Lizzie McGuire star Robert Carradine tragically ‘found hanged’ aged 71 as tributes pour in for actor
BELOVED actor Robert Carradine’s death has been ruled a suicide, as tear-jerking tributes pour in for the late star.
The Lizzie McGuire lead tragically died on Tuesday following a decades-long battle with bipolar disorder.
Citing the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, Page-Six reported the cause of Carradine’s death was sequelae of an anoxic brain injury resulting from hanging.
Sequelae are conditions resulting from a prior disease, injury, or attack.
Robert’s body has been released to his family.
“It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away,” the family said in statement announcing the heartbreaking news.
“In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of 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.
“We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness.”
Older brother and fellow actor Keith Carradine added that the family wished to shed light on Robert’s condition and bring awareness to mental health.
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Robert was first diagnosed with the illness after his brother David died by asphyxiation in 2009.
“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.
“We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was. That’s who my baby brother was.”
Robert got his big break with a role in Revenge of The Nerds in 1984, starring as head nerd, Lewis Skolnick.
He went on to find a new generation of fans starring in Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire, as Sam McGuire, dad of the title character.
His co-star Hilary Duff released a heartbreaking tribute to the actor, writing that she “always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents”.
She wrote in a tearjerking Instagram post: “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.
How to get help
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
“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.”
Robert’s daughter, Ever Carradine, shared an emotional statement on Instagram, writing that the late actor “was all heart”.
She wrote: “My sweet, funny dad, who’s only 20 years older than I am, who never missed an opportunity to drive me to the airport or tell me how much he loved my homemade salad dressing, is gone.
“Whenever anyone asks me how I turned out so normal, I always tell them it’s because of my dad.
“I knew my dad loved me, I knew it deep in my bones, and I always knew he had my back.”
Ever added: “My dad was a lover, not a fighter. 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.”
Robert was born in Los Angeles to actress and artist Sonia Sorel and actor John Carradine.
He began acting as a child star, appearing in The Cowboys with John Wayne in 1972.
The late actor is survived by three children and his brother Keith, who is known for playing Tom Frank in the 1975 film Nashville.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.