Hilary Duff pays tribute to Lizzie McGuire co-star Robert Carradine as he dies
Hilary Duff and Robert Carradine (Taylor Hill/FilmMagic | WireImage)
Robert Carradine, the actor who played Hilary Duff‘s dad in hit Disney Channel show Lizzie McGuire, has died aged 71.
A statement released by his family said the actor took his own life after living with bipolar disorder for almost two decades.
“In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to everyone around him,” the statement read.
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“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.”
His brother Keith said, as per Deadline: “We want people to know it, and there’s no shame in it. 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.”
Following his death, Lizzie McGuire star Hilary Duff posted a tribute to Carradine on Instagram.
“This one hurts. It’s really hard to face this reality about an old friend,” she wrote.
“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.”
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