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Robert Carradine

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Robert Carradine
Carradine holding a producer credit for
The 1 Second Film in 2004
Born
Robert Reed Carradine

(1954-03-24)March 24, 1954
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedFebruary 23, 2026(2026-02-23) (aged 71)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1971–2026
Spouse
Edith "Edie" Mani
​
​
(m. 1990; div. 2018)​
Children3, including Ever Carradine
FatherJohn Carradine
FamilyCarradine

Robert Reed Carradine (/ˈkærədiːn/ KARR-ə-deen; March 24, 1954 – February 23, 2026)[1] was an American actor. He made his first appearances in television Western series, such as Bonanza and his brother David's television series, Kung Fu. Carradine starred as Lewis Skolnick in teen comedy film series Revenge of the Nerds and Sam McGuire in Disney Channel sitcom series Lizzie McGuire.

He was a member of Carradine family dynasty, which began with his father, John Carradine.

Early life

[edit]

Robert Reed Carradine[2][3] was born on March 24, 1954, in the city of Los Angeles, to actress and artist Sonia Sorel (née Henius) and actor John Carradine. He is one of many actors in Carradine family. His full brothers are Christopher and Keith Carradine. He also had his two paternal half-brothers, Bruce Carradine and David Carradine, and a maternal half-brother named Michael Bowen.[4] Carradine was also an uncle of actress Martha Plimpton.[5] His maternal great-grandfather Max Henius, was a biochemist, and his maternal great-grandmother was the sister of historian Johan Ludvig Heiberg.[6]

Carradine's parents divorced when he was two. A bitter custody dispute ended with his father, gaining custody of him and his two older brothers, Christopher and Keith. During the proceedings, three sons spent three months in a home for abused children as wards of the court.[7] His older brother, Keith, later recalled the experience: "It was like being in jail. There were bars on the windows, and we were only allowed to see our parents through glass doors. It was very sad. We would stand there on either side of the glass door crying".[8]

He was raised primarily by his stepmother, his father's third wife, Doris Grimshaw, and believed she was his mother until he met Sonia Sorel at a Christmas party when he was 14.[9] While still in high school, he lived with his half-brother David in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles. Under David's care, he pursued two of his major interests: race-car driving and music.[10] He and David performed together in a musical quartet that played small clubs in Los Angeles and San Francisco.[9]

Career

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Film

[edit]

Carradine made his film debut in 1972 in The Cowboys, starring John Wayne.[11] He also appeared in a short‑lived television series of the same name based on the film. He later played a killer in Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets, shooting the character portrayed by his brother David.

During this period, he worked with David on several independent projects, including the biker film You and Me (1975) and an unreleased musical titled A Country Mile. He also did camera work for David's Vietnam War-inspired film Americana, which was not released until 1983.[10]

In 1976, Carradine had the chance to demonstrate what he described as his "first ambition", car racing,[9] when he played Jim Cantrell in Paul Bartel's Cannonball. His character wins the cross-country road race, beating the favorite, Coy "Cannonball" Buckman, played by David. In 1977, Robert appeared in the killer-whale thriller Orca.[12]

Carradine joined other Hollywood offspring in 1977 film Joyride, starring alongside Desi Arnaz Jr., Melanie Griffith, and Anne Lockhart in a story about young Californians traveling to Washington and Alaska to seek their fortunes.[13] In 1978, he landed a role in Hal Ashby's Oscar-winning Vietnam War drama Coming Home, starring Jane Fonda and Jon Voight. His performance led to speculation declaring him the strongest actor in the Carradine family.[9]

Carradine played a key role in assembling one of the most unusual casting ensembles in film history when he and his two brothers David and Keith portrayed the Younger brothers in The Long Riders (1980), alongside three other sets of acting brothers: Stacy and James Keach, Dennis and Randy Quaid, and Christopher and Nicholas Guest.[14]

Also in 1980, he co-starred with Mark Hamill and Lee Marvin in Samuel Fuller's The Big Red One, a World War II drama based on Fuller's own experiences. Carradine's character, modeled on Fuller, narrates the film.[15]

In 1983, he starred opposite Cherie Currie of the Runaways in the science fiction film Wavelength, playing a washed‑up rock musician who helps extraterrestrials escape from a military base.[16] He performed several of his own compositions for the film, including one named after his daughter Ever. That same year, he appeared as the love interest in the Motels' music video for the song "Suddenly Last Summer."[citation needed]

