I can’t even believe that I find myself actually typing this. Revenge of the Nerds (1984) is one of the greatest movies I have ever seen in my life. It represents everything that was the 80s. It may have been the most famous “T&A” comedy of all time.” If you have not seen this 80s classic, you must see it today. Like, literally watch it today. And if by chance you have not seen this movie, walk in front of a mirror and slap the sh*t out of yourself. Shame on you.
I won’t even spoil the movie for you. But I will include the trailer in this article so you can see what you have been missing. So it is with an extremely heavy heart that I am writing that two of the main characters from the film have passed away. Robert Carradine, who played Lewis Skolnick, and Donald Gibb, who played Frederick Aloysius Palowaski aka ‘Ogre’. Strangely, both passed away at 71-years-old.
Carradine died from suicide. He took his own life after battling bipolar disorder, his brother and actor Keith Carradine told media outlets.
“It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away,” his family said in a statement.
“In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of 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,” the statement read.
“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.”
Robert said he was diagnosed with the condition after his brother David died by asphyxiation in 2009, according to TMZ.
Robert’s role as Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy “Revenge of the Nerds” really won over film lovers and made him famous. But a younger generation will recognize him as Sam McGuire. The father of Hillary Duff’s character, Lizzie McGuire on Disney Channel.
The other cast member who passed was Donald Gibb. Gibb dealt with a series of health issues leading up to his tragic death. The actor was battling throat cancer and suffered a heart attack just a few weeks before he died, his son, Travis, told TMZ.
Travis confirmed that his famous father’s cause of death was a result of his cancer. According to Travis, Gibb died Tuesday at his Texas home while surrounded by his loved ones.
Gibb also had a memorable role in the martial arts film Bloodsport as Ray Jackson. He was a friend of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s character Frank Dux in the film. They both fight in the kumite tournament.
It is truly a sad week. To know that these two beloved actors have passed away is a tough pill to swallow. Revenge of the Nerds had a profound effect on me. I feel like I actually knew these guys. I can’t lie. Normally, I could not give a sh*t what happens to celebs in Hollywood. But this one is different. This one really stings.
