Robert Carradine’s Family Sues UCLA, Alleging Psychiatric Unit Failed to Protect Actor

LOS ANGELES — The family of actor Robert Carradine has filed a wrongful-death and elder-abuse lawsuit against the University of California, alleging that serious failures at UCLA’s psychiatric facility contributed to the actor’s death earlier this year.

Carradine, best known for his roles in Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire, died at age 71 on February 23, 2026, after suffering a severe brain injury following a suicide attempt while receiving treatment at UCLA’s Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later ruled his death a suicide.

Family Alleges Multiple Safety Failures

According to the lawsuit, Carradine voluntarily admitted himself to UCLA on January 16 seeking treatment for ongoing suicidal thoughts. His family claims he entered the hospital believing that the locked psychiatric unit would provide a safe and structured environment where he could receive help.

Instead, the lawsuit alleges, hospital staff failed to follow basic safety precautions for a patient considered at high risk.

One of the central allegations concerns Carradine’s belt. The family claims staff allowed him to enter the secured psychiatric unit while still wearing it, despite his documented history of suicidal behavior. The lawsuit argues that the hospital’s own safety procedures should have prevented potentially dangerous personal items from remaining with him.

The family also alleges that a rolling bedside table remained in his room and that staff failed to conduct required observations at 15-minute intervals.

Questions About Patient Monitoring

The lawsuit further claims that Carradine was left without adequate observation for extended periods.

His family alleges that staff records inaccurately documented aspects of his care, including observations and participation in activities. They argue that closer monitoring could have allowed staff to intervene before the situation became fatal.

These allegations have not been proven in court, and UCLA and the University of California Regents have not publicly accepted responsibility for Carradine’s death. The Regents had not immediately responded to requests for comment when the lawsuit was reported.

A Career Spanning Decades

Carradine was born into one of Hollywood’s most famous acting families. He became widely known for playing Lewis “Lew” Lewis in the Revenge of the Nerds film franchise and later appeared as Sam McGuire, the father of Hilary Duff’s character on Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire.

His career also included numerous television and film appearances spanning several decades.

Carradine’s family has remembered him as a resilient and talented actor who continued working throughout his life. He is survived by his three children, Ever, Marika and Ian.

Lawsuit Seeks Damages

The lawsuit seeks general, special and economic damages from the University of California. The case is expected to examine whether UCLA employees followed appropriate procedures for protecting a psychiatric patient with a known history of suicidal behavior.

For Carradine’s family, the lawsuit is ultimately about accountability and whether his death could have been prevented.

The legal proceedings will now determine which of the family’s allegations can be supported by evidence and whether UCLA bears legal responsibility for the tragedy.