Hilary Duff Honors Lizzie McGuire Dad Robert Carradine
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paid tribute to her TV dad Robert Carradine following his death at 71.
Carradine, who played her father Sam McGuire on the beloved series Lizzie McGuire, on Monday.
Taking to Instagram to share her grief, Duff, 38, posted a pair of snaps from the set alongside the poignant caption: 'This one hurts.'
'It's really hard to face this reality about an old friend. There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents,' she added.
'I'll be forever grateful for that. I'm deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him.'
Jake Thomas, who played Duff's brother Matt, also released a statement via Instagram following the news.
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Hilary Duff, 38, paid tribute to her TV dad Robert Carradine following his death at 71. Carradine's family announced that he died by suicide on Monday
Taking to Instagram to share her grief, Duff posted a pair of snaps from the set alongside the poignant caption: 'This one hurts'
'My heart hurts today. I was fortunate to know Bobby for most of my life. And he was one of the coolest guys you could ever meet. Funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, always a little eccentric.'
'He was a talented actor, musician, and director. But more than anything, he was family. I have many fond memories being with him and his family throughout my life. Good moments, challenging moments, and lots of laughs between.'
Carradine played her father Sam McGuire on the beloved series Lizzie McGuire; They are seen in a 2001 still with Jake Thomas and Hallie Todd
Jake Thomas, who played Duff's brother Matt, also released a statement via Instagram following the news
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Thomas, Carradine and Todd pictured in the 2003 Lizzie McGuire film
Robert's daughter Ever Carradine posted an emotional statement to Instagram in which she shared memories on their relationship, urging his fans to replicate his kindness in his memory
'My dad died today,' Ever wrote, adding, 'He was all heart, and in a world so full of conflict and division, I think we can all take a page out of his book today, open our hearts and feel and share the love'
Meanwhile Carradine's older brother, actor Keith Carradine, 76, released a statement revealing that the family chose to release the cause of his brother's death to help end the stigma attached to mental illness; The brothers pictured this past October in Los Angeles
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Online, a number of fans were remembering Carradine warmly, frequently mentioning his work in Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire
'I have a thousand stories and I’m being flooded with memories - so if you see me, please ask me about my dad, Bobby Carradine, who made me who I am.'
Ever ended the emotional statement in saying, 'Rest easy, dad. I love you the most.'
Carradine's family revealed the news of his death in a somber statement to Deadline. They noted that the actor had lived with and fought with bipolar disorder for two decades, but he ultimately took his own life.
'It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away,' his family announced.
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The statement continued, 'In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to everyone around him.'
Carradine's family said they were '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.
'At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion,' the statement concluded.
Carradine was born March 24, 1954 in Los Angeles into the Carradine show business family.
His parents were actors John Carradine and Sonia Sorel, and his brothers were Disney Imagineer Christopher Carradine; and actors Keith and the late David Carradine, who died in June of 2009 at 72.
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Carradine's family announced the news of his death in a statement to Deadline. They noted the actor had lived with and fought with bipolar disorder for two decades; Pictured in 2023
David was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room on June 4, 2009, with investigators saying he died in an instance of asphyxiation.
Medical examiner Dr. Michael Baden, who conducted a private autopsy on David, said that 'he didn't die of natural causes, and he didn't die of suicidal causes from the nature of the ligatures around the body, so that leaves some kind of accidental death.'
Carradine began working as a child actor, with his first appearance in motion pictures coming in 1972 in The Cowboys with John Wayne.
He also appeared in 1973's Main Street from feted filmmaker Martin Scorsese; and in the famed 1978 movie Coming Home with Jane Fonda and Jon Voight.
One of his most prominent roles came as Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds, which also starred Anthony Edwards, Curtis Armstrong and Timothy Busfield.
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He reprised the role for sequels such as 1987's Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise and two TV films: 1992's Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation and 1994's Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love.
Carradine famously played the role of Sam McGuire on 65 episodes of the TV Series from 2001–2004, and in the 2003 motion picture based on the popular franchise with Duff in the titular role.
Carradine appeared alongside brothers David and Keith in 1980's The Long Riders, which also featured members of famed Hollywood acting families such as the Quaids, Guests and Keach family.
Carradine's mental health woes appeared to surface in Colorado March of 2015 when his estranged wife, Edith Carradine said that he purposely tried to drive directly into a semi-truck.
Edith said in legal docs that Carradine had 'confessed to [her] and our two children that he deliberately drove into the truck to kill us both.'
Edith said Carradine had been deeply depressed in the wake of his brother David's death.
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Anthony Edwards and Robert Carradine pictured in the 1984 hit Revenge Of The Nerds
She requested the court award her possession of 17 guns Carradine owned, out of concerns he would harm himself.
Carradine told the court in a May 2017 response that his estranged wife had cut off his bipolar medication, leading to his fragile state of mind at the time of the incident.
Online, a number of fans were remembering Carradine warmly, frequently mentioning his work in Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire.
'Losing Robert Carradine at 71 is a tough one,' said one X user. 'A generation of kids grew up watching him as Sam McGuire and he brought a warmth to that role that made the whole show feel like home. Rest easy.'
One fan said, 'Sad news. Loved him in Revenge of the Nerds. RIP Robert.'
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Carradine is survived by children Ever, Marika and Ian, in addition to grandchildren, siblings, nieces, and nephews.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.
