Once upon a time,Jamie Lee CurtisandRobert Carradinehad their own Hollywood love story.
The Oscar-winning actress paid tribute to her former partner in an emotionalInstagram postTuesday, Feb. 24, following the news of Carradine's death. "I woke up to the news that Robert Carradine died," Curtis, 67, wrote alongside a black-and-white throwback photo of the pair.
She added that actressMelanie Griffith, her longtime friend and also a former girlfriend of Carradine, informed her of the beloved actor's death.
Carradine's brother, "Nashville" actor Keith Carradine, confirmed his death to USA TODAY on Tuesday, sharing the"Lizzie McGuire"stardied by suicideand had struggled with bipolar disorder.
Robert Carradine, the actor known as Lewis in "Revenge of the Nerds" and dad to Hilary Duff in "Lizzie McGuire," has died. He was 71. Carradine's brother, "Nashville" actor Keith Carradine, confirmed his death to Deadline late Monday, Feb. 23, saying the actor died by suicide. Look back on his career on screen and the red carpet.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call 988 any time day or night, or chat online. Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Actor Robert Carradine and his family attend the premiere of the TNT television movie "Monte Walsh" on Jan. 8, 2003, at the Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Robert Carradine attends the SBIFF opening night film and gala "Ask The Dust" at the Arlington theater on Feb. 2, 2006, in Santa Barbara, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Actors David Carradine and Robert Carradine arrive at the 18th annual Night of 100 Stars Gala held at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Feb. 24, 2008, in Beverly Hills, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Robert Carradine and Yaya Han attend a "King of the Nerds" panel at 2014 New York Comic Con at Jacob Javitz Center on Oct. 9, 2014, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Robert Carradine, left, and Keith Carradine perform onstage during the 24th and final "A Night at Sardi's" to benefit the Alzheimer's Association at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 9, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Robert Carradine attends the premiere of Focus Features' "The Zookeeper's Wife" at ArcLight Hollywood on March 27, 2017, in Hollywood, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Robert Carradine attends the 2023 AFI Fest screening of "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" at TCL Chinese Theatre on Oct. 26, 2023, in Hollywood, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> See actor Robert Carradine's memorable roles and career
Robert Carradine, the actor known as Lewis in "Revenge of the Nerds" and dad toHilary Duffin "Lizzie McGuire," has died. He was 71.Carradine's brother, "Nashville" actor Keith Carradine, confirmed his death toDeadlinelate Monday, Feb. 23, saying the actor died by suicide. Look back on his career on screen and the red carpet.If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call988any time day or night, or chat online.Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.
'A very public meet-cute' between Jamie Lee Curtis, Robert Carradine
Curtis recalled meeting Carradine during an appearance on the Dinah Shore talk show "Dinah!" in the late '70s, when the show featured a "bunch of second-generation actors," who Curtis joked that people would label"Nepo babies"today (Curtis is the daughter of actorsTony Curtis and Janet Leigh).
"Veronica, Cartwright and Bobby and I came on last, and Bobby rearranged where we were all sitting so that he could sit next to me and he kissed me, live on television," Curtis wrote. "A very public meet-cute."
Jamie Lee Curtis gushes about family life with Robert Carradine
Aside from her romance with Carradine, Curtis also forged a close relationship with the actor's young daughter, Ever Carradine.
"We became a little family, in a dirt-floored house in Laurel Canyon, and it was my first experience with domesticity and motherhood and partnership," Curtis wrote on Instagram.
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Robert Carradine dies:'Lizzie McGuire' and 'Revenge of the Nerds' star was 71
"I remember walking with Ever to the little Canyon market and bringing our laundry down to the laundromat below and folding her little clothes for the first time and the simplicity and beauty of Laurel Canyon in the late 70s."
In acomment under Ever's own tribute post to her father, Curtis wrote to her, "You both were my first loves. You so little and scared? Him so fast and funny and strong. He taught me what a father was."
Carradine, the son of actor John Carradine, got his start in acting in 1971 with a guest role on "Bonanza," before nabbing a role as Slim in the 1972John WayneWestern "The Cowboys" and its spinoff TV series. During that breakthrough period, he also starred in the Oscar-winning film "Coming Home" andMartin Scorsese's "Mean Streets."
"One day, I remember the sun hitting his face and me turning and looking at him and saying, 'Wait, were you in the movie 'The Cowboys?' Were you Slim?" Curtis continued. "He was my first crush in the movies, and I didn't realize it."
Robert Carradine tributes:Hilary Duff 'deeply sad' about death of 'Lizzie McGuire' dad
By 1980, with nearly two dozen credits to his name, Carradine starred as Bob Younger in "The Long Riders," a member of the James-Younger gang with brothers Keith and David Carradine. The Western biopic also featured Curtis' future husband,Christopher Guest.
"We remained friends after we broke up, and Ever and I have as well," Curtis concluded. "The long and winding road. Rest in speed and humor and love, Bobby."
Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Jamie Lee Curtis mourns ex Robert Carradine in nostalgic tribute
