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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
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) was an American actor. A member of the Carradine family, he made his first appearances on television Western series such as Bonanza and his brother David's TV series, Kung Fu. Carradine also starred as Lewis Skolnick in the Revenge of the Nerds films and Sam McGuire in the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire.

Early life

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Robert Reed Carradine[1][2] 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 was one of many actors in the Carradine family. His full brothers are Christopher and Keith Carradine. He also had two paternal half-brothers, Bruce Carradine and David Carradine, and a maternal half-brother named Michael Bowen.[3] Carradine was also an uncle of an uncle of actress Martha Plimpton.[4] His maternal great-grandfather was the biochemist Max Henius, and his maternal great-grandmother was the sister of historian Johan Ludvig Heiberg.[5]

Carradine's parents divorced when he was two. A bitter custody dispute ended with his father gaining custody of him and his brothers, Christopher and Keith. During the proceedings, the children spent three months in a home for abused children as wards of the court.[6] His 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".[7]

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.[8] While still in high school, he lived with his half-brother David in Laurel Canyon, California. Under David's care, he pursued two of his major interests: race-car driving and music.[9] He and David performed together in a musical quartet that played small clubs in Los Angeles and San Francisco.[8]

Career

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Film

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Carradine made his film debut in 1972 in The Cowboys, starring John Wayne.[10] 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 handled camera work for David's Vietnam War-inspired cult film Americana, which was not released until 1983.[9]

In 1976, Carradine had the chance to demonstrate what he described as his "first ambition", car racing,[8] 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.[11]

Carradine joined other Hollywood offspring in the 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.[12] 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 prompted speculation that he might be the strongest actor in the Carradine family.[8]

Carradine played a key role in assembling one of the most unusual casting ensembles in film history when he and his 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.[13]

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.[14]

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.[15] 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 hit song "Suddenly Last Summer."[citation needed]

Carradine achieved his greatest commercial success in 1984 when he starred as Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds. 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.[16][17] He reprised the role in three sequels, serving as executive producer on the latter two.[citation needed]

In 2001, he played Donald Keeble in Max Keeble's Big Move. In 2000, he co-starred with Caroline Rhea in Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire and he reprised his role as Sam McGuire in The Lizzie McGuire Movie in 2003.[18]

Television

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Carradine's first television appearance came in 1971 on the Western series Bonanza. He later appeared on 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.[9] In 1984, he portrayed Robert Cohn in the television miniseries adaption of Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises.[19] He also appeared in the 1987 HBO miniseries Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 8.[20] 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 played father Sam McGuire on Lizzie McGuire, starring Hilary Duff. The series was widely popular among young viewers, and its realistic portrayal of adolescent issues also appealed to parents.[21][22] He later appeared in the ER episode "Sleepless in Chicago" alongside his Revenge of the Nerds co-star Anthony Edwards.[23]

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.[24] In 2015, he appeared on a fourth-season episode of Celebrity Wife Swap with Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens.[25]

Personal life and death

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Carradine had three children: actress Ever Carradine, with Susan Snyder, and Marika and Ian with his ex‑wife Edie Mani.[26] He had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.[27] Bipolar disorder can cause swings in emotions.[28]

Carradine died on February 23, 2026 with his death announced by his brother and manager Keith Carradine.[29] He was 71 years old.[30] The death was ruled a suicide by hanging by the Los Angeles Medical Examiner.[31][32]

Filmography

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Key
† Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released

Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1972 The Cowboys Slim Honeycutt – Cowboy [33]
1973 Mean Streets Boy with Gun [33]
1974 You and Me Gas Station attendant [34] Credited as Bob Carradine
1975 Aloha Bobby and Rose Moxey [34]
1976 Revenge of the Cheerleaders Student in Cafeteria Uncredited
Jackson County Jail Bobby Ray [34]
The Pom Pom Girls Johnnie [34]
Cannonball! Jim Crandell
Massacre at Central High Spoony
1977 Joyride John [34]
Orca Ken [34]
1978 Coming Home Bill Munson [33]
Blackout Christie [34]
1980 The Long Riders Bob Younger [33]
The Big Red One Private Zab – 1st Squad [33]
1981 Heartaches Stanley Howard [34]
1982 Tag: The Assassination Game Alex Marsh [34]
1983 Wavelength Bobby Sinclair [34]
1984 Revenge of the Nerds Lewis [33]
Just the Way You Are Sam Carpenter [34]
1987 Number One with a Bullet Detective Barzak [34]
Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise Lewis [33]
1988 Buy & Cell Herbie Altman [34]
1989 All's Fair Mark [34]
Rude Awakening Sammy Margolin [34]
1992 Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation Lewis [33]
The Player Robert Carradine
1993 The Tommyknockers Bryant Brown
1994 Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love Lewis [34]
1995 Bird of Prey Eric Parker [34]
The Killers Within Ben Wallace [34]
1996 Escape from L.A. Skinhead [34]
1997 Firestorm Tarmac [34]
1998 Scorpio One Carter [34]
The Effects of Magic Roody [34]
Breakout Zack Hadley [34] Direct-to-video
1999 Palmer's Pick-Up Bruce Palmer [34]
Gunfighter The Kid [34]
Lycanthrope Bill Parker [34] Also producer
The Kid with X-ray Eyes Chuck Taylor [34] Direct-to-video
Stray Bullet John Burnside [34]
The Vegas Connection Matt Chance [34]
2000 Dangerous Curves John Burnside [34]
2001 Ghosts of Mars Rodale [34]
Max Keeble's Big Move Don Keeble [34]
2002 Three Days of Rain Bus Driver [34] Uncredited
2003 The Lizzie McGuire Movie Sam McGuire [34]
Timecop: The Berlin Decision Big Jim [34] Direct-to-video
2005 Supercross Clay Sparks [34]
2006 Hoboken Hollow Thad Simmons [34]
Monster Night George Ackerman [34] Direct-to-video
2007 7-10 Split Mr. Bailey [34]
Tooth and Nail Darwin [34]
Sex and Breakfast Angry Driver [34]
2008 The 13th Alley Hal [34]
Deep Winter Coach Dando [34]
2010 The Terror Experiment Dr. Wexler [34]
2011 Final Sale Bownman [34]
Fancypants Allen [34]
Cross Dr. Zyal [34] Direct-to-video
My Dog's Christmas Miracle Professor Jerry Meinhardt [34] Direct-to-video
2012 Slumber Party Slaughter Dave [34]
Bikini Spring Break Gill [34] Direct-to-video
Django Unchained Tracker [33]
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
2026 Sorority Shark Attack † Professor Marvin Post-production; posthumous release[35]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1971 Bonanza Phinney McLean "A Home for Jamie"
1972 Footsteps Gas Station Attendant [34] TV movie
1972 Kung Fu Sonny Jim "Dark Angel"
1973 Go Ask Alice Bill [34] TV movie
1974 The Cowboys Slim series regular (12 episodes)
1975 The Hatfields and McCoys Bob Hatfield [34] TV movie
Run, Joe, Run Flip "The Runaway"
1976 Police Story Clifford 2 episodes
1979 Survival of Dana Donny Davis [34] TV movie
1981 Jack London's Tales of the Klondike Percy Cuthfert III Miniseries

"In a Far Country"

1984 The Fall Guy Gardner "October the 31st"
The Sun Also Rises Robert Cohn Miniseries
1985 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Jerry "Night Fever"
1986 The Twilight Zone Daniel Arnold (segment "Still Life") "Still Life / The Little People of Killany Woods / The Misfortune Cookie"
1984 Faerie Tale Theatre Aladdin "Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp"
1986 As Is Rich [34] TV movie
Monte Carlo Bobby Morgan [34] 2 episodes
1987 The Magical World of Disney John Fairfield "The Liberators"
Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 8 Rennie Davis [34] TV documentary
1988 Totally Minnie Maxwell Dwebb [34] TV movie
I Saw What You Did Adrian Lancer [34] TV movie
1989 The Hitchhiker Frank "Garter Belt"
1990 The Incident Domsczek [34] TV movie
Somebody Has to Shoot the Picture Police Sergeant Jerry Brown [34] TV movie
Clarence Clarence Odbody [34] TV movie
1991 K-9 Jack Bergin TV movie
Doublecrossed Dave Booker [34] TV movie
1992 Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation Lewis "Lew" Skolnick [34] TV movie
Illusions Greg – Husband [34] TV movie
1993 The Tommyknockers Bryant Brown [34] Miniseries (2 episodes)
Body Bags Bill (segment "The Gas Station) [34] TV movie
The Disappearance of Christina Michael Croft [34] TV movie
1994 Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love Lewis Skolnick [34] TV movie

