Robert Carradine's Health Challenges Before His Passing Revealed

Hollywood is mourning a familiar face…but behind the laughter and lovable roles was a story few truly knew. Now, heartbreaking new details are coming to light.

Beloved Hollywood Star Robert Carradine has sadly died at age 71, on February 23, 2026, and the circumstances surrounding his passing have left many stunned.

From Cult Classic Hero to Beloved TV Dad

According to Deadline, the actor took his own life. Carradine was part of the legendary Carradine acting family, a clan woven into Hollywood history. Yet for many fans, he was simply the nerd who became a hero.

His biggest film breakthrough came in 1984 with "Revenge of the Nerds," where he starred as head nerd Lewis Skolnick opposite Anthony Edwards. The film became one of the decade's most beloved franchises and embedded Carradine into the pop culture consciousness of a generation.

Years later, he found an entirely new audience as the warm and slightly goofy father, Sam McGuire, in Disney Channel's "Lizzie McGuire." To millions of kids, he wasn't a movie icon; he was TV Dad.

Hilary Duff's Heartfelt Goodbye

Hilary Duff, who played his daughter on the series, shared touching throwback images from their time on set in her heartfelt Instagram tribute upon learning of Carradine's demise. One photo shows the full McGuire family gathered together in their bright kitchen set, smiling warmly, while another captures a close-up of Duff and Carradine side by side, both beaming.

"This one hurts. It's really hard to face this reality about an old friend," Duff penned in her accompanying caption. "There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and [sic] I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents."

Then came a line that hit differently:

"I'm deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him. 💔."

Jake Thomas Speaks Out

Similarly, Jake Thomas, who played Carradine's son, echoed that heartbreak in his own equally tear-jerking Instagram dedication. Sharing a nostalgic photo from set, Thomas reflected on growing up alongside Carradine. "My heart hurts today," he wrote. "I was fortunate to know Bobby for most of my life."

He described him as "funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, always a little eccentric," and remembered him not just as a co-star but as family. "I looked up to him growing up," Thomas shared, adding, "Rest easy, Bobby. Love you. – 'Jaker.'"

A Private Battle Few Knew About

The outpouring of love paints a portrait of a man who was steady, supportive, and full of humor. But as his family has now revealed, Carradine was privately fighting something far more complex.

In a statement shared with Deadline, his loved ones disclosed that he had endured a years-long battle with bipolar disorder. "It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away [sic]," the family began.

They described him as "the bedrock of his family," and in a world that can feel dark, said "Bobby was always a beacon on [sic] light to everyone around him."

But they also made it clear that his illness had been a long and painful fight. "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 statement continued.

They also express hope that his journey will "shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness."

His older brother spoke candidly, explaining why the family wanted the truth to be known. "We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it," Carradine's brother stated. "It is an illness that got the best of him."

He also emphasized that they want to celebrate not just Carradine's career, but his courage in fighting the disorder. "I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful soul," he said. "He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day."

The bereaved sibling added that the family will take solace in "how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was" before adding, "That's who my baby brother was."

The Shocking Car Crash

The revelation also reframes one of the most terrifying episodes of Carradine's life. In March 2015, he was seriously injured in a violent head-on crash in Colorado. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Carradine crossed the dividing line and slammed into a semi-truck traveling in the opposite direction.

Both vehicles were estimated to be going about 60 miles per hour at the time of impact. Firefighters had to extract Carradine from the wreckage before he was rushed to the hospital with injuries. His wife, who was in the passenger seat, was also reportedly injured in the crash.

He was cited for careless driving, though authorities stated that drugs and alcohol were not suspected to be factors. At the time, his current medical status was unclear.

Explosive Claims in Court Documents

Two years later, in 2017, even more startling claims emerged…

As reported by TMZ, Carradine admitted in divorce documents that he had been in a psychotic state when he crashed into the semi-truck. He claimed he experienced acute psychosis after his estranged wife, Edith "Edie" Mani, cut off his bipolar medication.

In those same documents, Carradine alleged that despite his deteriorating mental state, she implored him to get behind the wheel the day of the horrific March 2015 crash.

He stated that his downward spiral began after the death of his brother, David, in 2009, and that he was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

The legal battle also included explosive allegations. TMZ previously reported that Mani had filed documents claiming Carradine confessed to intentionally driving into the semi-truck to kill them both. The divorce filings further detailed disputes over money, including claims that Mani allegedly spent the $70,000 they earned from an appearance on "Celebrity Wife Swap."

The incident, once seen as a tragic traffic accident, now stands as a chilling chapter in a much larger story about mental illness, medication struggles, and a man trying to hold himself together under unimaginable strain.

A Legacy Bigger than the Headlines

Through it all, Carradine continued to work, appear in public, and smile for fans. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, brothers, nieces, nephews, and "anyone who had the honor of having him in their life," his family said, while asking for privacy as they grieve.

In the end, Carradine's legacy is more than Lewis Skolnick or a Disney Channel dad. It is also the story of a man who fought a nearly 20-year battle with bipolar disorder, whose family now hopes his openness — even in death — will help break the stigma surrounding mental illness.

At this time, we wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to Robert's entire family, loved ones, friends, community, fans, and all who knew and loved him as they mourn such a significant loss. We hope for their healing amid their time of grief. RIP, dear Robert.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.