Robert Carradine, 'Revenge of the Nerds' Star, Dies at 71

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Robert Carradine, known for his role in the 1980s comedy classic "Revenge of the Nerds", has passed away at the age of 71. His family confirmed his death, stating that he took his own life after a nearly two-decade struggle with bipolar disorder. Carradine came from a family of renowned actors, including his father John Carradine and brothers Bruce, David, Christopher, and Keith. He is survived by his three children - daughter Ever from a previous relationship, and son Ian and daughter Marika from his marriage to ex-wife Edie Mani, with whom he had a contentious divorce in 2018.

Why it matters

Carradine's passing shines a light on the challenges of living with mental illness, and the importance of addressing the stigma surrounding it. His family hopes his story can encourage more open discussions about bipolar disorder and other mental health issues.

The details

Robert Carradine was only 20 years old when he became a father to his first child, daughter Ever, with fellow actress Susan Snyder. He raised Ever as a single dad in Laurel Canyon. In 1990, Carradine married Edie Mani, with whom he had two more children - son Ian and daughter Marika. However, Carradine and Mani went through a contentious divorce in 2018, which was preceded by accusations from Mani that Carradine had allegedly attempted to kill them in a 2015 car crash. Carradine, in turn, claimed he was in a state of acute psychosis at the time due to Mani allegedly cutting off his bipolar medication.

• Robert Carradine passed away on February 24, 2026 at the age of 71.
• Carradine had been battling bipolar disorder for nearly two decades prior to his death.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The family has asked for privacy to grieve this tragic loss, and hopes that Carradine's story can help raise awareness and reduce the stigma around mental illness.