Revenge of the Nerds actor Robert Carradine dies at 71; family reveals cause of death

Robert Carradine, best known for his roles in Revenge of the Nerds and The Long Riders, has died at the age of 71, his family confirmed in a statement. “It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away,” the Carradine family said in a statement to Deadline on Monday, February 23.

The youngest member of a well-known acting family, Carradine was remembered by his older brother, Keith Carradine, who described Robert as “the bedrock of his family,” according to Deadline.

The family said the actor had battled bipolar disorder for nearly two decades. “In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him. 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,” the family said in a statement to the entertainment outlet.

How Robert Carradine died

Robert Carradine’s cause of death was suicide, as per Deadline. Carradine “killed himself after years of living with bipolar disorder,” The Guardian reported, citing a family statement.

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Robert Carradine’s family tragedy and mental health struggle

The Guardian reported that another tragedy within the Carradine family had a lasting impact on Robert’s mental health. His older half-brother, David Carradine, died in 2009 at the age of 72.

David Carradine died “from asphyxiation in a hotel room in Thailand,” The Guardian reported, adding that Robert later said his mental illness was triggered by his brother’s death and that he was subsequently diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

According to a 2009 report by ABC News, David Carradine was found hanging in his hotel room. “The two ropes were tied together,” Police Lt Gen Worapong Chewprecha told reporters at the time. “It is unclear whether he committed suicide or not or he died of suffocation or heart failure.” Police told ABC News they suspected David Carradine may have died of autoerotic asphyxiation.

Carradine was born on March 24, 1954, and is survived by his siblings, nieces, nephews, children, and grandchildren. The family was requesting privacy at this time, as per Deadline.