also Co-Producer

A Part of the Family Ted [34] TV movie
1995 Sirens Detective Marty Manger "Angel Falling"
ER John Koch "Sleepless in Chicago"
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Joey Bermuda / The Handyman "Home Is Where the Hurt Is"
1995–96 Kung Fu: The Legend Continues Taige / Paulson 2 episodes
1996 Humanoids from the Deep Wade Parker TV movie
Dark Skies Lonnie Zamora "Hostile Convergence"
1997 The Pretender Sheriff Dwight Kunkle "Mirage"
NYPD Blue Gerard Salter "What a Dump!"
The Practice Dr. Red Manheim "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 [34] TV movie
Martian Law unknown role TV movie
1999 Vengeance Unlimited Darin Carter "Friends"
2000 Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire Malachi Van Helsing TV movie
E! True Hollywood Story Himself (Interviewee) "David Carradine"
2001–04 Lizzie McGuire Sam McGuire series regular (65 episodes)[33]
Director "Lizzie's Eleven" (2003)
2003 Monte Walsh Sunfish Perkins [34] TV movie
2005 Law & Order: Criminal Intent David Blake / Roger Withers "Gone"
Attack of the Sabertooth Grant [34] TV movie
2006 Dreamweaver The Interpreter [34] TV movie
2007 Jane Doe: Ties That Bind Everett / Gary / David [34] TV movie
2008 Robot Chicken Lewis Skolnick / Man / Chef (Voice Role) "Boo Cocky"
2011 Workers' Comp Kevin [34] TV movie
2012 Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt Arthur Gallery [34] TV movie
2013–15 King of the Nerds Himself/host series regular (24 episodes)
Executive Producer (8 episodes)
2013 Celebrity Ghost Stories Himself (Interviewee) "Marlee Matlin / Kim Carnes / Robert Carradine"
2014 Sharktopus vs. Pteracuda Dr. Rico Symes [34] TV movie
2015 Celebrity Wife Swap Himself "Robert Carradine / Terrell Owens"
2016 Medinah Russo "Problem with the World"
2017 Mommy, I Didn't Do It Judge Roth TV movie
Doubt Walter Costello "Finally"
Doomsday Alexander Baird TV movie
2018 James Blondes Jungle Whisper "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[36]

References

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  1. ^ "Birthdays". Associated Press. March 24, 2022. p. 2A – via The Modesto Bee. Actor Robert Carradine (1954–2026) was 68.
  2. ^ "Robert Reed Carradine, Born 03/24/1954 in California". California Birth Index. Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  3. ^ Kleiner, Dick. Carradines: 8 Sons, 2 Dads, 3 Moms. The Sumter Daily Item. June 1, 1982, p. 10.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Rader, Dotson. I Didn't Want to Fail.Parade Magazine. September 29, 1991. Page 14
  7. ^ Deihl, Digby, Getting Personal With Keith Carradine. Boca Raton News. November 4, 1984, g. 99.
  8. ^ a b c d Scott, Vernon. Young Robert May Top All Carradines. Sarasota Herald. February 22, 1978, p. 7B.
  9. ^ a b c Carradine, David. Endless Highway. (1995) Journey Editions
  10. ^ Anderson, Nancy. Hollywood Hotline. Kingsport Post. February 3, 1972, p. 8.
  11. ^ Anderson, George, "Old Soldier, A Killer Whale". Pittsburgh Post Gazette. August 25, 1977, p. 24.
  12. ^ "'Joyride' stars talk of parents". Shreveport, Louisiana. May 24, 1977. p. 9. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  13. ^ Scott, Vernon.Brotherly Love. The Bryan Times. November 10, 1979, p. 24.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Loohaulis, Jackie. "Wavelength" Delightful. The Milwaukee Journal. September 30, 1983, p. 36.
  16. ^ Newsmakers. Ottawa Citizen. July 30, 1984, p. 44.
  17. ^ 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)
  18. ^ '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)
  19. ^ Clark, Kenneth. Hemingway's Classic "Sun" Rises Again as Mini-series. The Montreal Gazette. December 7, 1984, p. 16.
  20. ^ Reading Eagle. May 1, 1987, p. 40.
  21. ^ Holson, Laura. "Lizzie McGuire" Has Become a Hot Disney Brand. New York Times. December 2, 2002.
  22. ^ "Lizzie "McGuire" Box Set Volume 1 DVD Review". Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ "Terrell Owens Goes Off the Grid on 'Celebrity Wife Swap'". Yahoo Life. September 3, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  26. ^ 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.
  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. ^ 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 February 28, 2026.
  30. ^ Yoon, John. "Robert Carradine, Actor Who Played the Father in 'Lizzie McGuire,' Dies at 71". The New York Times. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  31. ^ Vasquez, Ingrid (February 27, 2026). "Robert Carradine's Manner of Death Confirmed: Medical Examiner". People.
  32. ^ Stenzel, Wesley (February 28, 2026). "Lizzie McGuire actor Robert Carradine's cause and manner of death confirmed by authorities". Retrieved February 28, 2026. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz Everett Aaker (2017), Television Western Players, 1960-1975 : A Biographical Dictionary, McFarland, p. 85, ISBN 9781476662503
  35. ^ Tracy, Andrew (October 28, 2025). "Sorority Shark Attack wraps shoot in Peterborough"". Playback. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  36. ^ "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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