Chad McQueen, the son of iconic actor Steve McQueen and known for his role as “Dutch” in “The Karate Kid” film series, passed away on Wednesday in Palm Springs at the age of 63.
In a statement to Variety, his wife Jeanie and children Chase and Madison expressed their sorrow, saying, “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our father, Chad McQueen. His remarkable journey as a loving father to us, along with his unwavering commitment to our mother, truly exemplified a life filled with love and dedication.” They also highlighted his passion for racing as a way to honor his father’s legacy and affirmed their dedication to continuing his and their grandfather’s legacy.
Chad McQueen gained fame for his portrayal of one of the Cobra Kai members in the original “The Karate Kid” (1984) and its sequel “The Karate Kid Part II” (1986). His character was notable for his ruthless demeanor, especially during key scenes where he encouraged Johnny Lawrence, played by William “Billy” Zabka, to intimidate Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio). The TV series “Cobra Kai” revealed that his character Dutch had been imprisoned, and there were discussions about McQueen making an appearance; however, scheduling conflicts hindered this.
While he acted in other films like “New York Cop” (1993) and “Red Line” (1995), McQueen’s film career did not reach the heights of his father’s. Nonetheless, he followed a different but equally passionate path in auto racing. McQueen participated in high-profile events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring, and he established McQueen Racing, which focuses on developing high-performance vehicles and motorcycles.
In 2006, he was involved in a serious crash during practices for the Daytona International Speedway’s Rolex 24 event. Although he recovered, the incident marked the end of his professional racing career, though he remained engaged in the motorsports industry through his company and related projects.
Chad McQueen was born in Los Angeles on December 28, 1960, and grew up in Malibu. He is survived by his wife Jeanie, and children Chase, Madison, and Steven, who is known for his role in “The Vampire Diaries.”