude for her on-screen parents , , . Jake Thomas, who played Duff’s brother Matt McGuire, also shared his sadness, describing Carradine as “one of the nicest guys you could ever meet” .

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please reach out for help. You can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to 741741.