Robert Carradine, Revenge of the Nerds star, dies at 71 after legendary Hollywood career

Robert Carradine, the actor best known for his roles in Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire, has indeed died at the age of 71. His career spanned over five decades, leaving a mark in both comedy and drama across film and television.

Born into a family of actors, Carradine made his debut in the 1972 Western The Cowboys. His half-brother, David Carradine, had encouraged him to audition for the part. Early in his career, he appeared in acclaimed films like Mean Streets, Coming Home—which won three Academy Awards—and The Long Riders, where he starred alongside his real-life brothers, David and Keith.

By the 1980s, he became a household name as Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds and its sequels. His later work included Escape from L.A., Django Unchained, and the Lizzie McGuire series, where he played Sam McGuire from 2001 to 2004. He also appeared in TV shows like Nash Bridges and The Pretender, as well as the reality competition King of the Nerds between 2013 and 2015.

For nearly 20 years, Carradine lived with bipolar disorder. His family has since expressed hope that his openness about mental health struggles will help reduce the stigma surrounding it.

Carradine's death follows a long and varied career in Hollywood. His roles in cult classics and award-winning films indeed cemented his place in entertainment history. The actor's family has asked for privacy while remembering his contributions to film and television.