Actor Robert Carradine Has Passed Away At 71

TV & Film

Feb 27

Close up image of Robert Carradine — Image Source Curly Tales

Revenge of the Nerds actor, Robert Carradine passed away on February 23rd, 2026, at age 71, after taking his own life. Brother, Keith released the news this week with the following statement.

” 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."

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Robert Carradine was born in 1934, the son of illustrious American actor John Caradine(Grapes of Wrath, Stagecoach, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance) and part of a great Hollywood dynasty. Robert’s big break came in the form of the American classic, Bonanza in 1971 as a guest star. Soon after he was cast in the John Wayne flick, TheCowboys, which led to s string of spaghetti westerns throughout the 70s. Then in 1984, Jeff Kanew was casting for a zany comedy, and Robert fit the bill for the lead, Lewis and Revenge of the Nerds was born. It was the surprise box office hit of that summer (grossing 60 million off an 8 million budget) and achieved cult status for the millennial generation.

Robert Carradine stayed busy and stayed current, starring in the Lizzie McGuire movies and Escape from L.A in the 90s and Django Unchained in the 00s. Despite his passing, he still had seven movies in pre and postproduction, including Night of the Living Dead, for which filming was complete.

Robert is survived by his extensive family; his three children, including Ever Carradine. (Handmaid’s Tale, Runaways), niece, Martha Plimpton (Stephanie from The Goonies.), and three brothers. Christopher worked as an executive at Disney, while Keith (Penny’s father in Big Bang Theory) and half-brother David (Bill from Kill Bill) are also fellow actors.

Keith’s statement demonstrates the hole that will be left by his passing and how much he will be missed. “He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day. We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was. That's who my baby brother was.”

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