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Robert Carradine, the actor best known as Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds and as Lizzie’s father on Lizzie McGuire, died at 71, his family announced in February 2026. His family said he had lived with bipolar disorder for nearly two decades.
What Robert Carradine was known for
Carradine’s best-known film role was Lewis Skolnick, the socially awkward engineering student at the center of the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds. He returned to the role in the franchise’s sequels and follow-ups. A younger generation of viewers knew him as Sam McGuire, Lizzie’s father, on the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire. The Associated Press obituary and The Guardian’s report recount those roles.
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A career spanning film and television
Born in Los Angeles in 1954, Carradine was the youngest son of actor John Carradine. The Associated Press reports that he made his television debut on Bonanza in 1971 and his first film appearance in The Cowboys in 1972. His other credits included Mean Streets, Coming Home, The Big Red One and The Long Riders. He worked in film and television for more than 40 years, according to the AP.
Carradine also pursued race-car driving. The AP, citing the family’s statement, reported that he drove for Lotus in the late 1980s and 1990s.
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What his family said about bipolar disorder
In announcing his death, Carradine’s family said he had lived with bipolar disorder for nearly two decades and disclosed that he died by suicide. His brother Keith Carradine told Deadline, as reported by the AP: “We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it.” The family said it hoped the disclosure would help address stigma around mental illness. The Guardian reproduced the family’s statement to Deadline, including: “We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the later lawsuit alleges
In a report published August 15, 2026, the Los Angeles Times said Carradine’s estate and children had filed a civil lawsuit against the UC regents and others over his care at UCLA’s Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital. The complaint alleges negligence, says safeguards were not followed and claims his death was preventable. The Times reported that the complaint says he died roughly 19 hours after admission. These are allegations by the plaintiffs, not findings of liability or a court judgment; the report does not establish that the defendants caused his death. Read the Los Angeles Times report on the lawsuit.
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