Robert Carradine, Lizzie McGuire And Revenge Of The Nerds Star, Dies Aged 71

Robert Carradine, known to a generation of viewers as Lizzie McGuire’s father in the hit Disney sitcom, has died at the age of 71.

On Monday evening, Robert’s family announced that he had taken his own life, following what they described as a “nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder”.

The family said 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.

“In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him. 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.”

Robert’s brother Keith 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. That’s who my baby brother was.”

Born into the Carradine acting dynasty, Robert got his start in the industry in TV shows like Bonanza and Kung Fu, as well as the films The Cowboys and Mean Streets.

In the mid-1980s, he appeared as Lewis Skolnick in Revenge Of The Nerds, reprising the role in three sequels in the following decade, and later fronting the TV spin-off King Of The Nerds.

To Lizzie McGuire fans, though, he’ll be best remembered for his work as Hilary Duff’s on-screen dad Sam McGuire in both seasons of the teen sitcom and its movie adaptation.

Last year, he appeared alongside Brian Austin Green and Danny Trejo in the Western thriller The Night They Came Home, having completed work on three more movies prior to his death.

Per Deadline, Robert is survived by “his children, grandchildren, brothers, nieces, nephews and anyone who had the honour of having him in their life”.

• Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
• Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI – this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
• CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
• The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
• Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.