Ted McGinley and Robert Carradine were ‘real adversaries’ on ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ set

Ted McGinley says life imitated creation erstwhile he first met Robert Carradine connected nan group of “Revenge of nan Nerds.”

“When we started, we were benignant of existent adversaries,” he told Page Six successful an exclusive question and reply Tuesday.

McGinley played nan jock prima backmost astatine Adams College, who harassed a group of nerds, including freshmen Lewis Skolnick (Carradine) and Gilbert Lowe (Anthony Edwards), successful nan raunchy 1984 comedy.

“When I showed up connected set, they wouldn’t talk to me, they wouldn’t person thing to do pinch me,” nan “Shrinking” prima remembered. “And I was like, ‘OK, truthful this is wherever it’s going to be,’ and that’s wherever it was for rather a while. I genuinely didn’t for illustration nan nerds!”

But relations began to lukewarm erstwhile nan cast, which included John Goodman and Timothy Busfield, began 2 weeks of nighttime shoots.

“That’s erstwhile it each changed,” McGinley revealed. “We each had to beryllium location together, and truthful that’s erstwhile we became benignant of 1 big, beautiful group.”

In February, Carradine died by suicide aft a yearslong conflict pinch bipolar disorder. He was 71.

“It is pinch profound sadness that we must stock that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and relative Robert Carradine has passed away,” his family said successful a connection astatine nan time.

“In a world that tin consciousness truthful dark,” nan connection continued, “Bobby was ever a beacon of ray to everyone astir him. We are bereft astatine nan nonaccomplishment of this beautiful psyche and want to admit Bobby’s valiant struggle against his astir two-decade conflict pinch Bipolar Disorder.”

McGinley, 67, said he remembers nan first clip he heard Carradine fto loose his character’s unique braying laugh.

“Robert was truthful purely successful nan infinitesimal and truthful happy to beryllium that feline pinch this pouch protector nerd pack,” nan “Dynasty” alum recalled fondly. “And I retrieve looking, and I thought, ‘Wow, this is going to beryllium successful … he’s brilliant,’ and truthful was Anthony Edwards. They were a awesome team.”

The “Married pinch Children” alum tin presently beryllium seen successful nan Apple+ bid “Shrinking.” McGinley told Page Six that he is still a small gobsmacked astir playing other Harrison Ford.

“I ne'er successful my wild[est] dreams imagined that I [would] get this shot,” he marveled. “I retrieve ever going successful connected films and thinking, ‘I wonderment what it would beryllium like. [I’d] conscionable springiness thing to spot what it would beryllium for illustration to activity other a feline for illustration Harrison Ford, conscionable nan biggest movie prima successful nan world.'”

Fortunately, McGinley was not disappointed.

“It’s amazing. This has been that gift, it’s been that opportunity to conscionable watch,” he gushed, noting that he’s struck by Ford’s kindness to unit members.

“I ne'er thought I would beryllium connected a show for illustration this,” McGinley added. “I’m truthful honored that they would let maine to beryllium a portion of it.”