Robert Carradine dies aged 71 following a nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder

Lizzie McGuire star Robert Carradine has died aged 71.

The Revenge Of The Nerds actor's brother Keith Carradine revealed his sibling took his own life after a "nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder", a mental health condition where you have extreme mood changes.

Robert's family said in a statement to Deadline: "It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away.

"In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him.

"We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobby’s valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder.

"We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness.

"At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss.

"With gratitude for your understanding and compassion."

Keith admitted Robert's bipolar "got the best of him", but insisted there is "no shame" in mental illness.

He added: "We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it.

"It is an illness that got the best of him, and I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful soul.

"He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day.

"We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was. That’s who my baby brother was."