LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Funeral services were pending Tuesday for Robert Carradine, a member of the famed Carradine acting family best known for his roles in “Revenge of the Nerds.” “Coming Home” and “Lizzie McGuire.”
Carradine died by suicide Monday, his family announced. He was 71.
“It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away,” his family said in a statement to the online entertainment news website Deadline.
“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. At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion.”
Born March 24, 1954, in Los Angeles, Carradine was among the five sons of acclaimed character actor John Carradine, four of whom who became actors.
Robert Carradine made his television debut in a 1971 episode of the NBC Western, “Bonanza.” His film debut came a year later in the John Wayne- starring Western, “The Cowboys,” as a young drover for a 400-mile cattle drive. He reprised the role of Slim Honeycutt in the 1974 ABC adaptation.
Carradine’s best-remembered movie roles included lead nerd Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy “Revenge of the Nerds” and its sequels “Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise,” “Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation,” and “Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love”‘; Vietnam War veteran Bill Munson in “Coming Home” and outlaw Bob Younger in “The Long Riders,” where his brother David played his character’s brother Cole Younger, and brother Keith another brother, Jim Younger.
Carradine portrayed the father of title character in the 2001-2004 Disney Channel comedy “Lizzie McGuire.” His other television credits included a 1972 episode of the ABC Western “Kung Fu,” which starred David Carradine and whose guest cast also included their father.
Robert Carradine also appeared with his father in a 1986 episode of CBS’ revival of “The Twilight Zone.”
Carradine was inducted into the California Comedy Hall of Fame & Museum in September in a ceremony in Whittier.
Survivors include two daughters, actress Ever Carradine and Marika Reed Carradine, and a son, Ian.
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