In 1984, he starred as Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds, becoming one of his most successful roles. To prepare for the role, he spent time at the University of Arizona during rush week; no fraternity selected him, reinforcing his sense that he was right for the part.[17][18] He reprised the role in three sequels, serving as executive producer on the latter two.[citation needed]

In 2000, Carradine co-starred with Caroline Rhea in Disney Channel Original Movie Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire. In 2001, while appearing in Lizzie McGuire, he portrayed Max's father Donald Keeble in Max Keeble's Big Move. In 2003, he reprised his role as Sam McGuire in Disney's teen comedy film The Lizzie McGuire Movie.[19]

Television

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Carradine's first television appearance came in 1971, such as in Western series Bonanza. Later, he appeared in his brother David's series Kung Fu as Sunny Jim, the mute companion of Serenity Johnson, played by their father, John Carradine, in the 1972 episode "Dark Angel". In 1979, he appeared alongside Melissa Sue Anderson in The Survival of Dana.[10] In 1984, he portrayed Robert Cohn in the television miniseries adaption of Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises.[20] He also appeared in the 1987 HBO miniseries Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 8.[21] Carradine guest-starred in the Law & Order: Criminal Intent episode "Gone" (2005), playing a character loosely based on Bobby Fischer, and appeared in the television series Jane Doe, directed by James A. Contner, in 2007.[citation needed]

From 2001 to 2004, Carradine portrayed as father Sam McGuire in Disney Channel sitcom series Lizzie McGuire, starring with Hallie Todd, Hilary Duff, and Jake Thomas. This series is widely popular among young viewers, and its realistic portrayal of adolescent issues also appealed to parents.[22][23] Later, he appeared in ER episode "Sleepless in Chicago" alongside his Revenge of the Nerds co-star Anthony Edwards.[24]

In January 2013, Carradine reunited with Revenge of the Nerds co-star Curtis Armstrong to host King of the Nerds on TBS, a reality competition series.[25] In 2015, he appeared on a fourth-season episode of Celebrity Wife Swap with Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens.[26]

Personal life

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Carradine had three children. His eldest daughter, Ever Carradine, was born in 1974, with Susan Snyder. Ever is also an actress, known for her roles in The Handmaid's Tale and Runaways. In 1990, Carradine married Edith "Edie" Mani, and they had two children together, Marika and Ian.[1] The couple filed to divorce in 2015, after a 25 year marriage, and three years later finalizing themselves.[1]

Mental health problems and death

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Carradine was diagnosed with bipolar disorder two decades before his death.[27] A statement from Carradine's family, as paraphrased by USA Today, said his death was "the culmination of a longtime battle with mental illness".[28]

In 2015, Carradine and his then-wife, Edith, were injured in a car crash in Colorado. In the aftermath of the accident, Robert was issued a citation and was ordered to pay a fine.[29] Edith alleged in divorce court documents that Carradine had confessed to intentionally driving into the truck in a murder-suicide attempt, and that his bipolar disorder worsened after he became depressed following the death of his half-brother David Carradine.[30]

Before his death, Carradine had reportedly missed a table read for an upcoming project. His older brother, Keith, stated that it was an "illness that got the best of him".[citation needed]

On February 23, 2026, Carradine was found dead after checking into UCLA's Resnick Psychiatric Hospital on January 16. He had been admitted at the facility for over a month before staff found him in cardiac arrest after a suicide attempt,[31] at age 71.[32] His cause and manner of death was ruled as suicide by hanging,[31][33][34] as confirmed by People Magazine as well as Los Angeles Medical Examiner.[33][35][36]

