Updated Feb. 24, 2026, 8:45 a.m. ET
Robert Carradine, the actor known as Lewis in “Revenge of the Nerds” and dad to Hilary Duff in “Lizzie McGuire,” has died. He was 71.
Carradine’s brother, “Nashville” actor Keith Carradine, confirmed his death to Deadline late Monday, Feb. 23, saying the actor died by suicide.
“It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away. In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon [of] light to everyone around him,” the family said in a statement. “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.”
The older Carradine told the outlet that Robert was the bedrock of their family – which includes the late “Kill Bill” actor David Carradine and their patriarch, “The Grapes of Wrath” actor John Carradine.
The family’s statement asked for privacy to grieve the “unfathomable loss.”
Robert Carradine got his start in acting in 1971, in a guest starring role on “Bonanza” before nabbing a role as Slim in the 1972 Western “The Cowboys,” and its spinoff TV series. By 1980, with nearly two dozen credits to his name, he was starring as Bob Younger in “The Long Riders,” a member of the James-Younger gang with brothers Keith and David, and as Private Zab in “The Big Red One.”
He famously went on to portray dorky underdog Lewis Skolnick in his breakout role, 1984’s “Revenge of the Nerds,” and its sequels, solidifying the nerd as a recognizable social group.
In between the film’s three sequels, Carradine guest-starred in roles including “Monte Carlo,” “ER,” “Lois & Clark,” “NYPD Blue” and the David Carradine-led “Kung Fu: The Legend Continues.” In film, he starred in “Escape from L.A.” (1996).
By 2001, Carradine was starring as the corny but lovable dad Sam in the Disney Channel series “Lizzie McGuire” opposite Hilary Duff, and its 2003 film. He reprised the role in the short-lived 2020 reboot.
Duff paid tribute on Instagram early Tuesday, saying her “heart aches” following the news.
“This one hurts. It’s really hard to face this reality about an old friend,” she captioned a “Lizzie McQuire” era photo of the pair, as well as a cast photo with onscreen brother Jake Thomas and TV mom Hallie Todd. “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.”
Thomas also paid tribute. “My heart hurts today,” he captioned a throwback photo on Instagram late Monday. “I was fortunate to know Bobby for most of my life. 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, he was family.”
He ended the note, “Rest easy, Bobby. Love you. -‘Jaker.'”
Carradine had more than 140 credits to his name, as recently as 2026 in the indie horror-comedy “Skate to Hell.”
He is survived by daughters Marica and actress Ever Carradine, and son Ian Carradine.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call 988 any time day or night, or chat online. Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.
