Robert Carradine's concerning behavior on final film project revealed days before actor's tragic death at 71

Actor Robert Carradine went 'MIA' on his final film project just days before his death aged 71, it has been claimed. 

Carradine, who was part of the Carradine acting dynasty that includes his brother Keith and late half-brother David, died on Monday, his family revealed in a somber statement to Deadline.

They noted that Carradine had lived with and fought with bipolar disorder for two decades, but he ultimately took his own life.

At the time of his passing, Carradine was working on film The Driver, also known as Driving Into Darkness.

His director Connie Lamothe has now told TMZ that Carradine went 'radio silent' in January, leaving producers concerned for his welfare.

Lamothe claimed one of Carradine's friends 'who is also in the cast knew of his struggles with mental health. So, they decided to give him some space... and hoped he would return.'

Carradine was to play a mob boss in the film with Lamothe saying he wanted 'to show he could do more than comedy and westerns.'

She said Carradine was 'delightful and always cheerful' when they spoke.

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Carradine for comment about Lamothe's statement.  

'It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away,' his family announced on Monday. 

The statement continued, 'In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to everyone around him.'

Carradine's family said they were '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,' the statement concluded.

Daily Mail previously reached out to representatives for Carradine's brother, Keith, and his niece, actress Martha Plimpton.

Robert's daughter Ever Carradine posted an emotional statement to Instagram in which she shared memories on their relationship, urging his fans to replicate his kindness in his memory.

'My dad died today,' said Ever, who Robert welcomed with Susan Snyder. 'He was all heart, and in a world so full of conflict and division, I think we can all take a page out of his book today, open our hearts and feel and share the love.

'I have a thousand stories and I’m being flooded with memories - so if you see me, please ask me about my dad, Bobby Carradine, who made me who I am.'

Ever ended the emotional statement in saying, 'Rest easy, dad. I love you the most.'

Keith told Deadline in a statement on Monday that the family wanted people to understand that Robert had been valiant and courageous in his struggle with bipolar disorder over the past two decades. 

'We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,' Keith 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.'

He concluded, 'We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was. That’s who my baby brother was.'

Carradine's Lizzie McGuire costar Hilary Duff said on Instagram Monday, '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.'

Duff wrapped up in saying, 'My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him.'

Robert was born March 24, 1954 in Los Angeles into the Carradine show business family.

His parents were actors John Carradine and Sonia Sorel, and his brothers were Disney Imagineer Christopher Carradine; and actors Keith Carradine and the late David Carradine, who died in June of 2009 at 72. 

David was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room on June 4, 2009, with investigators saying he died in an instance of asphyxiation. 

Medical examiner Dr. Michael Baden, who conducted a private autopsy on David, said that 'he didn't die of natural causes, and he didn't die of suicidal causes from the nature of the ligatures around the body, so that leaves some kind of accidental death.'

Robert began working as a child actor, with his first appearance in motion pictures coming in 1972 in The Cowboys with John Wayne.

Robert also appeared in 1973's Main Street from feted filmmaker Martin Scorsese; and in the famed 1978 movie Coming Home with Jane Fonda and Jon Voight.

One of his most prominent roles came as Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds, which also starred Anthony Edwards, Curtis Armstrong and Timothy Busfield. 

He reprised the roles for sequels such as 1987's Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise and two TV films: 1992's Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation and 1994's Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love. 

Carradine famously played the role of Sam McGuire on 65 episodes of the TV Series from 2001–2004, and in the 2003 motion picture based on the popular franchise with Duff in the titular role.

Robert appeared alongside brothers David and Keith in 1980's The Long Riders, which also featured members of famed Hollywood acting families such as the Quaids, Guests and Keach family.

Robert Carradine's tragic mental health woes appeared to surface in Colorado March of 2015 when his estranged wife, Edith Carradine said that he purposely tried to drive directly into a semi-truck.

Edith said in legal docs in their split that Robert had 'confessed to [her] and our two children that he deliberately drove into the truck to kill us both.'

Edith said Robert had been deeply depressed in the wake of his brother David's death.

She requested the court award her possession of 17 guns Robert owned, out of concerns he would harm himself.

Robert told the court in a May 2017 response that his estranged wife had cut off his bipolar medication, leading to his fragile state of mind at the time of the incident. 

Online, a number of fans were remembering Robert warmly, frequently mentioning his work in Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire. 

'Losing Robert Carradine at 71 is a tough one,' said one X user. 'A generation of kids grew up watching him as Sam McGuire and he brought a warmth to that role that made the whole show feel like home. Rest easy.'

One fan said, 'Sad news. Loved him in Revenge of the Nerds. RIP Robert.' 

Said one user: 'Robert Carradine was a good actor. 'Revenge of the Nerds' came out when I was a baby, but I saw it in the early 90s. 

'I also saw him in The Tommyknockers & Escape From L.A. I hope he's at peace now.' 

Another added, 'RIP Robert. You’ll always be Lewis to me and I still love Revenge of the Nerds to this day. 2026 man….'

Robert is survived by children Ever, Marika and Ian, in addition to grandchildren, siblings, nieces, and nephews. 

If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.