Chad McQueen, ‘Karate Kid’ Actor, Dies at 63
Mr. McQueen, the son of the famous actor Steve McQueen, is best known for his role as Dutch in the beloved 1980s film series "The Karate Kid."
September 12, 2024, at 11:01 p.m. Eastern Time.
Chad McQueen, who gained fame for his portrayal of "Dutch" in the "Karate Kid" film series and was the son of renowned actor Steve McQueen, passed away on Wednesday at his residence in Palm Desert, California. He was 63 years old.
His family shared the news of his passing in a social media post, alongside a childhood photo of him with his well-known father. According to his longtime attorney and friend, Arthur Barens, the cause of death was organ failure.
Chad McQueen has participated in over 25 films and TV series, taking on various roles as an actor and producer, among others. However, he is best known for his portrayal of Dutch in the beloved 1984 teen film "The Karate Kid."
In his role as Dutch, Mr. McQueen portrayed a vicious and mischievous bully from the Cobra Kai dojo. He hung out with Johnny Lawrence (played by William Zabka) and his crew, displaying a complete lack of compassion as they mercilessly attacked Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) on Halloween night, reveling in the chaos.
He returned to play the character Dutch in the sequel, “The Karate Kid Part II,” which came out in 1986.
Mr. McQueen later took on roles in additional movies such as "New York Cop," a 1993 action flick centered around a Japanese detective residing in the U.S. without proper documentation. He also starred in "Red Line," a 1995 thriller that follows the story of a car thief who becomes a victim of blackmail.
However, Mr. McQueen didn't remain in Hollywood for much longer after that. Instead, he chose to pursue a career in auto racing, just like his father had done before him.
"I grew up immersed in both film and motorsports, but I was always more drawn to motorsports," Mr. McQueen shared in a June 2017 interview with FlickFeast, a movie-focused website. He explained that his father's passion for cars had a profound impact on him, saying it "really shaped my life."
Mr. McQueen participated in prestigious competitions such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring. In 2010, he established McQueen Racing, a business focused on creating high-performance automobiles and motorcycles.
In February 2006, Mr. McQueen sustained significant injuries while preparing for the Rolex 24 race at Daytona International Speedway. He was in a coma for almost four weeks and endured fractures in his neck, leg, arm, and ribs, along with a collapsed lung, as he revealed in an interview with The Sunday Times in June 2017.
"Is there anything I'd alter? Absolutely not. Motorsport is the most powerful addiction there is," Mr. McQueen remarked during the 2017 interview.
Chadwick Steven McQueen entered the world on December 28, 1960, in Los Angeles. His father, Steve McQueen, was one of the highest-earning movie stars during the 1960s and 1970s, while his mother, Neile Adams, was an actress, singer, and dancer of Filipino descent. He spent his childhood in Southern California.
Chad McQueen made his film debut in the 1978 movie "Skateboard," which is recognized as the first feature film focused on the skateboarding phenomenon of the 1970s. He also appeared in "Hadley’s Rebellion," a 1983 drama that tells the story of a small-town boy who is deeply passionate about wrestling. In addition, he starred in "Fever Pitch," a 1985 film that follows a renowned sportswriter who falls into compulsive gambling while investigating the topic. His filmography includes "Surface to Air," a 1998 action movie featuring two brothers—one serving in the Navy and the other in the Marines—who journey to the Persian Gulf to prevent a coup.
He made several television appearances as well, featuring in shows such as “V” in 1984, “Jesse Hawkes” in 1989, “Search and Rescue” in 1994, and “Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool” in 2005.
He is survived by his first wife, actress Stacey Toten, with whom he had a son, Steven McQueen, who is recognized for his performances in TV shows like "The Vampire Diaries" and "Chicago Fire." He is also survived by his second wife, Jeanie, with whom he had a son, Chase, and a daughter, Madison.
