ACTOR Robert Carradine has died aged 71.

The Lizzie McGuire star took his own life after battling bipolar disorder for two decades, his family said.

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Lizzie McGuire’s Robert Carradine has died aged 71Credit: Getty
 

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Robert died by suicide after a decades-long battle with bipolar disorderCredit: Getty
 

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Robert played Hilary Duff’s onscreen dad Sam in the Lizzie McGuire seriesCredit: Twitter/Robert Carradine
His older brother, actor Keith Carradine told Deadline: “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 of 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.”

Robert got his big break with a role in Revenge of The Nerds in 1984, starring as head nerd, Lewis Skolnick.

He went on to find a new generation of fans starring in Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire, as Sam McGuire, dad of the title character.

His co-star Hilary Duff released a heartbreaking tribute to the actor, writing that she “always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents”.

She wrote in a tearjerking Instagram post: “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.

“My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him.”

He was born in Los Angeles to actress and artist Sonia Sorel and actor John Carradine.

Robert began acting as a child star, appearing in The Cowboys with John Wayne in 1972.

He is survived by three children and his brother Keith, who is known playing Tom Frank in the 1975 film Nashville.

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Robert in the hit show Lizzie McGuire starring with Jake Thomas, Hallie Todd and Hilary DuffCredit: Alamy
 

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Robert was described as ‘a beacon of light to everyone around him’ by familyCredit: Albert L Ortega
Robert’s daughter, Ever Carradine, shared an emotional statement on Instagram, writing that the late actor “was all heart”.

She wrote: “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.

“Whenever anyone asks me how I turned out so normal, I always tell them it’s because of my dad.

“I knew my dad loved me, I knew it deep in my bones, and I always knew he had my back.”

Ever added: “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.”

Tributes also flooded in from fans.

One wrote: “Losing Robert Carradine at 71 is a tough one.

“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.”