Chad McQueen, 'The Karate Kid' star and son of Steve McQueen, dies at 63

Chad McQueen, son of legendary actor Steve McQueen who played “Dutch” in “The Karate Kid” film series, died Wednesday in Palm Springs. He was 63 years old.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father, Chad McQueen,” his wife Ginny and children Chase and Madison said in a statement to Variety. His remarkable journey as a loving father to us, his unwavering commitment to our mother, truly exemplified a life full of love and dedication,” the statement read. “His passion for running not only highlighted his exceptional talent but also served as a way to honor his father's legacy. worked, which is a testament to the values ​​instilled in him.”

It continues: “He has passed on his passion, knowledge and dedication to us and we will carry on not only his legacy, but also our grandfather's. As a family, we must navigate this difficult time, and we kindly request privacy as we remember and celebrate her extraordinary life.”

McQueen is best known for his role as “Dutch” in “The Karate Kid” (1984) and its sequel, “The Karate Kid Part II” (1986). His portrayal of one of the members of Cobra Kai was iconic in 80s pop culture. His character, in particular, displayed a merciless attitude and encouraged Johnny Lawrence (played by William “Billy” Zabka) to brutally beat Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) on the night of the Halloween dance.

His character also mocks and threatens New Jersey residents before the All-Valley Tournament. During the second season of the TV series “Cobra Kai” it is revealed that Dutch is serving time in prison. Although McQueen was discussed as potentially appearing on the show, scheduling issues reportedly prevented that.

Although he would go on to star in other films such as “New York Cop” (1993) and “Red Line” (1995), his film career was not as extensive as his father's. Following in his father's footsteps, however, McQueen had a successful career in auto racing, his true passion. He competed professionally in events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring and founded McQueen Racing, a company that produced high-performance cars and motorcycles, continuing the family legacy of passion for automobiles.

In 2006, McQueen suffered a near-fatal accident while practicing for the Rolex 24 event at Daytona International Speedway. Although he eventually pulled over, the crash effectively ended his professional racing career, but he remains involved in motorsport through his company and other ventures.

McQueen was born on December 28, 1960 in Los Angeles. He grew up in Malibu.

He is survived by his wife, Ginny, and his children, Chase, Madison and Steven, a professional actor best known for his role on “The Vampire Diaries.”