Robert Carradine Bipolar Disorder Battle Culminates in Suicide at Age 71

Feb. 23, 2026 — Los Angeles Robert Carradine, the actor best known for his roles in Revenge of the Nerds and as the father in Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire, died by suicide at age 71 after a nearly two-decade robert carradine bipolar disorder battle.

Carradine’s family confirmed the cause of death in statements shared with multiple outlets, highlighting his robert carradine bipolar disorder battle as a “valiant struggle” that ultimately proved overwhelming. His daughter Ever Carradine confirmed the suicide to The New York Times.

Family Statement

The family’s full statement, provided to People magazine, read:

“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.”

Carradine’s brother, Keith Carradine, told Deadline and others:

“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.”

Mental Health History

The robert carradine bipolar disorder battle reportedly began around 2009, triggered by the death of his half-brother David Carradine from asphyxiation in Thailand, according to The Guardian and Page Six. In 2015, Carradine and then-wife Edith Mani were injured in a car crash on Colorado Highway 145 when his vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic and hit a tractor-trailer. Court documents later revealed Mani claimed he confessed to deliberately causing the crash to kill them both amid depression, while Carradine attributed it to a psychotic state after his medication was withheld.

The family emphasized openness about mental illness to combat stigma, as detailed in Men’s Journal.

Career Highlights

Born into the Carradine acting dynasty as the son of John Carradine, Robert debuted in The Cowboys (1972) opposite John Wayne. He gained fame as Lewis Skolnick in the Revenge of the Nerds franchise and portrayed Sam McGuire, Lizzie’s quirky father, in Lizzie McGuire (2001-2004) and its film. Other credits include Mean Streets, Coming Home, and Escape from L.A..

He is survived by children Ever, Marika, and Ian; grandchildren; and brothers including Keith.

Tributes

Co-stars mourned him online. Hilary Duff wrote on Instagram: “This one hurts… I’m deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering.” Jake Thomas, her on-screen brother, called him “one of the coolest guys you could ever meet.”

The robert carradine bipolar disorder battle has sparked discussions on the condition, which features extreme mood swings and high suicide risk, per New York Post.