Robert Carradine, an actor who appeared in popular television shows like ‘Lizzie McGuire’ and films such as ‘Revenge of the Nerds,’ has died at the age of 71, according to a family statement released Monday. His family confirmed the news in a statement to Deadline, noting that he had struggled with Bipolar Disorder for two decades.

Personal 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 statement. “In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a symbol on 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.”

Carradine’s older brother, Keith, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about mental health. “We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,” he 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.”

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, including emotional highs known as mania or hypomania, and lows, known as depression. Hypomania is less extreme than mania, according to the Mayo Clinic. The organization states that bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but symptoms can be managed with a treatment plan involving medication and psychotherapy.

Remembered by Co-stars and Family

Carradine’s death was met with heartfelt tributes from his co-stars and family members. His co-star in ‘Lizzie McGuire,’ Hilary Duff, shared her condolences on Instagram, stating, “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. 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.”

Jake Thomas, who played Carradine’s on-screen son in ‘Lizzie McGuire,’ also paid tribute to the actor, saying, “My heart hurts today. I was fortunate to know Bobby for most of my life. And he was one of the coolest guys you could ever meet. Funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, always a little eccentric.”

Ever Carradine, the actor’s daughter, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, saying, “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.”

Carradine’s niece, Martha Plimpton, shared a post on Instagram, saying, “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. 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.”

Legacy in Film and Television

Carradine, the son of actor John Carradine, had more than 150 acting credits to his name and debuted on-screen with John Wayne in 1972 in ‘The Cowboys.’ He went on to appear in Martin Scorsese’s crime drama ‘Mean Streets’ in 1973 and in the war drama ‘Coming Home’ in 1978 with Jane Fonda and Jon Voight.

He also starred in the comedy franchise ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ as Lewis Skolnick. He found newfound fame when he starred on the Disney Channel hit series ‘Lizzie McGuire’ as the father, Sam, from 2001 to 2004 and in ‘The Lizzie McGuire Movie’ in 2003.

Carradine is survived by his children Ever, Marika, and Ian. His family has asked for privacy at this time.