Robert Carradine, Versatile Actor and Horror Mainstay, Dies Aged 71
Hollywood is mourning the loss of Robert Carradine, the veteran actor whose career stretched across more than five decades and left a distinct mark on film, television, and genre cinema. Carradine died on 23 February 2026 at the age of 71. His family confirmed his death in a statement released to Deadline, noting his long struggle with bipolar disorder.
“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 a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to everyone around him… We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness.”
Born into the famed Carradine acting family, Robert Carradine carved out a career defined by range rather than typecasting. While he was widely recognised by mainstream audiences for Revenge of the Nerds and as Sam McGuire in Lizzie McGuire, his body of work in horror and genre television earned him lasting affection among fans.
For horror audiences, Carradine was a familiar and always engaging presence. He appeared in anthology classics such as The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and HBO’s cult series The Hitchhiker bringing a grounded intensity to stories rooted in suspense and the uncanny.
His film work included Stephen King’s The Tommyknockers (1993), John Carpenter’s Body Bags (1993), and Humanoids from the Deep (1996), followed by later cult favourites such as Lycanthrope, Ghosts of Mars, and Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire, where he memorably subverted expectations as Malachi Van Helsing. Even in lower‑budget productions, Carradine brought professionalism, humour, and commitment, traits that made him a favourite among genre filmmakers.
Carradine continued working steadily into the 2000s and 2010s, appearing in independent horror features including Monster Night, Tooth and Nail, The 13th Alley, Slumber Party Slaughter, and Human Zoo. His final credited role, Skate to Hell (2026), stands as a fitting bookend to a career that embraced cult cinema as readily as mainstream success.
Tributes have poured in from colleagues and fans alike. Hilary Duff, his Lizzie McGuire co‑star, described him as warm, caring, and deeply supportive on set. His brother, Keith Carradine, spoke openly about Robert’s illness, saying the family hoped his story would encourage compassion and understanding around mental health.
Robert Carradine leaves behind a legacy defined not just by recognisable roles, but by consistency, generosity, and an evident love for the craft. For horror fans in particular, he will be remembered as a performer who elevated every project he touched, always entertaining, always committed, and always welcome on screen.
Hilly Horror
Hilly love of horror knows no bounds. As a massive fan of slasher and ghost films, she has watched all of the Wrong Turn and Paranormal Activity films. Now that’s bravery at a scale we can’t beat.
