Photo: Getty Images
Reba McEntire shared a heartfelt tribute to late actor Robert Carradine, who died on Monday (February 23). He was 71.
McEntire, 70, shared a photo of Carradine on her Instagram story on Tuesday afternoon (February 24). She signed a message to him: “Rest in peace, my friend. So glad our paths crossed in this life. You were a ray of sunshine wherever you went. Love and miss you a bunch.”
Carradine was born on March 24, 1954 in Los Angeles, California. He was best known for Revenge of the Nerds, Lizzie McGuire and other roles throughout his career. Carradine’s family said in a statement: “It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away. In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon 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. 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.”
Others have shared heartfelt tributes to Carradine, including Hilary Duff, his onscreen daughter on Lizzie McGuire. Duff said, in part, that her “heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him.” Hallie Todd, Carradine’s onscreen wife and Duff’s onscreen mom on Lizzie McGuire, said “my heart is broken. I’m going to miss my sweet buddy so much,” as part of her tribute to her late co-star. Jake Thomas, Carradine’s onscreen son, said he “was fortunate to know Bobby for most of my life.” Carradine is survived by his three adult children (Ever Carradine, Marika Reed Carradine and Ian Alexander Carradine), siblings, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren.
“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,” Ever wrote, in part, in a tribute of her own. “I knew my dad loved me, I knew it deep in my bones, and I always knew he had my back. I think it’s partly because we basically grew up together. Twenty years age difference really isn’t that much, and while I never ever thought of him as a sibling, I did always think of him as my partner. We were in it together. I never wanted to let him down, and I wanted him to trust that I had his back the same way that he had mine. …My dad was a lover, not a fighter. 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. Rest easy, dad. I love you the most.”
If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide please call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.