Hilary Duff is mourning the loss of her on-screen father, Robert Carradine, who died by suicide at the age of 71 on February 24. As Duff reflects on her early-2000s memories amid her recent pop music comeback, she took a moment to honor the actor who played her dad on the beloved Lizzie McGuire.
Sharing nostalgic photos from their time on set, Duff opened up about the warmth and sense of security she felt as part of the fictional McGuire family. Her tribute was heartfelt and deeply personal, revealing just how meaningful those years were to her.
“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,” she wrote.
Duff went on to express sorrow over Carradine’s private struggles. “I’m deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him,” she added, acknowledging the pain behind the headlines.
Carradine portrayed Sam McGuire, Lizzie’s supportive and often humorous father, on the Disney Channel hit series that aired from 2001 to 2004. His performance brought a grounded, slightly quirky charm to the role, balancing the chaos of teenage life with steady parental warmth. For many fans who grew up watching the show, he became synonymous with the comforting presence of a sitcom dad navigating adolescence alongside his daughter.
Duff was not alone in her grief. Her former co-star Jake Thomas, who played Lizzie’s younger brother Matt on the series, also paid tribute to Carradine with a deeply personal message. Reflecting on their years working together — and the bond that extended beyond the set — Thomas described him as unforgettable.
“He was one of the coolest guys you could ever meet. Funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, always a little eccentric,” Thomas wrote. He praised Carradine as “a talented actor, musician, and director,” but emphasized that beyond his professional accomplishments, “more than anything, he was family.”
Thomas recalled years filled with shared laughter, creative collaboration, and even life’s inevitable challenges. His message highlighted the close-knit atmosphere that defined the Lizzie McGuire cast, a bond that clearly endured long after the cameras stopped rolling.
Lalaine, who portrayed Lizzie’s best friend Miranda on the show, also expressed her sorrow in a private Instagram post shared through media reports. In her tribute, she thanked Carradine for his “constant fatherly like support” and said she felt grateful for their final conversation — a sentiment that underscored the personal connections formed during the series’ run.
Carradine’s family confirmed his passing in a public statement, describing him as “a beacon of light to everyone around him” even during difficult times. They also revealed that he had battled bipolar disorder for nearly two decades, calling it a “valiant struggle.” In their message, they expressed hope that sharing his story would help reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.
“We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness,” the family said, while requesting privacy as they process their loss.
Born into the renowned Carradine acting family, Robert Carradine built a career spanning decades across film and television. Yet for an entire generation of millennials, his most enduring role remains that of Lizzie McGuire’s dad — the steady presence who offered guidance, humor, and unconditional love in the midst of teenage turmoil.
As Hilary Duff revisits the era that launched her career, her tribute serves as a poignant reminder of the genuine bonds formed behind the scenes. Beyond scripts and studio lights, there were real friendships and shared memories. In remembering Carradine, Duff and her former co-stars are honoring not only a talented actor, but a man who left a lasting imprint on their lives — and on the hearts of fans who grew up with him.