Family of Robert Carradine, who died by suicide at 71, sues: "They were supposed to protect his life"
Six months after the passing of the "Lizzie McGuire" star, his family has filed a lawsuit against the psychiatric facility where he was treated, alleging gross negligence. The family claims the staff failed to follow basic safety protocols, allowing him to keep a belt and failing to perform required wellness checks, which led to a fatal suicide attempt.
The family of the late actor Robert Carradine filed a lawsuit on Friday against the University of California, which operates the UCLA psychiatric facility, alleging wrongful death, abuse, and neglect. Carradine was hospitalized at the facility just days before he took his own life last February at the age of 71, and his family maintains that failures in his care directly contributed to his death.
Carradine, best remembered for his roles in "Lizzie McGuire" and "Revenge of the Nerds," had been struggling with bipolar disorder for two decades. According to the lawsuit obtained by TheWrap, Robert entered the locked psychiatric unit "feeling relieved" and hopeful that inpatient treatment would alleviate his anxiety. He sought a contained and structured environment where he could find rest.
The lawsuit argues that these expectations were shattered by a harsh reality. "Instead of entering a safe environment, he entered a locked facility that violated a fundamental rule in the treatment of an inpatient psychiatric patient with suicidal thoughts, activity, and a history of suicide attempts," the document states.
The family alleges that UCLA staff allowed him to enter the unit while wearing a belt, despite the facility's own policy classifying belts and buckles as prohibited items. "The property form produced upon Robert's admission shows that the facility did not confiscate his belt," the filing notes. Furthermore, a small table on wheels was left in his room, which the lawsuit claims is not standard furniture for a locked psychiatric unit.
According to the complaint, Carradine attempted suicide just 19 hours later. "None of this would have happened if UCLA had the necessary knowledge, policy, or means. It happened because UCLA cut corners on two protective mechanisms designed to safeguard Robert's life."
The family further claims that the facility failed to perform required 15-minute wellness checks, leaving him unmonitored for long periods. Robert never regained consciousness; he suffered brain damage and spent five weeks in the intensive care unit before passing away on February 23, 2026. The lawsuit also alleges that UCLA failed to conduct an honest investigation, maintaining a version of events in their records that was contradicted by security footage.
Carradine’s family is seeking damages for the harm caused and for wrongful death. Robert Reed Carradine, born in 1954 into a prominent acting family, is survived by three children, including actress Ever Carradine.
Suicide is a preventable phenomenon. If someone in your circle is in crisis, do not hesitate to reach out. Encourage them to seek professional help and emphasize the importance of this step. In Israel, you can contact ERAN at 1201, SAHAR at 055-9571399, or reach the ERAN WhatsApp hotline at 052-8451201.
