Jake Thomas is mourning the loss of Robert Carradine, the actor who played his father on “Lizzie McGuire” and remained a constant in his life long after the cameras stopped rolling.
Carradine, remembered for his roles in “Revenge of the Nerds,” “Lizzie McGuire” and “Escape from L.A.,” died at 71. His manager and brother, Keith Carradine, confirmed the death in a statement to NBC News, saying the actor “succumbed to” bipolar disorder after living with the condition for nearly two decades.
Thomas, who portrayed Matt McGuire, the mischievous younger son of Carradine’s character Sam, turned to Instagram as news spread, sharing a deeply personal tribute to the man he knew simply as Bobby.
‘More Than Anything, He Was Family’
“My heart hurts today,” Thomas wrote. “I was fortunate to know Bobby for most of my life. And he was one of the coolest guys you could ever meet. Funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, always a little eccentric.”
He added, “He was a talented actor, musician, and director. But more than anything, he was family. I have many fond memories of being with him and his family throughout my life. Good moments, challenging moments, and lots of laughs between.”
For Thomas, the relationship with Carradine extended far beyond a Disney Channel set.
“I looked up to him growing up,” he wrote. “And later in life, I came to realize he thought I was pretty neat, too. So I guess I was doing something right in his eyes.”
He closed his tribute with a note to Carradine’s loved ones. “My heart is with Marika and Ian. Rest easy, Bobby. Love you. – ‘Jaker.’”
The message reflected years of shared memories. Thomas grew up around Carradine, not just as a young actor learning the craft, but also as someone who felt welcome in his world.
Hilary Duff Says the Loss ‘Hurts’
Hilary Duff, who played Carradine’s daughter in “Lizzie McGuire,” also spoke out.
“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. 💔,” she wrote.
Duff’s words echoed what many former castmates expressed privately. On screen, Carradine played a gentle, slightly quirky dad. Off-screen, he carried that same warmth.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Brandi is behind all this.