**Hollywood's Saddest Loss: Robert Carradine, 71**
Hollywood has lost a beloved actor and performer, Robert Carradine, at the age of 71. Known for his roles in "The Long Riders," "Revenge of the Nerds," and the iconic Disney Channel series "Lizzie McGuire," Carradine has passed away, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and inspiration.
His management company confirmed the news to CNN, and his family shared their profound sadness in a statement to Deadline. "In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to everyone around him," they said. "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."
The family hopes that Carradine's journey can encourage people to address the stigma surrounding mental illness. "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," said Keith Carradine, his brother.
Born on March 24, 1954, Robert Carradine was the youngest son of late American actor John Carradine. He began his career in the 1972 film "The Cowboys," starring John Wayne and Roscoe Lee Browne, and went on to forge a decades-long career in Hollywood across studio films, independent cinema, and television.
One of his most iconic roles was as Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 film "Revenge of the Nerds," a studio comedy that spawned multiple sequels. Two decades later, he found a new generation of fans as Sam McGuire in the popular Disney Channel series "Lizzie McGuire."
Hilary Duff, who co-starred in the series, paid tribute to Carradine on Instagram, writing, "This one hurts. It’s really hard to face this reality about an old friend." Another co-star, Jake Thomas, called him "one of the coolest guys you could ever meet—funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, always a little eccentric."
Ever Carradine, Carradine's daughter, shared a post on Instagram after her father's passing: "My sweet, funny dad, who’s only 20 years older than I am, who never missed an opportunity to drive me to the airport or tell me how much he loved my homemade salad dressing, is gone." She added: "Rest easy, dad. I love you the most."
