'Revenge of the Nerds' Star Robert Carradine Dies at 71 – Cause of Death Revealed

The actor, remembered by loved ones as a beacon of light, was widely recognized for his roles in "The Long Riders," "Revenge of the Nerds," and "Lizzie McGuire."

Robert Carradine has died at 71 following a long and serious battle with mental illness. His family confirmed the news, honoring him as someone who was all heart — kind, funny, and never one to hold a grudge.

A Family's Heartbreaking Goodbye to Their 'Beautiful Soul'

In a statement, the family shared their profound sorrow over the loss of their beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother. They said that in a world that can often feel dark, Robert was always a source of light to those around him.

They continued, "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."

The family asked for privacy as they grieved what they described as an unfathomable loss and thanked the public for their compassion. Robert's long struggle with mental illness ultimately ended in suicide.

Brother Speaks Out on Bipolar Battle and Stigma

His brother, Keith Carradine, also spoke candidly about the illness, "We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it. 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. He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day."

He added that their family would remember Robert for his humor, wisdom, and deep acceptance of others. "That's who my baby brother was," Keith recalled.

Troubled Marriage and Shocking Allegations

Robert is survived by his children, grandchildren, brothers, nieces, and nephews, along with many others whose lives he touched. In 1974, he welcomed a daughter, actress Ever Carradine, with Susan Snyder.

He raised Ever as a single father until 1990, when he met Edith Mani, and the couple went on to have two more children, Marika and Ian. Sadly, things between Robert and Edith took a sour turn.

As they parted ways, Edith claimed that the actor attempted to kill them both during a March 2015 car crash. According to court documents, Edith said Robert "confessed to me and our two children that he deliberately drove into the truck to kill us both" after she confronted him about the incident.

She alleged that while driving on a Colorado highway, he veered across lanes and into an oncoming semi-truck. Robert, however, maintained that he had been in a state of "acute psychosis" at the time, claiming Edith had cut off his bipolar medication.

He also alleged that she had urged him to drive that day. In the same court filings, Edith disputed that version of events, stating, "Bobby is an experienced professional race car driver," and adding, "He was awake and alert" at the time of the crash.

The couple, who married in 1990, both sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and the truck driver was unharmed. Edith further alleged that the crash stemmed from Robert's depression following the 2009 death of his brother, David Carradine.

In the documents, she stated that Robert had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and hospitalized twice after multiple episodes. Amid concerns about his mental state, Edith also sought possession of Robert's 17 guns, citing fears that he was "capable of hurting himself or others."

Daughter's Emotional Tribute Reveals the Man Behind the Fame

Even as his battle with mental illness strained his relationships, family remained at the heart of Robert's life. This was evident in how his daughter spoke of him.

In an emotional tribute shared on Instagram, Ever honored her father, Robert, alongside a series of photos spanning their lives together — from images of her as a toddler in his arms to more recent moments as an adult by his side.

She penned, "My dad died today. 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."

According to Ever, anyone who knew her father understood that he was the kind of person who always showed up. A dinner invitation was enough for Robert to be there. A Little League game in Simi Valley only required a game time. Even a late-night flight pickup was handled with ease — she would just text him her column number after collecting her bags.

She acknowledged that being raised in the 1970s and 1980s by a single dad in Laurel Canyon might not seem like the formula for a steady upbringing, yet hers was.

"Whenever anyone asks me how I turned out so normal, I always tell them it’s because of my dad. I knew my dad loved me, I knew it deep in my bones, and I always knew he had my back," she said.

Because of their 20-year age gap, Ever felt they had, in many ways, grown up together. While she never viewed his dad as a sibling, she saw him as a partner in life. They were a team. She never wanted to disappoint Robert and wanted him to feel as supported by her as she felt by him.

Ever shared some of the lessons Robert passed down, "I learned a lot from my dad — never put a horse away wet, don't let hose water dry on your car, change your own wiper blades, and never wave a forced call. I also learned something that was more foundational than I ever really understood, and that was what a waste of time it is to hold a grudge.”

She went on to describe her father, "My dad was a lover, not a fighter. I think we can all take a page out of his book today, open our hearts and feel and share the love."

Ever closed her tribute with a message of love, "Bobby Carradine, who made me who I am. Rest easy, dad. I love you the most."

A Devoted Uncle and Grandfather Who Always Showed Up

Robert's niece, actress Martha Plimpton, has described him as everyone's favorite uncle — a role he deeply valued.

He made time for his nieces and their growing families, treasured being a grandfather to Ever's children, Chaplin and Sam, and to Marika's son, Jack. Robert rarely missed Little League games or horse shows.

In 2019, he shared a photo of his grandson dressed in costume for a school play, a small but meaningful glimpse into how proud he was of his family.

He eagerly babysat whenever needed and will be remembered for the simple, thoughtful gestures — especially his willingness to drive loved ones to and from the airport without hesitation.

Fans Mourn a Light Extinguished Too Soon

Fans have flooded social media with heartfelt tributes after learning of Robert's death. One person wrote, "Very sad about the news. I just watched your episode of the twilight zone [sic] with your pops. Safe travels, good sir."

Another message carried a spiritual tone, "Rest in paradise, dear soul...no more pain, in a world of complete light and love.🙏🏼💕" Someone else summed up the heartbreak many are feeling, "So incredibly sad! Just know you were so loved by many! ❤️😢"

Evidently, Robert not only touched the lives of those who knew him personally but also left a lasting impression on the many fans who admired him and his acting work over the years.

Final Project and a Legacy of Laughter

Beyond acting, Robert also co-hosted the "Party Nerds Pop-Cast" with filmmaker Richard Gabai, which launched in late 2025. The podcast featured behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories, celebrity guests, and a focus on 1980s and 1990s nostalgia.

It is available on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify. The project allowed Robert Carradine to share memories, laughter, and insight from decades in the industry. The most recent episode was released just six days before his death.

Now, his sudden demise has left many in shock, but they have chosen to remember him for all the goodness and light he brought into the world.