Filmography

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Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1972 The Cowboys Slim Honeycutt – Cowboy [37]
1973 Mean Streets Boy with Gun
1974 You and Me Gas Station attendant Credited as Bob Carradine [38]
1975 Aloha Bobby and Rose Moxey
1976 Revenge of the Cheerleaders Student in Cafeteria Uncredited
Jackson County Jail Bobby Ray [38]
The Pom Pom Girls Johnnie
Cannonball! Jim Crandell
Massacre at Central High Spoony
1977 Joyride John [38]
Orca Ken
1978 Coming Home Bill Munson [37]
Blackout Christie [38]
1980 The Long Riders Bob Younger [37]
The Big Red One Private Zab – 1st Squad
1981 Heartaches Stanley Howard [38]
1982 Tag: The Assassination Game Alex Marsh
1983 Wavelength Bobby Sinclair
1984 Revenge of the Nerds Lewis [37]
Just the Way You Are Sam Carpenter [38]
1987 Number One with a Bullet Detective Barzak
Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise Lewis [37]
1988 Buy & Cell Herbie Altman [38]
1989 All's Fair Mark
Rude Awakening Sammy Margolin
1992 Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation Lewis [37]
The Player Robert Carradine
1993 The Tommyknockers Bryant Brown
1994 Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love Lewis [38]
1995 Bird of Prey Eric Parker
The Killers Within Ben Wallace
1996 Escape from L.A. Skinhead
1997 Firestorm Tarmac
1998 Scorpio One Carter
The Effects of Magic Roody
Breakout Zack Hadley Direct-to-video
1999 Palmer's Pick-Up Bruce Palmer
Gunfighter The Kid
Lycanthrope Bill Parker Also producer
The Kid with X-ray Eyes Chuck Taylor Direct-to-video
Stray Bullet John Burnside
The Vegas Connection Matt Chance
2000 Dangerous Curves John Burnside
2001 Ghosts of Mars Rodale
Max Keeble's Big Move Don Keeble
2002 Three Days of Rain Bus Driver Uncredited
2003 The Lizzie McGuire Movie Sam McGuire
Timecop: The Berlin Decision Big Jim Direct-to-video
2005 Supercross Clay Sparks
2006 Hoboken Hollow Thad Simmons
Monster Night George Ackerman Direct-to-video
2007 7-10 Split Mr. Bailey
Tooth and Nail Darwin
Sex and Breakfast Angry Driver
2008 The 13th Alley Hal
Deep Winter Coach Dando
2010 The Terror Experiment Dr. Wexler
2011 Final Sale Bownman
Fancypants Allen
Cross Dr. Zyal Direct-to-video
My Dog's Christmas Miracle Professor Jerry Meinhardt Direct-to-video
2012 Slumber Party Slaughter Dave
Bikini Spring Break Gill Direct-to-video
Django Unchained Tracker [37]
The Collector Johnny Short film
2017 A Fish Tale Anthony
Justice Stratton Collins
2019 The Marshal Frank James
Nearly Departed Marv
American Christmas Danny
2020 Human Zoo Producer
2021 High Holiday Hunter Pearson
2024 The Night They Came Home Bart
Was Once a Hero Doc Jennings
2025 Let's Call the Whole Thing Off Bill
2026 Skate to Hell Virgil
Based on the Original Night of the Living Dead Bill Posthumous release
TBA Sorority Shark Attack † Professor Marvin Post-production; posthumous release [39]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1971 Bonanza Phinney McLean Episode: "A Home for Jamie"
1972 Footsteps Gas Station Attendant Television film [38]
1972 Kung Fu Sonny Jim Episode: "Dark Angel"
1973 Go Ask Alice Bill Television film [38]
1974 The Cowboys Slim Series regular (12 episodes)
1975 The Hatfields and McCoys Bob Hatfield Television film
Run, Joe, Run Flip Episode: "The Runaway"
1976 Police Story Clifford 2 episodes
1979 Survival of Dana Donny Davis Television film [38]
1981 Jack London's Tales of the Klondike Percy Cuthfert III Miniseries; episode: "In a Far Country"
1984 The Fall Guy Gardner Episode: "October the 31st"
