Robert Carradine

I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Robert Carradine. He took his own life after years of battling bipolar disorder.

My friend and I once saw him out at an L.A. restaurant. For whatever reason we introduced ourselves—we’re fans—and I remember him sweetly saying, “I’m Bobby” and shaking hands.

He played the ultimate, iconic nerd in the Revenge of the Nerds films, but it was a total performance—I remember in person being struck at how cool and un-nerdy he seemed.

The original Nerds got a lot of play on videotape in our house in the mid-1980s. I found it hilarious and entertaining, but also structurally sound—all the arcs work.

I still love the final “I’m a nerd” speech followed by Queen’s “We Are the Champions.” Great stuff. And you gotta love Ogre.

R.I.P.