By Jennifer Asencio
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Robert Carradine, well-known for taking part in Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds and Sam McGuire in Disney’s Lizzie McGuire franchise, has died. Tragically, the actor succumbed to bipolar dysfunction and dedicated suicide on February 23, 2026.
An announcement from the prolific Carradine household remembered Robert as a “beacon of sunshine” and acknowledged the actor’s decades-long battle with bipolar dysfunction, an sickness marked by temper swings on a spectrum between excitable mania and extreme melancholy. Brother Keith, talking for the household, referred to Robert’s “valiant battle” with the sickness, saying, “There is no such thing as a disgrace in it. It’s an sickness that obtained the most effective of him.”
Robert’s battle with bipolar dysfunction started after he was distraught in regards to the demise of Kung Fu star David Carradine, his brother and mentor, who inspired him to audition for his first position in 1972. Traumatic occasions just like the lack of a liked one have been identified to set off bipolar dysfunction, in addition to scientific melancholy and extreme nervousness. Genetic elements might set up a propensity to develop bipolar dysfunction, however environmental elements could cause main disruption, even to people who find themselves being handled. Different episodes in Robert’s life, similar to a automotive accident in 2015, had been attributable to psychotic episodes related to the sickness.
The youngest son of Golden Age actor John Carradine, Robert was born right into a household dynasty that features his actor brothers David and Keith, animator Christopher, and niece Martha Plimpton. Inspired to hitch his well-known household’s enterprise, he debuted within the John Wayne basic The Cowboysa couple of cattle driver compelled to recruit a bunch of misfit teenagers to run the herd. This resulted in a number of years of regular work in small elements on tv and the massive display screen. He additionally appeared in Imply Streets, Cannonball!and Coming Dwelling throughout this time, paving the best way for stardom. His subsequent main boon would are available in 1980, with the twin launch of The Lengthy Ridersa western through which he starred along with his brothers, and The Massive Crimson Onea World Battle II movie.
His breakout position was as Lewis, the chief of the Adams School chapter of Lambda Lambda Lambda and the nerds that comprise its membership. 4 Revenge of the Nerds motion pictures included Robert Carradine’s iconic character and distinctive “nerd chuckle” as he leads and evokes the nerds in school hijinks towards the jockish Alpha Beta fraternity. The unique 1984 movie was a cult basic that’s nonetheless beloved regardless of a controversial prank performed by the protagonists. Robert would later seem in quite a few podcasts and visitor appearances as an knowledgeable in all issues nerdy, due to this franchise.
His different main position was on the Disney teen sitcom Lizzie McGuirein regards to the tribulations of the titular character as she navigates the world of center faculty and coming of age. The present was marked by an animated model of Lizzie, whose fourth-wall-breaking feedback mirrored the character’s interior world. Robert Carradine performed her oft-perplexed father, Sam, introducing his comedic appearing to a brand new technology of followers. He additionally appeared within the 2019 proposed revival of the present, however filmed solely two episodes earlier than the undertaking was canceled.
Robert has 150 credit to his identify, with quite a few tv visitor appearances on exhibits like NYPD Blue, Lois and Clarkand Nash Bridges. He appeared with David Carradine on two episodes of Kung Fu: The Legend Continues and with fellow “Tri-Lamb” nerd Anthony Edwards on E.R. Film roles included Escape from L.A., Ghosts of Marsand Django Unchained.
Tragically, he leaves behind some movies that shall be launched posthumously, together with a horror film referred to as Skate to Hell that’s at the moment in restricted launch as of this writing, and an upcoming remake of Night time of the Residing Lifeless. Audiences will get to pay tribute to this celebrated actor for just a bit longer as these movies discover their approach to audiences.