Robert Carradine, ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ and ‘Lizzie McGuire’ Star, Dies at 71
Robert Carradine, the youngest of the prolific Carradine acting family and best known for his role as Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds, has died at the age of 71. His family confirmed his death on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, stating he had been battling bipolar disorder for nearly two decades and died by suicide.
A Legacy Within a Hollywood Family
Born in Los Angeles, Carradine came from a distinguished Hollywood lineage. He was the son of character actor John Carradine and the half-brother of actors David Carradine, who died in 2009, and Keith Carradine. Despite his family’s prominence, Robert carved out his own path in the industry, beginning with roles in television series like Bonanza in 1971 and John Wayne’s The Cowboys in 1972 [AP News].
Early Career and Diverse Roles
Carradine initially aspired to be a race-car driver, but a chance encounter led him to an audition for The Cowboys. He went on to appear in films directed by Martin Scorsese (Mean Streets), Hal Ashby (Coming Home), and Samuel Fuller (The Substantial Red One) [Los Angeles Times]. He also shared the screen with his brother David in projects like Walter Hill’s The Long Riders and Paul Bartel’s Cannonball.
Revenge of the Nerds and Continued Success
Carradine achieved widespread recognition for his portrayal of Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds (1984). His distinctive, guttural laugh became a signature element of the character. He reprised the role in sequels and television adaptations, and later paid tribute to it as a guest on Robot Chicken and as a co-host of the pop culture competition show King of the Nerds alongside Curtis Armstrong [NBC Los Angeles].
Lizzie McGuire and Later Work
In the 2000s, Carradine found success with a younger audience as Sam McGuire, the father of Lizzie McGuire in the Disney Channel hit series Lizzie McGuire. Hilary Duff, who played Lizzie McGuire, expressed her sadness upon hearing of his passing, noting the warmth and care she felt from her on-screen parents [USA Today].
Carradine continued to work consistently, even taking on a role in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained in 2012.
A Battle with Bipolar Disorder
Carradine’s family shared that he had been living with bipolar disorder for almost 20 years. His brother, Keith Carradine, emphasized the importance of addressing the stigma surrounding mental illness, stating, “It is an illness that got the best of him, and I desire to celebrate him for his struggle with it and celebrate his beautiful soul.” [NBC Los Angeles]
He is survived by his three children, Ever Carradine, Marika Reed Carradine, and Ian Alexander Carradine. His daughter, Ever, an actress herself, shared a heartfelt tribute to her father on Instagram, describing their close relationship.
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