Chad McQueen, known for his work in acting and auto racing, and famously playing the character Dutch in the first two Karate Kid movies, has passed away at the age of 63. He followed in the footsteps of his father, the legendary Steve McQueen, and made a name for himself in both industries, as per reported by Hollywood reporter.
McQueen passed away on Wednesday from organ failure at his ranch in Palm Desert, according to his long-time friend, Arthur Barens. He had suffered a fall in 2020 and was unable to fully recover.
Chase and Madison, his children, expressed their thoughts in a statement on Instagram.
“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.”
In the movies The Karate Kid (1984) and The Karate Kid Part II (1986), McQueen portrayed the character Dutch, a student of Cobra Kai. He was known for his antagonistic behavior towards Ralph Macchio’s character, Daniel LaRusso. However, McQueen did not reprise his role in The Karate Kid Part III (1989) or the current TV series Cobra Kai, as it was mentioned that his character Dutch was serving a prison sentence.
Chadwick Steven McQueen was born in Los Angeles on December 28, 1960, and grew up in Malibu. His mother, Neile Adams, was an actress born in the Philippines. Chadwick’s parents were married in 1956 and divorced in 1972.
He also appeared in several other films throughout his acting career, such as “Skateboard” (1978), “Martial Law” (1991), “New York Cop” (1993), “Death Ring” (1992), and “Red Line” (1995), all of which were written by Dick Wolf.
McQueen shared his father’s passion for auto racing and started competing at the young age of 10. He even won his first race, a special Le Mans event designed for children, which was organized on the set of his father’s movie “Le Mans” in 1971. McQueen’s racing journey took off from there, as he went on to participate in the Sports Car Club of America series, marking the beginning of his professional racing career.
In 2006, his racing career came to an end after a crash during practice for the 24 Hours of Daytona event at Daytona International Speedway.
McQueen Racing, which was established in 2010 and is currently managed by Chase and Madison, specializes in the development of high-performance cars and motorcycles.
Steve McQueen, known for his roles in iconic films like “The Great Escape” (1963), “The Cincinnati Kid” (1965), “The Sand Pebbles” (1966), “The Thomas Crown Affair” (1968), “Bullitt” (1968), and “The Getaway” (1972), captivated audiences with his talent and charisma.
Chad experienced a great loss when his father passed away at the age of 50 in November 1980. His father had been battling cancer and ultimately succumbed to a heart attack. Tragically, Chad’s sister, Terry, also passed away at a young age of 38 in 1998.
Chad’s mother, Jeanie, his second wife, and his son Steven, who is an actor recognized for his roles in “The Vampire Diaries” and its spinoff, “Legacies,” are also among Chad’s loved ones. Additionally, his grandson Michael is part of his surviving family.
A donation in his memory can be made to Boys Republic, which gives a home and support to vulnerable youngsters.
