Jamie Lee Curtis has publicly mourned the passing of actor Robert Carradine, recalling their early romance with a heartfelt Instagram post. Carradine died Monday at age 71 after a long struggle with bipolar disorder, as confirmed by his family to Deadline.
The actress described their first meeting as a “very public meet cute,” occurring live on The Dinah Shore Show in the 1980s. At the time, both were part of a segment featuring Hollywood’s “nepo babies” – the children of established actors. According to Curtis, Carradine intentionally moved to sit beside her and kissed her on air.
Their connection extended beyond a fleeting moment. Curtis noted that Carradine was a father to a young daughter, Ever, who now works as an actress, and that their relationship introduced her to “domesticity and motherhood.” She also reflected on the interwoven nature of Hollywood relationships, referencing Carradine’s later romance with Melanie Griffith, who ultimately informed Curtis of his death. Griffith remains one of Curtis’s closest friends today.
Curtis shared a humorous anecdote about realizing Carradine had appeared in John Wayne’s The Cowboys, a film she admired, making him her first movie crush unknowingly. She added that Carradine later worked with her future husband, Christopher Guest, on the 1980 Western The Long Riders.
Despite their eventual split, Curtis emphasized their enduring friendship, as well as the continued bond between her and Carradine’s daughter. She concluded her post with a message of remembrance: “Rest in speed and humor and love, Bobby.”
This story highlights the complex web of relationships within Hollywood, where past romances and friendships often intersect. The candid nature of Curtis’s tribute underscores the personal impact of Carradine’s death on those who knew him, even decades later.
