Robert Carradine, ‘Lizzie McGuire’ Dad, ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ Star Dies at 71

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Robert Carradine, ‘Lizzie McGuire’ Dad, ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ Star Dies at 71/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Actor Robert Carradine, best known for Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire, has died at 71. His family said he lived with bipolar disorder for two decades and confirmed he died by suicide. Carradine leaves behind a four-decade career spanning film, television, and professional auto racing.

FILE – Robert Carradine, left, and Curtis Armstrong, co-hosts of the game show “King of the Nerds” appear at the TNT and TBS 2013 Upfront in New York on May 15, 2013. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

Robert Carradine Dies at 71 – Quick Looks

Star of Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire
Member of the famed Carradine acting family
Lived with bipolar disorder for 20 years
Brother Keith Carradine confirmed death by suicide
Worked with Scorsese, Ashby, Fuller, Tarantino
Also pursued professional race car driving
Survived by three children, including actor Ever Carradine

Deep Look: Robert Carradine, ‘Lizzie McGuire’ Dad, ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ Star Dies at 71

Actor Robert Carradine, best known for his starring role in the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds and later for playing Lizzie’s father on Lizzie McGuire, has died at age 71.

In a statement released Tuesday, his family shared that Carradine had lived with bipolar disorder for more than two decades. His brother, actor Keith Carradine, confirmed to Deadline that Carradine died by suicide.

“We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,” Keith Carradine said, describing mental illness as “an illness that got the best of him” while honoring his brother’s artistic gifts and resilience.

Carradine’s death marks the loss of the youngest member of one of Hollywood’s most prominent acting dynasties.

A Hollywood Legacy

Born in Los Angeles, Carradine was the son of veteran character actor John Carradine and the half-brother of actor David Carradine, who died in 2009. Though he shared the screen with acclaimed directors and maintained a steady career spanning more than 40 years, Robert Carradine never achieved the same international fame as some of his siblings.

He first gained attention in the early 1970s with a role on the television series Bonanza and in the John Wayne Western The Cowboys (1972). Ironically, acting was not his original ambition.

In a 2013 interview, Carradine recalled that he initially dreamed of becoming a race car driver. It was only after his brother David declined a role in The Cowboys that Robert auditioned — launching a career that would define much of his life.

Working With Hollywood’s Best

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Carradine built a résumé that included collaborations with some of cinema’s most respected filmmakers. He appeared in Mean Streets (directed by Martin Scorsese), Coming Home (Hal Ashby’s Vietnam War drama), and The Big Red One (Samuel Fuller’s World War II epic).

He also worked alongside his brother David in projects such as The Long Riders and Cannonball, reinforcing the Carradine family’s deep imprint on American film and television.

Lewis Skolnick and Pop Culture Fame

Carradine’s most iconic role came in 1984 when he portrayed Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds. His performance — highlighted by Skolnick’s distinctive, guttural laugh — became a pop culture staple of 1980s comedy.

He reprised the character in a theatrical sequel and two television follow-ups. Years later, he embraced the “nerd” persona once more as co-host of the reality competition show King of the Nerds, alongside co-star Curtis Armstrong.

The character of Lewis Skolnick cemented Carradine’s place in comedy history, even as he continued to take on diverse roles in independent films and television.

Disney Channel Resurgence

In the early 2000s, Carradine found renewed popularity playing Lizzie McGuire’s father on Disney Channel’s hit series Lizzie McGuire, starring Hilary Duff.

Duff paid tribute on Instagram, recalling the warmth and support Carradine brought to the set. She wrote that she was “deeply sad” to learn of his struggles and remembered feeling cared for by her on-screen parents.

A Passion for Racing

Outside of acting, Carradine returned to his early love of motorsports. In the late 1980s and 1990s, he competed as a professional race car driver, including time driving for Lotus. The pursuit fulfilled a lifelong ambition he once believed would define his future.

His later career included smaller roles, including a part in Django Unchained, directed by Quentin Tarantino, who cast Carradine after spotting a distinctive photograph of the actor.

Family and Legacy

Carradine’s personal life included a long marriage to Edith Mani, whom he later divorced. He is survived by three children: actor Ever Carradine, Marika Reed Carradine, and Ian Alexander Carradine.

Ever Carradine shared an emotional tribute, describing her father as a constant source of love and support.

Robert Carradine’s career reflected both the privileges and pressures of Hollywood lineage. From art-house dramas to teen sitcoms and cult comedies, he carved out a path that was distinctly his own.

Editor’s Note

This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help in the United States, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.