Actor Robert Carradine Dies at 71 After Mental Health Battle

Esteemed actor Robert Carradine, widely recognized for his iconic role as Lewis Skolnick in "Revenge of the Nerds" and as Sam McGuire, father to Hilary Duff's character in "Lizzie McGuire," has died at the age of 71. His passing was announced by his family, who disclosed that he had been contending with bipolar disorder for nearly twenty years.

The Carradine family issued a statement, expressing profound sadness and highlighting Bobby's positive impact on those around him. They emphasized his "valiant struggle" with mental illness, hoping to foster greater understanding and address the associated stigma. His brother, Keith Carradine, echoed these sentiments, urging the public to recognize that mental illness carries no shame.

Born in 1954, Robert Carradine was part of a prominent acting family, the youngest son of John Carradine and brother to David, Keith, and Christopher. His extensive filmography includes "The Cowboys" (1972), "Coming Home," and "Mean Streets" (1973). He also starred alongside his brothers David and Keith in "The Long Riders" (1980).

Carradine's personal life also saw challenges, including a 2017 allegation by his ex-wife Edith Mani that he had attempted to kill them both in a car crash in Colorado in 2015, during which he admitted to being in a "psychotic state." He is survived by his daughter, Ever Carradine, and two other children, Marika and Ian.