Robert Carradine, best known for his roles in “Revenge of the Nerds” and as Lizzie McGuire’s father on the Disney Channel series, died Monday at the age of 71, his family confirmed. The cause of death was suicide following a nearly two-decade struggle with bipolar disorder, according to a statement released to Deadline.
The news prompted an outpouring of grief from his former co-stars, most notably Hilary Duff, who played his on-screen daughter Lizzie. Duff posted a tribute on Instagram Tuesday, writing, “This one hurts. It’s really hard to face this reality about an old friend. There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents. I’ll be forever grateful for that. I’m deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him.”
Jake Thomas, who portrayed Lizzie’s brother Matt McGuire, also shared his sorrow. In a lengthy Instagram post, Thomas described Carradine as “one of the coolest guys you could ever meet,” noting his “funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, always a little eccentric” personality. He recalled fond memories of time spent with Carradine and his family, stating he “looked up to him growing up.”
Carradine’s family emphasized the importance of addressing the stigma surrounding mental illness in their statement. They described him as “a beacon of light” despite his internal struggles, and expressed hope that his experience would encourage open conversation and support for those battling similar challenges. “We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness,” the family said.
Robert Carradine’s career spanned decades, beginning with roles in films like “The Cowboys” and “The Farmer” before gaining wider recognition in the 1980s with “Revenge of the Nerds” and its sequels. He continued to work steadily in television and film, culminating in his role as Sam McGuire on “Lizzie McGuire” from 2001 to 2004. The series, which also starred Lalaine, Adam Lamberg, and Hallie Todd, proved a significant success for the Disney Channel and helped launch Duff’s career.
His brother, Keith Carradine, told The Mirror that Carradine’s bipolar disorder “got the best of him,” but stressed that there was “no shame” in mental illness.
As of Tuesday afternoon, representatives for the Disney Channel had not issued a formal statement regarding Carradine’s death.