Robert Carradine Was Part of a Famous Acting Family
Actor Robert Carradine has died at 71.
The Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire star had fought a “valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder,” his family said in a statement shared with Deadline.
“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 … We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness.”
Robert Carradine’s relatives include David Carradine, Keith Carradine
Robert Carradine was a member of the storied Carradine acting family.
His father, John Carradine, appeared in hundreds of movies over his long career, including the classic John Ford Western Stagecoach, The Grapes of Wrath, Johnny Guitar, and Around the World in 80 Day. He also appeared in TV shows such as Maverick, Gunsmoke, and Lost in Space.
David Carradine had five children. He was father to David and Bruce with his first wife, Ardanelle McCool, and Robert, Keith, and Christopher Carradine with his second wife Sonia Sorel. David and Keith are also actors.
David, who died in 2009, starred in movies such as Boxcar Bertha and the 1970s ABC TV series Kung Fu. He later enjoyed a career resurgence thanks to his role in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill movies.
Keith Carradine has appeared in movies such as Robert Altman’s Nashville and Pretty Baby. His TV credits include numerous television movies, Deadwood, Dexter, The Big Bang Theory, and Madam Secretary.
Keith and Robert’s maternal half-brother is actor Michael Bowen, known for his roles in Valley Girl and Breaking Bad.
The next generation of the Carradine family
Several younger members of the Carradine family have continued the tradition of pursuing careers as actors.
Robert’s daughter, Ever Carradine, is best known for playing Naomi on The Handmaid’s Tale. She’s also appeared in shows and movies such as Runaways, Shameless, Goliath, Commander in Chief, and Eureka.
Keith’s children include his daughter Martha Plimpton. As a young actor, she appeared in The Goonies, The Mosquito Coast, and Running on Empty. She won an Emmy for The Good Wife and has been nominated for a Tony Award. She recently starred in Task on HBO. Keith’s younger daughter, Sorel Carradine, has appeared on TV shows such as The Good Doctor and Southland.
Ever Carradine remembers her ‘sweet, funny dad’
After Robert’s death several members of his family took to social media to pay tribute.
“My dad died today. 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,” Ever Carradine wrote on Instagram. “…Growing up in the 70s and 80 with a single dad in Laurel Canyon is not exactly the recipe for a grounded childhood, but somehow mine was. Whenever anyone asks me how I turned out so normal, I always tell them it’s because of my dad.”
“My Uncle Bobby was the best one of all 8 brothers; blood, adopted, and step. Out of all of them, he was the absolute best,” Martha Plimpton wrote on her Instagram. “…Also, he was the best actor of the bunch. By a THOUSAND MILES. Don’t believe me? Just watch him. In The Cowboys, his first movie with John Wayne. Or in The Big Red One. Or in Coming Home. He’s honestly, in fact, the best actor of all of them. And I think I know why. Because he was KIND. He had inherent KINDNESS in him. He was dear, and loving, and nonjudgmental. And he loved honestly. He made mistakes like anyone else, like any human. But he never lost his decency, or his heart.”
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