Robert Carradine allegedly raised concerns days before his heartbreaking death when he failed to show up to a table read.
According to Connie Lomothe — the director of Carradine’s final project, “The Driver” — she “knew there was something wrong” when he “went MIA” from her film.
She told TMZ Tuesday that the actor left producers worried when he went “radio silent” last month.
Producers didn’t know where he went or what he was doing, but a friend in the cast knew of Carradine’s mental health struggles, so they decided to give the actor some space. The cast and crew hoped he would return to work when he was ready, but he never did.
Page Six reached out to Carradine’s rep for comment.
Despite Carradine’s worrying behavior, Lamothe told the outlet she is “shocked and devastated” over his death and that during their time in pre-production, the “Lizzie McGuire” alum was “delightful and always cheerful” when they spoke.
She noted that Carradine had been super excited about the project — a crime drama in which he was playing a leading role as a mob boss — and wanted to show he could “do more than comedy and westerns.”
Robert took his own life after battling bipolar disorder, his brother, actor Keith Carradine, announced Tuesday.
“It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away,” his family said in a statement to Deadline. He was 71.
Keith added that he and his family wanted to raise awareness about his brother’s two-decade struggle with bipolar disorder.
Robert said he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after his brother David died by asphyxiation in 2009, according to TMZ.
He made his film debut in the 1972 John Wayne Western “The Cowboys,” but really made a name for himself as Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy “Revenge of the Nerds.”
Almost two decades later, Robert attracted a new and younger audience when he starred as Sam McGuire in the TV series and movie “Lizzie McGuire.”
Several of his co-stars from the hit Disney Channels series have shared touching tributes to him, including his TV daughter Hilary Duff and TV wife Hallie Todd.
Robert is survived by his three children: daughters Ever and Marika, and son Ian.
Ever, who is an actress herself and starred in “Handmaid’s Tale,” shared a heartfelt message about her dad after his death was revealed.
“My dad died today. 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 told her Instagram followers.
“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.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
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