The Sun Also Rises Robert Cohn Miniseries
1985 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Jerry Episode: "Night Fever"
1986 The Twilight Zone Daniel Arnold (segment "Still Life") Episode: "Still Life / The Little People of Killany Woods / The Misfortune Cookie"
1984 Faerie Tale Theatre Aladdin Episode: "Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp"
1986 As Is Rich Television film [38]
Monte Carlo Bobby Morgan 2 episodes
1987 The Magical World of Disney John Fairfield Episode: "The Liberators"
Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 8 Rennie Davis Television documentary [38]
1988 Totally Minnie Maxwell Dwebb Television film
I Saw What You Did Adrian Lancer
1989 The Hitchhiker Frank Episode: "Garter Belt"
1990 The Incident Domsczek Television film [38]
Somebody Has to Shoot the Picture Police Sergeant Jerry Brown
Clarence Clarence Odbody
1991 K-9 Jack Bergin
Doublecrossed Dave Booker [38]
1992 Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation Lewis "Lew" Skolnick
Illusions Greg – Husband
1993 The Tommyknockers Bryant Brown Miniseries (2 episodes)
Body Bags Bill (segment "The Gas Station) Television film
The Disappearance of Christina Michael Croft
1994 Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love Lewis Skolnick Television film; also co-producer
A Part of the Family Ted Television film
1995 Sirens Detective Marty Manger Episode: "Angel Falling"
ER John Koch Episode: "Sleepless in Chicago"
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Joey Bermuda / The Handyman Episode: "Home Is Where the Hurt Is"
1995–96 Kung Fu: The Legend Continues Taige / Paulson 2 episodes
1996 Humanoids from the Deep Wade Parker Television film
Dark Skies Lonnie Zamora Episode: "Hostile Convergence"
1997 The Pretender Sheriff Dwight Kunkle Episode: "Mirage"
NYPD Blue Gerard Salter Episode: "What a Dump!"
The Practice Dr. Red Manheim Episode: "Dog Bite"
1997–98 Fast Track unknown role 2 episodes
1997–2000 Nash Bridges Dr. Bruce Hartman / Dr. Hartman, D.D.S. 2 episodes
1998 Young Hearts Unlimited Eddie Television film [38]
Martian Law Unknown role
1999 Vengeance Unlimited Darin Carter Episode: "Friends"
2000 Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire Malachi Van Helsing Television film
E! True Hollywood Story Himself Episode: "David Carradine"
2001–04 Lizzie McGuire Sam McGuire Main role; 65 episodes; director: "Lizzie's Eleven" [37]
2003 Monte Walsh Sunfish Perkins Television film [38]
2005 Law & Order: Criminal Intent David Blake / Roger Withers Episode: "Gone"
Attack of the Sabertooth Grant Television film [38]
2006 Dreamweaver The Interpreter
2007 Jane Doe: Ties That Bind Everett / Gary / David
2008 Robot Chicken Lewis Skolnick / Man / Chef Voice; episode: "Boo Cocky"
2011 Workers' Comp Kevin Television film [38]
2012 Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt Arthur Gallery
2013–15 King of the Nerds Himself / host Series regular (24 episodes); executive producer (8 episodes)
2013 Celebrity Ghost Stories Himself Episode: "Marlee Matlin / Kim Carnes / Robert Carradine"
2014 Sharktopus vs. Pteracuda Dr. Rico Symes Television film [38]
2015 Celebrity Wife Swap Himself Episode: "Robert Carradine / Terrell Owens"
2016 Medinah Russo Episode: "Problem with the World"
2017 Mommy, I Didn't Do It Judge Roth Television film
Doubt Walter Costello Episode: "Finally"
Doomsday Alexander Baird Television film
2018 James Blondes Jungle Whisper Episode: "Blondes in the Jungle"
2019 Tales of the Wild West Robert Carradine / Frank James 2 episodes

