The cause behind the death of cherished actor Robert Carradine has been disclosed several months after the iconic Revenge of the Nerds star passed away at 71.
Documents from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reveal that Carradine succumbed to complications from an anoxic brain injury, resulting from a suicide attempt during his stay at UCLA’s Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital.
The official ruling on his passing was determined to be suicide.
The recently unveiled records provide insight into the final days of the experienced actor’s life, highlighting a prolonged battle with severe mental health issues, a struggle his family has since discussed openly.
Renowned for his role as the nerdy protagonist Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 classic comedy Revenge of the Nerds, Carradine passed away on February 23, 2026.
The Medical Examiner’s documents indicate that the actor had a longstanding history of bipolar disorder, profound depression with psychotic elements, anxiety, and previous suicidal thoughts.
According to the investigative summary, Carradine voluntarily admitted himself to UCLA’s Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital on January 16, 2026, because he was experiencing suicidal thoughts.
The following day, hospital staff found him unresponsive in his room after what investigators described as an apparent hanging involving a leather belt.
Robert Carradine’s death was ruled a suicide by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner
The actor died on February 23, 2026, at the age of 71 after more than 5 weeks in intensive care
Medical personnel were able to restore circulation and Carradine was transferred to intensive care, where he remained hospitalized for more than five weeks.
His condition continued to deteriorate and he was pronounced dead on February 23.
The Medical Examiner’s report lists the cause of death as ‘sequelae of anoxic brain injury’ due to hanging. The report notes that no foul play was suspected.
Investigators interviewed family members as part of the inquiry into Carradine’s death.
According to the report, Carradine had battled bipolar disorder, depression and psychosis for roughly two decades and had recently become increasingly depressed.
The records also indicate that Carradine had previously sought treatment for suicidal thoughts at the same facility.
Family members believed he had been discharged too early following an earlier hospitalization before he returned and admitted himself again in January.
News of Carradine’s death stunned fans across Hollywood and beyond when it was announced by his family.
Keith Carradine said there was ‘no shame’ in his brother’s suicide and described Robert’s death as the result of a long battle with mental illness
The Revenge of the Nerds star is memorably known for playing Hilary Duff’s father in Lizzie McGuire
In a statement to Deadline, his brother Keith Carradine spoke candidly about the actor’s mental health struggles and urged people not to view his death through the lens of stigma.
‘We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,’ Keith said. ‘It is an illness that got the best of him, and I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful soul. He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day.’
The youngest member of the legendary Carradine acting dynasty, Robert Carradine spent more than four decades working steadily in film and television.
Born into Hollywood royalty as the son of actor John Carradine and the younger brother of actors Keith and David Carradine, he initially dreamed of becoming a race car driver rather than following his family into show business.
That changed when he landed a role in the 1972 John Wayne western The Cowboys, a project he later credited to encouragement from his brother David.
From there, Carradine built an impressive résumé that included appearances in acclaimed films such as Mean Streets, Coming Home and The Big Red One.
But it was his portrayal of Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds that transformed him into a pop culture icon.
Carradine portrayed Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds and subsequent sequels
Robert Carradine’s daughter Ever remembered him as a loving and supportive father
The low-budget comedy became a surprise sensation and Carradine’s awkward, lovable underdog emerged as one of the defining movie characters of the 1980s. He reprised the role in multiple sequels and remained closely associated with the franchise throughout his life.
Later generations came to know him as Sam McGuire, the father of Hilary Duff’s title character on Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire.
Following news of his death, Duff paid tribute to her former television dad.
‘It’s really hard to face this reality about an old friend,’ she wrote on Instagram. ‘There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents. I’ll be forever grateful for that. I’m deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering.’
Carradine also pursued another lifelong passion outside acting. During the late 1980s and 1990s, he fulfilled his dream of becoming a professional race car driver and competed for Lotus.
His career later received a boost when Quentin Tarantino cast him in Django Unchained in 2012, introducing him to a new generation of moviegoers.
Despite personal setbacks, including a serious 2015 Colorado car crash that injured both Carradine and his then-wife Edith Mani, he continued acting consistently throughout the remainder of his life.
Carradine, pictured 2014, died by suicide after a decades-long battle with bipolar disorder
Carradine famously played the role of Sam McGuire on 65 episodes of the TV series Lizzie McGuire from 2001–2004
Carradine’s acting career began at an early age when he appeared in the 1972 film The Cowboys with John Wayne; seen above in 1974
He is survived by his three children — actress Ever Carradine, Marika Reed Carradine and Ian Alexander Carradine.
In an emotional tribute, Ever Carradine reflected on the bond she shared with her father.
‘Whenever anyone asks me how I turned out so normal, I always tell them it’s because of my dad,’ she wrote. ‘I knew my dad loved me, I knew it deep in my bones, and I always knew he had my back.’
This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the US is available by calling or texting 988.
