Jamie Lee Curtis shares emotional tribute as she mourns first love Robert Carradine and recalls their Laurel Canyon family life in Los Angeles

Hollywood has a way of circling back on itself.

Old romances resurface in memories, friendships stretch across decades, and grief reminds everyone that behind the glamour, people are simply human.

That’s exactly what happened when Jamie Lee Curtis shared an emotional tribute to the man she once called her first love — Robert Carradine.

He was 71.

A Live TV Kiss That Sparked It All

Long before red carpets and decades-long marriages, Jamie was a young actress navigating Hollywood as the daughter of two screen legends, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh.

Robert came from his own acting dynasty — the Carradines — led by patriarch John Carradine.

Their paths crossed on an episode of The Dinah Shore Show, during a segment featuring what people today might casually call “nepo babies.”

Jamie later recalled how Robert rearranged the seating so he could sit next to her.

Then, without hesitation, he kissed her — live on air.

It was bold. It was impulsive.

And for Jamie, it marked the beginning of something unforgettable.

Building a “Little Family” in Laurel Canyon

What followed wasn’t just a fling. Jamie describes it as her first real taste of domestic life.

At the time, Robert was a single father to his three-year-old daughter, Ever.

When Jamie first met the little girl, she was in a hospital burn unit after suffering a serious hot water injury.

Jamie never forgot the image — a child wrapped in gauze, smiling brightly despite the pain.

Soon, the three of them were living a simple life in a dirt-floored house in Laurel Canyon.

They walked to the local market.

They carried laundry to the laundromat.

Jamie folded Ever’s tiny clothes and experienced what she now calls her first real encounter with motherhood and partnership.

For someone raised in Hollywood royalty, it was grounding. Ordinary. Beautiful.

Carradine Hollywood Ties Run Deep

Robert wasn’t just any actor.

He was part of the famous Carradine clan, which included his brothers Keith Carradine and David Carradine.

David’s death in 2009 in Bangkok made international headlines and cast a long shadow over the family.

The tragedy deeply affected Robert, and those close to him said he struggled in the years that followed.

Robert carved out his own career with roles in projects like The Cowboys, where he played Slim — a role Jamie later realized had unknowingly made him her early movie crush.

He also appeared in The Long Riders, which notably featured real-life acting brothers portraying historical outlaw siblings.

That film connected yet another dot in Jamie’s life — it co-starred her future husband, Christopher Guest.

Hollywood truly is a small town.

Fast Cars, Big Feelings, and a Dangerous Edge

Jamie remembered Robert as adventurous — sometimes recklessly so.

He loved racing cars and would speed along Mulholland Drive in a Corvette.

Looking back, she admitted it was a miracle they survived those thrill-seeking drives.

Their romance eventually faded, but the affection didn’t.

Jamie remained friends with both Robert and Ever over the decades.

In fact, it was actress Melanie Griffith — who once dated Robert and later became one of Jamie’s closest friends — who informed her of his passing.

Life, again, looping in on itself.

A Long Battle With Bipolar Disorder

Robert’s family confirmed he died by suicide after living with bipolar disorder for nearly twenty years.

They described him as a beacon of light, even while privately battling darkness.

In previous years, his mental health struggles had surfaced publicly.

Court documents from 2015 detailed a troubling driving incident involving his estranged wife, who alleged he attempted to crash their vehicle into a truck during a period of severe depression.

Concerns about his wellbeing, including access to firearms, were raised at the time.

Robert later stated in legal filings that disruptions to his bipolar medication had contributed to his fragile mental state during that period.

Mental illness stigma remains deeply entrenched, especially in high-profile families.

By acknowledging his struggle, the Carradine family expressed hope that his story might encourage more open conversations about treatment and compassion.

What’s Next?

For Jamie, the immediate next step is grief — and remembrance.

Her tribute made it clear that Robert wasn’t just a chapter in her romantic history.

He represented youth, discovery, and the first time she felt what it meant to build a home with someone.

For the Carradine family, the focus will likely be on privacy, healing, and continuing conversations around bipolar disorder awareness.

Robert leaves behind three children — Ever, Marika, and Ian — along with grandchildren and extended family.

In the broader Hollywood landscape, his passing may prompt renewed discussions about mental health support systems for actors navigating aging careers, family legacies, and personal loss.

If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available.

In the United States, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is reachable by calling or texting 988.

In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans are available at 116 123.

Summary

Jamie Lee Curtis paid a heartfelt tribute to her former partner and “first love,” Robert Carradine, following his death at age 71.

The two met during a live television appearance in the 1970s and went on to build a brief but meaningful life together in Laurel Canyon, where Jamie bonded deeply with his young daughter.

Carradine, a member of the famed Carradine acting family, had battled bipolar disorder for nearly two decades before his death by suicide.

His family described him as a bright presence who struggled bravely against mental illness, and they hope his story will help reduce stigma and encourage others to seek help.