Carradine Family Sues UCLA Over Actor's Psychiatric Unit Death

The family of Robert Carradine has initiated legal action against the regents of the University of California, filing a wrongful-death and elder-abuse lawsuit on Friday, August 9, 2026, that accuses UCLA of serious safety failures during the actor's psychiatric hospitalization earlier this year.

The legal filing centers on Carradine's admission to UCLA's locked psychiatric unit, where he had sought treatment in hopes that a structured medical environment would provide relief from his anxiety, according to court documents obtained by TheWrap.

Central to the family's allegations is the claim that hospital staff permitted Carradine to retain a belt upon admission, despite UCLA policies that specifically designate belts and belt buckles as prohibited items within the psychiatric unit. The lawsuit characterizes this as a fundamental breach of protocol for patients receiving inpatient psychiatric care.

The family further alleges that staff placed a rolling bedside table in Carradine's room, furniture they claim was not standard equipment for the locked unit. These lapses in safety procedures, the lawsuit contends, created dangerous conditions for a vulnerable patient.

Approximately 19 hours after his arrival at the facility, Carradine attempted suicide, according to the filing obtained by the outlet. The lawsuit alleges that UCLA failed to conduct mandatory 15-minute observation checks, leaving Carradine unmonitored for extended intervals.

Following the incident, Carradine never regained consciousness, the lawsuit states. He sustained an anoxic brain injury—caused by oxygen deprivation to the brain—and spent roughly five weeks in intensive care before dying on February 23, 2026.

The family's legal complaint also challenges UCLA's internal investigation into the incident, alleging that hospital records did not align with surveillance video footage from the facility. The lawsuit seeks multiple categories of compensation, including general damages, special damages, economic damages, and damages specifically related to Carradine's death. The allegations remain unproven in court.

TMZ.com previously reported on the family's announcement of Carradine's death in February. At that time, they described him as a beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother, and addressed his longtime struggle with bipolar disorder publicly, expressing hope that sharing his story would foster greater understanding of mental illness.

Carradine belonged to Hollywood's prominent Carradine acting dynasty. His father, John Carradine, was an actor, as were his brothers David Carradine and Keith Carradine. His daughter Ever Carradine also pursued an acting career. Robert Carradine gained widespread recognition for portraying Lewis Skolnick in the "Revenge of the Nerds" film series, and appeared in "The Long Riders" and Disney Channel's "Lizzie McGuire."

UCLA has not responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit.

Those experiencing a mental health crisis or who know someone in need of support can contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or through online chat at 988lifeline.org.