Lizzie McGuire star Robert Carradine’s body is released to family days after his tragic death at 71
The body of Robert Carradine has been released to his family after the actor took his own life aged 71 last week.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the latest development after previously confirming the star died by suicide via hanging at a hospital on February 23.
Carradine, who was part of an acting dynasty that includes his brother Keith and late half-brother David, was best known for his stints on the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire and in the Revenge Of The Nerds film franchise.
He had lived with bipolar, his family told Deadline upon his death.
‘In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to everyone around him,’ relatives told the news site, adding that they wanted ‘to acknowledge Bobby’s valiant struggles 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 body of Robert Carradine has been released to his family after his death at 71 last week
Jake Thomas, Carradine and Hallie Todd in the 2003 Lizzie McGuire film
‘At this time, we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion,’ the statement concluded.
Keith told Deadline that his family wanted people to understand that Carradine had been valiant and courageous in his struggle with mental illness.
‘We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,’ Keith said. ‘It is an illness that got the best of him, and I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful soul.
The late actor ‘was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day,’ Keith said. ‘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.’
Carradine’s daughter, Ever Carradine, posted an emotional statement on Instagram in which she shared memories of their relationship, urging his fans to replicate his kindness in his memory.
‘My dad died today,’ said the actress, whom Carradine welcomed with Susan Snyder. ‘He was all heart, and in a world so full of conflict and division, I think we can all take a page out of his book today, open our hearts and feel and share the love.
‘I have a thousand stories and I’m being flooded with memories – so if you see me, please ask me about my dad, Bobby Carradine, who made me who I am.’
Ever, 51, ended the emotional statement with, ‘Rest easy, dad. I love you the most.’
His family said they wanted people to understand that Carradine had been valiant and courageous in his struggle with bipolar disorder over the past two decades
His daughter, actress Ever Carradine, shared a picture of them hitting the picket line during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike
Carradine’s Lizzie McGuire costar Hilary Duff said on Instagram at the time of his death, ‘This one hurts. 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.’
Duff wrapped up by saying, ‘My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him.’
Carradine was born on March 24, 1954, in Los Angeles, into a show business family.
His parents were actors John Carradine and Sonia Sorel, and his brothers were Disney Imagineer Christopher Carradine and actors Keith and the late David, who died in 2009 at 72.
David was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room on June 4 that year, with investigators saying he died in an instance of asphyxiation.
Medical examiner Dr Michael Baden, who conducted a private autopsy on David, said that ‘he didn’t die of natural causes, and he didn’t die of suicidal causes from the nature of the ligatures around the body, so that leaves some kind of accidental death.’
Anthony Edwards and Carradine in the 1984 hit Revenge Of The Nerds
Carradine with Revenge of the Nerds costars Curtis Armstrong and Julia Montgomery last fall
Carradine played the role of Sam McGuire on 65 episodes of Lizzie McGuire from 2001–2004, and in the 2003 motion picture based on the popular TV franchise with Duff in the titular role.
One of his most prominent roles came as Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds, which also starred Anthony Edwards, Curtis Armstrong and Timothy Busfield.
He reprised the roles for sequels such as 1987’s Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise and two TV films: 1992’s Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation and 1994’s Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love.
Carradine appeared alongside brothers David and Keith in 1980’s The Long Riders, which also featured members of famed Hollywood acting families such as the Quaids, Guests and Keach family.
