Jamie Lee Curtis mourns ‘first love’ Robert Carradine after his death aged 71 as she recalls forming a ‘little family’ with his young daughter when they dated in the 70s

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Jamie Lee Curtis is grieving the loss of Robert Carradine, whom she described as her “first love.” She fondly remembers the time they dated in the 1970s and how they created a close, family-like bond, especially with his young daughter.

Robert Carradine, a member of the famous Carradine acting family alongside his brother Keith and late half-brother David, passed away by suicide on Monday at the age of 71.

Remembering the actor fondly, 67-year-old Jamie Lee Curtis shared that she and he briefly dated in the 1970s, and recounted how he unexpectedly kissed her while they were on live television.

Jamie shared the story of how she and Robert met. It was on The Dinah Shore show, which at the time featured many children of famous actors – Jamie’s parents were actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, and Robert’s were actors John Carradine and Sonia Sorel.

Jamie and Robert quickly fell in love, and she became close to him and his three-year-old daughter, Ever, creating what she called their ‘little family’.

Jamie described her relationship with Robert, whom she once called her ‘first love,’ as her initial experience with building a home, becoming a mother, and being in a committed partnership.

Jamie shared a story about meeting Robert Carradine, recalling that she learned of his passing recently. They first met on the Dinah Shore show, which featured actors from famous families – what people now call ‘nepo babies’. She and Veronica Cartwright were among the last to appear, and Robert playfully rearranged the seating to sit next to her, giving her a kiss on live television – a memorable and very public first encounter.

I first met my three-year-old daughter, Ever, at the burn unit. She was a remarkably cheerful little girl, even though she was covered in bandages after a severe burn from hot water. Despite everything, she had a huge smile and incredibly beautiful eyes.

Living in a simple house in Laurel Canyon, we created a close-knit family, and I experienced the joys of home life, motherhood, and being in a committed relationship for the very first time.

I fondly recall walks with Ever to the small market in Canyon, and doing laundry together at the laundromat downstairs. Folding her tiny clothes for the first time felt special, and it really captured the simple, beautiful feeling of Laurel Canyon in the late 1970s.

She explained that Bobby had once made a movie with Melanie Griffith, and they were romantically involved. Years later, Melanie and she became very close, developing a lifelong friendship. It was Melanie who sadly informed her of Bobby’s death.

Bobby drove a Corvette incredibly fast on Mulholland Drive, and honestly, we’re lucky we survived.

I’ll never forget the day the sunlight caught his face, and I just had to ask, “Excuse me, were you in The Cowboys? Were you Slim?” Looking back, I realize he was my very first movie crush – I just didn’t know it at the time!

He also appeared in the film The Long Riders with my husband, Christopher Guest. The movie featured several sets of real-life brothers playing the roles of historical brothers.

She ended her post by saying they remained friends after their breakup, and she and Ever did too. She called it a difficult journey, and wished Bobby peace, laughter, and love.

Robert’s family announced his death to Deadline on Monday with a sad statement. They shared that he had been living with bipolar disorder for twenty years and died by suicide.

The family of Robert Carradine announced with deep sorrow that he has passed away. He was a loving father, grandfather, uncle, and brother.

Everyone who knew Bobby felt he brought a lot of positivity and joy into what could often be a difficult world.

Robert’s family is heartbroken by his passing and wants to share that he bravely fought Bipolar Disorder for almost twenty years.

We hope his story will help reduce the shame surrounding mental health issues. We are heartbroken by this loss and ask for privacy as we grieve. Thank you for your kindness and support.

Robert was born March 24, 1954 in Los Angeles into the Carradine show business family.

He came from a family of actors: his parents were John Carradine and Sonia Sorel, and he had three brothers – Christopher Carradine, a Disney Imagineer, and actors Keith and David Carradine. David Carradine passed away in June 2009 at the age of 72.

David died on June 4, 2009, in his Bangkok hotel room. Investigators determined he died from asphyxiation.

Okay, so Dr. Baden, the amazing Dr. Baden, did his own autopsy, and he told everyone that David absolutely didn’t die from something like a heart attack or anything natural. And get this – he said the way everything was tied up just didn’t point to suicide. That means…it had to be an accident, right? It just had to be. It’s the only thing that makes sense, and Dr. Baden said it himself!

Problems with his mental health became apparent in March 2015 while he was in Colorado. His wife, Edith Carradine, from whom he was separated, reported that he intentionally drove his vehicle towards a semi-truck.

In legal filings, Edith stated that Robert admitted to her and their two children he intentionally crashed into the truck, attempting to kill them all. She also noted he had been severely depressed after his brother, David, passed away.

She asked the court to give her the 17 guns owned by Carradine, fearing he might hurt himself.

In a court statement from May 2017, Robert said his wife, from whom he was separated, had stopped providing his medication for bipolar disorder, which contributed to his mental state during the incident.

Robert is remembered by his children, Ever, Marika, and Ian, as well as his grandchildren, siblings, nieces, and nephews.

If you’re struggling or know someone who is, please reach out for help. In the US, you can call or text 988 anytime to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In the UK, you can call Samaritans on 116 123. You can also find support through online chat at 988lifeline.org or samaritans.org.

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2026-02-25 12:04