Robert Carradine, the actor best known for his roles as underdog Lewis in “Revenge of the Nerds” and father Sam in “Lizzie McGuire,” has died, his family announced.
Robert Carradine of “Lizzie McGuire” and “Revenge of the Nerds” dies at age 71
Robert Carradine, best known for his roles as Lewis in Revenge of the Nerds and Sam in Lizzie McGuire, has died at the age of 71 after suffering from bipolar disorder.
Robert Carradine, the actor best known for his role as Lewis in “Revenge of the Nerds” and as Hilary Duff’s father in “Lizzie McGuire,” has died. He was 71 years old.
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 deep sadness that we must share the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, uncle and brother Robert Carradine. In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to those around him,” the family said in a statement. “We are devastated by the loss of this beautiful soul and would like to pay tribute to Bobby’s brave fight against bipolar disorder, which lasted almost 20 years. We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage us to tackle the stigma surrounding mental illness.”
The elder Carradine said Robert was the backbone of the family, which also included the late “Kill Bill” actor David Carradine and the patriarch, “Grapes of Wrath” actor John Carradine.
In a statement, the family asked for privacy as they grieve their “immeasurable loss.”
Robert Carradine began his acting career in 1971 with a guest role on Bonanza, before landing the role of Slim in the 1972 western The Cowboys and its spin-off TV series. By 1980, he had nearly 20 credits and starred alongside brothers Keith and David as Bob Younger in The Long Riders, a member of the James Younger Gang, and as Private Zabu in The Big Red One.
He is best known for his breakout role in 1984’s Revenge of the Nerds and its sequels, in which he went on to play the dimwitted underdog Louis Skolnick, establishing nerds as a recognizable social group.
Between the film’s three sequels, Carradine guest-starred in roles such as Monte Carlo, Emergency Room, Lois and Clark, NYPD Blue, and Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, starring David Carradine. In the movie, he starred in “Escape from LA” (1996).
By 2001, Carradine co-starred with Hilary Duff in the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire and starred as her corny but loving father Sam in the 2003 film. He reprized the role in the short-lived 2020 reboot.
Robert Carradine’s actor family mourns death
“The Handmaid’s Tale” alum, “Requiem Boogie” actress and Robert Carradine’s daughter Ever Carradine posted a lengthy tribute to her “kind and funny” father on Instagram on Monday. Captioning more than a dozen memories and a recent photo of the two of them, she recalled him as a constant presence in her life. Carradine said her father raised her as a single father and that she owes her sense of stability to him.
“Every time someone asks me how I became so normal, I always say it’s because of my dad,” she wrote.
Goonies actress Martha Plimpton, Robert Carradine’s niece, called her uncle Bobby “the nicest” of her siblings.
Plimpton captioned an Instagram photo of Carradine wearing a cowboy hat and holding a beer: “Out of them all, he was the absolute best. Honestly, he’s actually the best actor out of them all.” “I think I understand why, because he was kind. He had an inherent kind of kindness. He was loving, affectionate, non-judgmental. And he loved with integrity. He made mistakes like everyone else, just like any other human being. But he never lost his decency or his heart.”
Hilary Duff and Jake Thomas pay tribute to Robert Carradine’s ‘Lizzie McGuire’ children
Duff paid tribute on Instagram early Tuesday, saying she was “heartbroken” by the news.
“This hurts. It’s really hard to face this reality about an old friend,” she captioned a photo of the two from their “Lizzie McQuire” days, as well as a cast photo with on-screen brother Jake Thomas and TV mom Harry Todd. “There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents, and for that I will be forever grateful. I am so saddened to know that Bobby has suffered. My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him.”
Thomas, who played Matt McGuire, also paid his respects. “My heart hurts today,” she captioned a throwback photo she posted on Instagram late Monday. “I was lucky enough to know Bobby for most of my life, and he was one of the coolest people I’ve ever met. Funny, down-to-earth, sometimes gruff, and always a little quirky. He was a talented actor, musician, and director. But most of all, he was a family man.”
He ended the note with, “Rest in peace, Bobby. I love you. ‘Jaker.'”
Carradine has more than 140 credits, most recently in 2026 with the indie horror comedy “Skate to Hell.”
He is survived by his daughters Marika and actress Ever Carradine, and his son Ian Carradine.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call 988 or chat online at any time of the day or night. The Crisis Text Line also provides free 24/7 confidential support via text message when people in crisis dial 741741.
