Robert Carradine Was Found Unresponsive by Staff After Self-Admitting to Psych Hospital Before Death: Medical Examiner
Robert Carradine Was Found Unresponsive by Staff After Self-Admitting to Psych Hospital Before Death: Medical Examiner
Deirdre Durkan, Danielle BacherThu, June 11, 2026 at 6:11 PM UTC
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A medical examiner report obtained by PEOPLE confirms Robert Carradine checked himself into a psych hospital before his death
The Lizzie McGuire and Revenge of the Nerds actor died on Feb. 23 at age 71 after being hospitalized for more than a month
Carradine's family previously remembered his "valiant struggle" with bipolar disorder and expressed hope that his story would help reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness
Robert Carradine sought help for his mental health just one day before a medical emergency that ultimately led to his death, according to a medical examiner report obtained by PEOPLE.
The Lizzie McGuire and Revenge of the Nerds actor voluntarily admitted himself to UCLA's Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital on Jan. 16 due to ongoing suicidal ideation, according to a Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner report.
The following day, Carradine was found "unresponsive" and "in cardiac arrest" in his hospital room by staff members after an attempt to take his own life. He was admitted to intensive care, where his "condition continued to decline" until his death on Feb. 23, according to the report. He was 71.
UCLA Health and Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital has not responded to a request from PEOPLE for comment.
Robert Carradine on April 16, 2010 in Parsippany, New JerseyCredit: Bobby Bank/WireImage
According to the medical examiner's report, Carradine died from complications of an anoxic brain injury. His manner of death was ruled suicide.
The records indicate that Carradine had a history of anxiety, bipolar disorder, severe depression with psychotic features and prior suicide attempts.
An investigator's narrative included in the report states that Carradine's daughter told authorities he had struggled with bipolar disorder, depression and psychosis for approximately two decades and had recently become increasingly depressed before seeking treatment.
PEOPLE previously reported that Carradine's death had been ruled a suicide by the Los Angeles Medical Examiner's Office.
Robert Carradine in 'The Lizzie McGuire Movie'Credit: Disney
Following his death, Carradine's family shared a statement with PEOPLE remembering him as a beloved father, grandfather, uncle and brother.
"It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away," the statement read.
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"In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him," the statement continued. "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. At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion."
Carradine first appeared onscreen opposite John Wayne in The Cowboys in 1972 before building a decades-long career in Hollywood.
He later starred in films including Mean Streets, Coming Home and the Revenge of the Nerds franchise, the latter of which he played Lewis Skolnick. He was also widely known to younger audiences for portraying Sam McGuire, the father of Hilary Duff's title character, on Lizzie McGuire and The Lizzie McGuire Movie.
After news of his death, Duff paid tribute to her former costar on Instagram.
"This one hurts," she wrote. "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."
Carradine's former onscreen son Jake Thomas also remembered him as "one of the coolest guys you could ever meet."
"My heart hurts today," Thomas wrote. "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."
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If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health challenges, call or text 988 in the U.S. and Canada to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or text "STRENGTH" to 741-741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line.
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