Robert Carradine

Robert Reed Carradine, the American actor best known for his iconic portrayal of Lewis Skolnick in the Revenge of the Nerds film series, passed away on February 23, 2026, in New York City. He was 71 years old. Born on March 24, 1954, in Los Angeles, California, Carradine was a member of one of Hollywoods most distinguished acting families. He was the son of legendary actor John Carradine and actress Sonia Sorel, and the brother of Keith Carradine and half-brother of David Carradine. His daughter, Ever Carradine, also became an actress. Carradines parents divorced when he was two, leading to a difficult childhood that included time spent in a home for abused children during custody proceedings. He was raised primarily by his stepmother and later lived with his half-brother David in Laurel Canyon, where he pursued interests in music and race-car driving alongside acting. He made his film debut in 1972 in The Cowboys, starring John Wayne, and quickly established himself as a versatile character actor. Early roles included Martin Scorseses Mean Streets (1973) and Hal Ashbys Oscar-winning Vietnam War drama Coming Home (1978), starring Jane Fonda and Jon Voight. Carradine achieved his greatest commercial success in 1984 as Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds, a role that became a cultural touchstone and spawned multiple sequels. The film celebrated outsiders and underdogs, resonating with audiences for decades. He appeared alongside his brothers David and Keith in The Long Riders (1980) and co-starred with Lee Marvin and Mark Hamill in Samuel Fullers The Big Red One (1980). For a new generation, Carradine was beloved as Sam McGuire, the father of the title character in the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire (2001-2004), starring Hilary Duff. Carradine was married to Edie Mani from 1990 to 2018. He is survived by his three children, including actress Ever Carradine, and his brother Keith Carradine. His contributions to American cinema, from dramatic roles to beloved comedies, left an enduring mark on Hollywood.