Robert Carradine, the veteran character actor remembered for his comic turn as Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds and for playing Sam McGuire, the dad on Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire, has died at 71, his family said this week. In a statement carried by multiple outlets, relatives said Carradine died by suicide after living with bipolar disorder for roughly two decades, and they expressed hope that speaking openly would encourage others to seek help.

Carradine’s death has quickly reignited a familiar Hollywood conversation: what happens to performers when the spotlight fades, work becomes intermittent, and private struggles collide with public expectations. Mental-health advocates have long argued that entertainment careers can intensify risk factors—irregular income, unstable schedules, constant evaluation, and pressure to appear “fine” even when life is unraveling. Carradine’s family did not attribute his death to any single “industry betrayal” or financial crisis, despite sensational claims circulating online; reputable reporting has focused instead on the family’s description of a prolonged, serious illness.

A member of the storied Carradine acting family, Robert built a steady career over five decades, moving between television and film and often landing roles that leaned on warmth, timing, and an underdog charm. He never reached the level of household fame achieved by some relatives, but colleagues frequently described him as dependable and generous on set—an actor who could elevate a scene without demanding the center of it.

In the hours after news of his death, tributes spread from former co-stars and peers. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who dated Carradine in the 1970s, posted a remembrance that emphasized humor, affection, and the long arc of their friendship, while others connected to Lizzie McGuire also shared condolences.

People magazine noted that Carradine’s broader family tree—spanning his father John Carradine and relatives including Keith Carradine, David Carradine, and niece Martha Plimpton—has long made him part of Hollywood “royalty,” even as his own life remained comparatively private. Coverage also underscored his relationships with his children, including actor Ever Carradine.

Carradine’s death arrives amid increasing public attention to mental health in entertainment, as unions, studios, and advocacy groups push for better access to care and for cultural change that treats psychiatric conditions like medical realities rather than personal failures. The most constructive response, experts say, is not speculation about conspiracies or “curses,” but a clearer-eyed look at how depression and bipolar disorder can distort perception, isolate people, and become lethal without sustained treatment and support.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available in the United States through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988). If you are outside the U.S., local emergency services or national crisis hotlines can provide immediate support.