Chad McQueen, “Karate Kid” star and son of Steve McQueen, dies at the age of 63

Chad McQueen, son of legendary actor Steve McQueen, who played “Dutch” in the “Karate Kid” film series, died on Wednesday in Palm Springs. He was 63 years old.

His wife Jeanie and children Chase and Madison said in a statement to Diversity, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father, Chad McQueen. His remarkable life as a loving father and his unwavering commitment to our mother were true examples of a life of love and dedication,” the statement said. “His passion for racing not only highlighted his extraordinary talent, but was also a way to honor his father’s legacy, a testament to the values ​​instilled in him.”

It continued: “He has passed on his passion, knowledge and dedication to us and we will carry on not only his legacy but that of our grandfather. As a family, we must navigate this difficult time and we respectfully request privacy as we remember and celebrate his extraordinary life.”

McQueen is best known for his role as “Dutch” in The Karate Kid (1984) and its sequel The Karate Kid II (1986). His portrayal of a Cobra Kai member was iconic in ’80s pop culture. His character in particular displayed a ruthless attitude, encouraging Johnny Lawrence (played by William “Billy” Zabka) to brutally beat Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) on the night of the Halloween dance.

His character also taunts and threatens the New Jersey native before the All-Valley Tournament. In the second season of the television series “Cobra Kai,” it is revealed that Dutch is serving a prison sentence. Although there were talks about a possible appearance by McQueen in the series, scheduling issues reportedly prevented this from happening.

Although he went on to appear in other films such as New York Cop (1993) and Red Line (1995), his film career was not as extensive as his father’s. However, McQueen followed in his father’s footsteps and had a successful career in auto racing, his true passion. He competed professionally in events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring, and founded McQueen Racing, a company that develops high-performance cars and motorcycles, continuing the family tradition of passion for cars.

In 2006, McQueen suffered a near-fatal accident while practicing for the Rolex 24 race at Daytona International Speedway. Although he ultimately pulled through, the accident effectively ended his career as a professional racer, but he remained involved in motorsports through his company and other ventures.

McQueen was born on December 28, 1960 in Los Angeles. He grew up in Malibu.

He leaves behind his wife Jeanie and his children Chase, Madison and Steven, a professional actor who is best known for his role in “The Vampire Diaries”.