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result
1982 3rd Genie Awards Best Performance by a Foreign Actor
Heartaches
 Nominated[citation needed]
1987 8th CableACE Awards Best Actor in a Theatrical or Dramatic Special
As Is
 Nominated[citation needed]
1998 16th Golden Boot Awards N/a N/a Honored[40]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Cain, Sian (February 24, 2026). "Robert Carradine, Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire actor, dies aged 71". The Guardian. Archived from the original on February 24, 2026. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  2. ^ "Birthdays". Associated Press. March 24, 2022. p. 2A – via The Modesto Bee. Actor Robert Carradine (1954–2026) was 68.
  3. ^ "Robert Reed Carradine, Born 03/24/1954 in California". California Birth Index. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  4. ^ Kleiner, Dick. Carradines: 8 Sons, 2 Dads, 3 Moms. The Sumter Daily Item. June 1, 1982, p. 10.
  5. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (February 23, 2026). "Actor Robert Carradine Dies At Age 71". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 24, 2026. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  6. ^ The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography: Being the History of the United States as Illustrated in the Lives of the Founders, Builders, and Defenders of the Republic, and of the Men and Women who are Doing the Work and Moulding the Thought of the Present Time. 1971.
  7. ^ Rader, Dotson. I Didn't Want to Fail.Parade Magazine. September 29, 1991. Page 14
  8. ^ Deihl, Digby, Getting Personal With Keith Carradine. Boca Raton News. November 4, 1984, g. 99.
  9. ^ a b c d Scott, Vernon. Young Robert May Top All Carradines. Sarasota Herald. February 22, 1978, p. 7B.
  10. ^ a b c Carradine, David. Endless Highway. (1995) Journey Editions
  11. ^ Anderson, Nancy. Hollywood Hotline. Kingsport Post. February 3, 1972, p. 8.
  12. ^ Anderson, George, "Old Soldier, A Killer Whale". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. August 25, 1977, p. 24.
  13. ^ "'Joyride' stars talk of parents". Shreveport, Louisiana. May 24, 1977. p. 9. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  14. ^ Scott, Vernon.Brotherly Love. The Bryan Times. November 10, 1979, p. 24.
  15. ^ Canby, Vincent.The Big Red One,' 5 G.I.'s in World War II; Three Years of War. The New York Times. July 18, 1980, p. C6.
  16. ^ Loohaulis, Jackie. "Wavelength" Delightful. The Milwaukee Journal. September 30, 1983, p. 36.
  17. ^ Newsmakers. Ottawa Citizen. July 30, 1984, p. 44.
  18. ^ Robert Carradine: Proud to Play a Nerd, San Francisco, California, July 12, 1992, p. 278, retrieved February 25, 2026{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  19. ^ 'Lizzie' works well as short escape, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, May 2, 2003, p. 83, retrieved February 25, 2026{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  20. ^ Clark, Kenneth. Hemingway's Classic "Sun" Rises Again as Mini-series. The Montreal Gazette. December 7, 1984, p. 16.
  21. ^ Reading Eagle. May 1, 1987, p. 40.
  22. ^ Holson, Laura. "Lizzie McGuire" Has Become a Hot Disney Brand. New York Times. December 2, 2002.
  23. ^ "Lizzie "McGuire" Box Set Volume 1 DVD Review". Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  24. ^ Nicewonger, Kirk (February 23, 1995). "Tonight's TV 'Simon Simon' actors reunited". The Morning Call. p. 50. Archived from the original on February 24, 2026. Retrieved February 24, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ Greene, Andy (February 14, 2013). "Curtis 'Booger' Armstrong on His New Reality Show, 'King of the Nerds'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  26. ^ "Terrell Owens Goes Off the Grid on 'Celebrity Wife Swap'". Yahoo Life. September 3, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  27. ^ Jeong, Helen; Broad, Dennis (February 24, 2026). "Actor Robert Carradine, 'Revenge of the Nerds' and 'Lizzie McGuire' star, dies at 71". KXAS-TV. Archived from the original on February 24, 2026. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  28. ^ Segarra, Edward; Austin, Daryl. "How did Robert Carradine die? Disney star battled this disorder". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 28, 2026. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  29. ^ "How Robert Carradine's mental health battle led to near-fatal car crash with wife -- years before suicide". February 24, 2026. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  30. ^ "Robert Carradine's Ex Alleges Actor Tried to Kill Them Both in Crash". People.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  31. ^ a b Lo, Emily (February 27, 2026). "Robert Carradine". Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Archived from the original on March 1, 2026. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  32. ^ Yoon, John. "Robert Carradine, Actor from 'Revenge of the Nerds' and 'Lizzie McGuire', Dies at 71". The New York Times. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  33. ^ a b Vasquez, Ingrid (February 27, 2026). "Robert Carradine's Manner of Death Confirmed: Medical Examiner". People. Archived from the original on March 2, 2026. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  34. ^ Bahr, Lindsay (February 24, 2026). "Robert Carradine, 'Revenge of the Nerds' and 'Lizzie McGuire' star, dies at 71". Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 28, 2026. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  35. ^ Stenzel, Wesley (February 27, 2026). "'Lizzie McGuire' actor Robert Carradine's cause and manner of death confirmed". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 2, 2026. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  36. ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g h McIntosh, Steven (February 24, 2026). "Robert Carradine, Lizzie McGuire and Revenge of the Nerds star, dies aged 71". BBC News. Archived from the original on February 24, 2026. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Everett Aaker (2017), Television Western Players, 1960-1975 : A Biographical Dictionary, McFarland, p. 85, ISBN 9781476662503
  39. ^ Tracy, Andrew (October 28, 2025). "Sorority Shark Attack wraps shoot in Peterborough"". Playback. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  40. ^ "The Golden Boot Awards". Golden Boot Awards. Motion Picture and Television Fund. Archived from the original on February 4, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
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