Full Breakdown
Family Sues UCLA Over 71-Year-Old Actor’s Suicide at Psychiatric Hospital
8/17/2026, 8:55:31 PM
Family Files Wrongful-Death Complaint
The estate of actor Robert Carradine, 71, and his surviving children have lodged a wrongful-death lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court in August. The complaint targets the University of California Regents, UCLA Medical Center, and staff at the UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Westwood, alleging that the psychiatric care team failed to protect Carradine after he checked in with “suicidal thoughts.” The suit, spanning 27 pages, seeks unspecified general and wrongful-death damages and reimbursement for medical expenses incurred during his hospitalization.
Background: Mental-Health History and Admission
Carradine, the youngest son of character actor John Carradine, was born on March 24, 1954, in Los Angeles and had a long-standing diagnosis of bipolar disorder. In February, he voluntarily admitted himself to the UCLA facility after telling staff he was a danger to himself. According to the complaint, he died roughly 19 hours after admission.
Key Figures & Groups
- Robert Carradine — actor, 71, diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
- UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital — university-affiliated psychiatric unit where Carradine was admitted.
- University of California Regents — governing body named as a defendant.
- UCLA Medical Center staff (physicians, nurses, clinical care partners) — alleged to have acted negligently.
Claims and Allegations in the Complaint
The filing asserts that staff ignored two safety safeguards: they left Carradine’s belt on his person and failed to remove a table from his room, both of which could facilitate self-harm. It further alleges that staff were distracted during his intake, did not perform the required 15-minute checks, and later falsified care records to appear compliant. The complaint characterizes these actions as reckless, constituting elder abuse and neglect.
Official Response and Next Steps
The Los Angeles Times reported that both the UC Regents and UCLA Health were contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of reporting. The lawsuit proceeds in state court, and the family’s legal team has indicated that additional discovery may reveal further details about the facility’s protocols and any systemic shortcomings.
