Chad McQueen, who followed in his father Steve McQueen’s footsteps as an actor and auto racing enthusiast, has passed away at the age of 63. He was known for his role as the bully Dutch in the original Karate Kid films.
McQueen died on Wednesday due to organ failure at his ranch in Palm Desert, as confirmed by his long-time friend Arthur Barens. He had been recovering from injuries sustained in a fall in 2020.
In an emotional tribute posted on Instagram, his children Chase and Madison expressed their feelings: “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. His passion for racing not only highlighted his exceptional talent but also served as a way to honor his father’s legacy, a testament to the values instilled in him.
“He passed his passion, knowledge, and dedication down to us, and we will continue not only his legacy but our grandfather’s as well. As a family, we need to navigate this difficult time, and we kindly ask for privacy as we remember and celebrate his extraordinary life.”
Chad McQueen portrayed Dutch in The Karate Kid (1984) and its sequel The Karate Kid Part II (1986), where he often clashed with Ralph Macchio’s character Daniel LaRusso. He did not appear in The Karate Kid Part III (1989) or the Cobra Kai series, where Dutch was mentioned to be incarcerated.
Born Chadwick Steven McQueen on December 28, 1960, in Los Angeles, he was raised in Malibu by his Filipino-born actress mother, Neile Adams. His parents were married from 1956 until their divorce in 1972.
McQueen’s acting credits extend beyond the Karate Kid series, with roles in films such as Skateboard (1978), Martial Law (1991), New York Cop (1993), Death Ring (1992), and Red Line (1995).
Sharing his father’s passion, McQueen began auto racing at ten, winning his first race during a children’s Le Mans event on the set of his father’s 1971 film. His professional racing career commenced within the Sports Car Club of America series, though it was cut short by a crash at Daytona International Speedway in 2006.
Chad McQueen later established McQueen Racing in 2010, which is currently managed by his children and focuses on developing high-performance vehicles.
Steve McQueen, a legendary figure in film, starred in iconic movies such as The Great Escape, The Cincinnati Kid, The Sand Pebbles, The Thomas Crown Affair, Bullitt, and The Getaway.
Chad was just 19 when his father passed away from a heart attack in November 1980 after battling cancer. He is also survived by his mother, second wife Jeanie, another son Steven, who acted in shows like The Vampire Diaries, and a grandson named Michael.
In honor of Chad’s memory, donations can be made to Boys Republic, an organization that supports disadvantaged children.