Director Connie Lamothe is remembering the late Robert Carradine as “positive and upbeat” in the weeks before his tragic passing— and honoring the actor by dedicating what may have been his final film to him.
Inside Late Robert Carradine’s Last Conversation with Director Connie Lamothe
Carradine, 71, tragically passed following a nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder, his family confirmed. The veteran actor had recently been cast in Lamothe’s mafia film, “The Driver,” where he was set to portray the film’s don, Antonio Politano.
Production had faced delays during the pandemic but was finally moving forward earlier this year. Lamothe said Carradine had been enthusiastic about beginning the project.
“The last conversation was positive and upbeat,” she revealed in an interview with The Daily Mail. “He spoke to Wayne [Shipley, his friend/Lamothe’s colleague] and was good to go. There was nothing that suggested otherwise. That was in the middle of January. The discussion was mostly about specifics for the table read.”
Lamothe said Carradine — affectionately known as “Bobby” — was deeply enthusiastic about participating in the film’s table read, originally scheduled for Feb. 21.
“Bobby was very gung-ho about that. Wanted to come. Definitely wanted to do it. And so that was great. So we got everything all set. We had set the date for February 21 and Wayne, to be honest, was doing most of the communicating with Bobby, and all of a sudden he just stopped,” she said.
While concerned, she said they ultimately chose to give him space as production planning continued.
How Robert Carradine Will Be Honored in His Final Film
Although Carradine’s role will now be recast, Lamothe revealed the film will move forward in his memory.
“We’ll dedicate the film to him, without a doubt, because I think he deserved the part. And you know, just in my mind, he was that part,” she said.
The upcoming table read will also include a tribute to the late actor.
“We will definitely dedicate the film to him. And I think that we’ve decided that at the read, we’re going to go ahead and… probably a prayer and just talk about it a little bit,” said the director.
“Wayne was going to have somebody put together kind of a slideshow type thing. He’s got some great photos of Bobby.” She added, “I do hope that once we get this thing done… that people will watch it and maybe think of him and kind of maybe can see him in that role.”
Robert Carradine’s Family Reflects on His Legacy
Carradine’s family confirmed his passing in a statement shared with Deadline.
“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 built a decades-long career in film and television. He was widely known for his role in “The Revenge of the Nerds” and for portraying Sam McGuire on “Lizzie McGuire” from 2001 to 2004. His credits also included films such as “The Cowboys,” “Main Street” and “Coming Home.”
To me….some one who ends their life by suicide, does not poses any empathy for the one who have to live with his death. Once my one and only told me this, is why I could never ever put the ones I Love through such pain. OMG, having no regard for your loved ones. Wow!!!! Never Ever take your life. We suffer, not you so much. Common Sense.