Jamie Lee Curtis is honoring her late ex-boyfriend Robert Carradine, who died at age 71 after a long struggle with bipolar disorder. The actress shared memories of their relationship and the early days they spent together, reflecting on how both Carradine and his daughter Ever became “my first loves.” Carradine’s family made the announcement of his passing on February 23, highlighting his fight with mental illness.
A Public Beginning on Live Television
Curtis, now 67, recalled their “very public meet cute” during a live broadcast on The Dinah Shore Show, where a gathering of second-generation actors appeared together. She referred to them as “Nepo babies,” including herself and Carradine, both children of famous actors. Carradine’s parents were John Carradine and Sonia Sorel, while Curtis’s were Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. During the show, Carradine rearranged the seating so he could sit beside Curtis, and he kissed her live on air—an unforgettable moment in her life.
Building a Family in Laurel Canyon
Beyond their romantic connection, Curtis described her bond with Carradine’s young daughter Ever, who was then three years old and recovering from severe burns.
“I met her for the first time there, this little girl wrapped in gauze with the biggest smile on her face and the most beautiful eyes,”
Curtis said. The trio formed a close-knit family in a simple house in Laurel Canyon, where Curtis had her first experiences of motherhood and partnership. She fondly recalled everyday routines like taking Ever to a local market and doing laundry, capturing the peaceful beauty of the late 1970s environment.
The Thrills and Risks of Life with Bobby
Curtis shared vivid anecdotes about Carradine’s adrenaline-fueled hobbies, such as racing a Corvette along Mulholland Drive, often at dangerous speeds. Despite the risks, she expressed amazement at surviving the experience. She also realized her early movie crush on Carradine after recognizing him from his role as Slim in the 1972 film The Cowboys. This recognition added another layer of meaning to their relationship years later.
Enduring Friendship and Reflection on a Shared Past
The couple remained friends even after their romance ended, as did Curtis and Ever. Curtis noted that Carradine appeared alongside her husband Christopher Guest—whom she married in 1984—in the movie The Long Riders. In her tribute on Instagram, Curtis wrote about their “long and winding road” and wished Carradine to
“rest in speed and humor and love.”
Family Statement on Carradine’s Battle and Legacy
On February 23, Carradine’s family issued a heartfelt statement describing him as a “beacon of light” in dark times, commending his strength during a nearly twenty-year battle with bipolar disorder. They emphasized their hope that his story would help reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and asked for privacy during their mourning. The family expressed gratitude for support and understanding during this difficult period.
Career Highlights and Personal Life
Robert Carradine first gained recognition with his role alongside John Wayne in The Cowboys. His filmography includes appearances in influential movies like Mean Streets, Coming Home, and Escape from L.A. He is perhaps best remembered for his work in Revenge of the Nerds and as the on-screen father to Hilary Duff in Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire. Carradine fathered three children: Ever, with Susan Snyder; and Marika and Ian, with his wife Edith Mani.
Ever Carradine’s Touching Tribute to Her Father
Actress Ever Carradine, known for The Handmaid’s Tale, paid tribute to her father on Instagram. She reflected on growing up in Laurel Canyon with her single dad through the 1970s and ’80s, acknowledging that despite challenges, her upbringing was grounded because of his presence. She remarked on the closeness they shared, saying,
“Twenty years age difference really isn’t that much… We were in it together.”
Friends and Loved Ones Respond to the Loss
Melanie Griffith, who co-starred with Carradine in 1977’s Joyride and a mutual friend of Curtis’s, was the one to inform Curtis of Carradine’s death. Griffith also left a heartfelt comment on Ever Carradine’s post, describing Robert as “an extraordinary man” with a remarkable heart and expressing sympathy for the loss. Curtis responded publicly as well, sharing the depth of emotion connected to their formative years in Laurel Canyon and the powerful impact Carradine had on her understanding of family and fatherhood.
