Robert Carradine—known for his roles in Revenge of the Nerds, Lizzie McGuire and more—has died at the age of 71, his family confirmed: “We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul.”
Robert Carradine‘s loved ones are mourning a heartbreaking loss.
The actor—who starred in Revenge of the Nerds, Lizzie McGuire, The Long Riders and more—died at the age of 71, his family has announced.
“It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away,” they told Deadline in a statement Feb. 23. “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,” they added. “At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion.”
Robert’s brother Keith Carradine noted his family wanted others to know about what the actor faced, adding that “there is no shame” in bipolar disorder.
“It is an illness that got the best of him,” Keith told the publication, “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.”
Shortly after his passing, Robert—dad to actress Ever with Susan Snyder as well as kids Marika and Ian with Edith Mani—was remembered by his costars and colleagues, including his Lizzie McGuire costar Hilary Duff.
“This one hurts,” she wrote alongside a cast photo shared to Instagram Feb 23. “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.”
Lalaine, who played the role of Lizzie’s BFF, wrote in an Instagram post per Deadline, “It’s really not fair. I’m f–ked up atm.. I am thankful tho. Thankful I had time with you, thankful for our last conversation, and your constant fatherly like support. I love you Bobby.”
Likewise, costar Jake Thomas shared that his “heart hurts today.”
“I was fortunate enough to know Bobby for most of my life,” Jake wrote in his social media post. “And he was one of the coolest guys you could ever meet. Funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, always a little eccentric. He was a talented actor, musician, and director.”
“But more than anything,” Jake added, “he was family. I have many fond memories being with him and his family throughout my life. Good moments, challenging moments, and lots of laughs between. I looked up to him growing up. And later in life, I came to realize I thought he was pretty neat, too.”