Chad McQueen death: Karate Kid star and son of Steve McQueen dies aged 63

Subscribe For Weekly Film News From Clarisse!

Subscribe For Your Free Life Cinematic Email!

Subscribe For Free To The Life Cinematic Email

Chad McQueen, famous for portraying the memorable character Dutch in the Karate Kid movies, passed away in Palm Springs, California, on Wednesday. He was 63 years old.

With great sadness, his wife Jeanie and their children Chase and Madison shared the news on social media about the death of their father, Chad McQueen.

His extraordinary path as a caring dad to us, coupled with his steadfast loyalty to our mother, truly showcased a life rich in affection and devotion.

His love for racing showcased not just his incredible skill, but also acted as a tribute to his father's legacy, reflecting the principles that were taught to him.

He shared his love for what he did, along with his wisdom and commitment, with us. We will carry on not just his legacy, but also that of our grandfather.

“As a family, we’re going through a tough period, and we ask for some space as we honor and reflect on his remarkable life.”

McQueen's attorney, Arthur Barens, informed TMZ that he passed away due to organ failure at his ranch located in Palm Springs.

McQueen was the offspring of Steve McQueen, famously known as the 'King of Cool.' He inherited his father's love for both acting and car racing, pursuing these interests just like his dad did.

Most famously recognized for playing Dutch in the 1984 movie The Karate Kid and its 1986 follow-up, The Karate Kid Part II, McQueen's performance as a member of the Cobra Kai has become a defining moment in 1980s pop culture.

This offer is exclusively for new subscribers. After the free trial period, the subscription will be £8.99 per month. The plan will automatically renew until you decide to cancel it.

This offer is available exclusively for new subscribers. After the free trial period, the subscription will cost £8.99 per month. The plan will automatically renew until you decide to cancel it.

He later starred in movies such as Fever Pitch (1985), New York Cop (1993), Jimmy Hollywood (1994), Red Line (1995), Papertrail (1998), and Fall: The Price of Silence (2001). Additionally, he received a Telly Award for his documentary Filming at Speed.

Nevertheless, MCQueen's career in auto racing proved to be far more triumphant. He took part in renowned competitions such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring. In 2010, he established McQueen Racing, a company dedicated to designing custom vehicles, motorcycles, and various accessories.

In 2005, McQueen shared with the Associated Press, "I no longer enjoyed acting. That's when I chose to fully dedicate myself to racing."

He continued to compete at the professional level but experienced a life-threatening accident in 2006 while training for the Rolex 24 event at Daytona International Speedway.

He endured a broken lower leg along with several fractures in his vertebrae and ribs, but the accident marked the end of his career in professional racing.

McQueen later created the documentaries I Am Steve McQueen and Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans, focusing on his father's life and legacy.

According to Deadline, he served as an executive producer for the film Yucatan, which is in its early stages of development at Netflix and is being produced by Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey.

Yucatan is a project that McQueen and his family friend, Lance Sloan, who works at Warner Bros, have been working to develop for more than twenty years. They discovered nearly 1,700 pages of notes and storyboards created by Steve McQueen in a trunk after he passed away in 1980.

The movie focused on a rogue treasure hunter's quest for Mayan riches in the Yucatan Peninsula, with the initial storyboard depicting Steve McQueen as the main character.

Sean Kanan, known for his role as Mike Barnes in The Karate Kid Part III and Cobra Kai, honored McQueen on social media with a heartfelt message. He stated, “He left a lasting mark on the Karate Kid franchise. Sending thoughts of strength and comfort to his family during this challenging time. Rest in peace, Chad.”