Robert Carradine, the cherished actor known for portraying the nerdy hero Lewis Skolnick in “Revenge of the Nerds” and the goofy, lovable dad Sam McGuire on Disney Channel’s “Lizzie McGuire,” has passed away at 71.
His brother, actor Keith Carradine, told Deadline that Carradine died by suicide on Monday, February 23, after nearly 20 years of living with bipolar disorder. Keith, who also managed his career, described Robert as the family’s foundation.
“We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,” Keith Carradine said to Deadline. The family released a statement calling Robert “a beacon of light to everyone around him” and expressed the hope that sharing his story might help combat stigma surrounding mental health.
Born March 24, 1954, in Hollywood, California, Carradine was part of a legendary acting family. His father was John Carradine of “The Grapes of Wrath,” and his brothers included Oscar winner Keith Carradine of “Nashville” and the late David Carradine of “Kill Bill.”
Carradine began acting in 1971 with a guest spot on “Bonanza” before securing his breakout role as Slim Honeycutt in the 1972 John Wayne Western “The Cowboys” and the related TV series. Through the 1970s, he built an impressive body of work with roles in Martin Scorsese’s “Mean Streets” and the Oscar-winning Vietnam drama “Coming Home,” earning attention as possibly the most skilled actor among the Carradines.
In 1980, Carradine portrayed Bob Younger in “The Long Riders” alongside brothers Keith and David in a unique cinematic experiment featuring real siblings playing historical outlaw brothers. That same year, he played Private Zab in Samuel Fuller’s “The Big Red One” opposite Mark Hamill and Lee Marvin. But his signature role arrived in 1984 when he stepped into the character of Lewis Skolnick in “Revenge of the Nerds,” solidifying his cultural impact and leading to three sequels.
Throughout the years between the “Nerds” films, Carradine made guest appearances on popular series such as “ER,” “Lois & Clark,” “NYPD Blue,” and “Kung Fu: The Legend Continues.” His film credits included “Escape from L.A.” in 1996, and Quentin Tarantino later cast him in “Django Unchained” in 2012.
Carradine won over a new generation of viewers in 2001 when he joined Disney Channel’s “Lizzie McGuire” as Sam McGuire, the quirky and affectionate father of Hilary Duff’s character. He considered the role a “godsend,” appearing in more than 60 episodes and the 2003 feature film. He was slated to return for a Disney+ revival, but the project was scrapped in December 2020 after only two episodes were shot due to creative conflicts.
Duff honored her former TV dad, saying she always felt “cared for” by her on-screen parents and expressing sorrow over learning Carradine had been struggling. Jake Thomas, who played her brother Matt McGuire, remembered him as “one of the coolest guys you could ever meet”—funny, down-to-earth, occasionally grumpy, and always delightfully quirky.
Martha Plimpton, Carradine’s niece and the daughter of Keith Carradine, shared a heartfelt tribute, calling her Uncle Bobby “the best one” among all eight Carradine brothers—biological, adopted, and step. She celebrated him as the finest actor of the family and recalled his gentle nature: “He was dear, and loving, and nonjudgmental.”
Outside acting, Carradine embraced pursuits that showcased his adventurous side. In the late 1980s and 1990s, he raced professionally in the Grand Prix circuit as part of Team Lotus with Paul Newman. Despite lacking formal musical training, he performed guitar with his brothers at the Sheridan Opera House in Telluride, Colorado, where he and Keith owned homes. He once remarked that he loved racing because victory meant no one surpassed him.
In 2015, Carradine was cited for a car accident in Colorado that injured both him and his then-wife Edith Mani. The pair later divorced after more than 25 years together.
Carradine’s daughter, “The Handmaid’s Tale” actress Ever Carradine, honored her father by sharing that he raised her as a single parent in Laurel Canyon throughout the 1970s and 80s. She said that whenever people ask how she remained grounded, she always credits her dad.
Across his 50-year career, Carradine earned over 150 film and television credits, leaving a lasting imprint on American entertainment. He is survived by his children Ever Carradine, Marika Reed Carradine, and Ian Alexander Carradine, along with several grandchildren.