Chad McQueen dies: The Karate Kid star and son of Steve McQueen has died aged 63

Chad McQueen, known for his iconic role as Te Dutch's bully The Karate Kid Film, died Wednesday in Palm Springs, California. He was 63 years old.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our father Chad McQueen,” his wife Ginny and children Chase and Madison said on social media.

“His remarkable journey as a loving father to us, along with his unwavering commitment to our mother, truly exemplified a life full of love and dedication.

“His passion for running not only highlighted his exceptional talent, but served as a way to honor his father's legacy, a testament to the values ​​instilled in him.

“He has passed on his passion, knowledge and dedication to us and we will not only carry on his legacy, but our grandfather's legacy as well.

“As a family we must navigate this difficult time and we kindly ask for privacy as we remember and celebrate her extraordinary life.”

McQueen's lawyer, Arthur Barens, confirmed to TMZ that he died of organ failure at his ranch in Palm Springs.

McQueen was the son of 'King of Cool' Steve McQueen, whose passion for acting and race car driving he shared and followed.

Best known for playing Dutch in the 1984 film The Karate Kid and its 1986 sequel The Karate Kid Part IIMcQueen's portrayal as a member of Cobra Kai is one of the defining moments of 1980s pop culture.

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He went on to act in films like this fever pitch In 1985, New York Cop in 1993, Jimmy Hollywood In 1994, red line In 1995, Papertrail In 1998, Downfall: The Price of Silence in 2001, and won a Tele Award for his documentary Filming in motion.

However, it was MCQueen's auto racing career that was far more successful. He competed in events such as the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans and 12 Hours of Sebring, and in 2010 founded McQueen Racing, which builds custom cars, motorcycles and accessories.

“I didn't enjoy acting anymore,” McQueen told The Associated Press in 2005. “So, I decided to fully commit to racing.”

He continued to race professionally but suffered a near-fatal accident in 2006 while practicing for the Rolex 24 event at Daytona International Speedway.

He survived a broken lower leg and multiple vertebrae and rib fractures, but the accident ended his professional racing career.

McQueen went on to make the documentary i am Steve McQueen And Steve McQueen: The Man and Le MansAbout his father.

He was an executive producer of the film YucatanIn early development at Netflix from producers Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey, according to time limit.

Yucatan McQueen and family friend Lance Sloan, a Warner Bros. executive, had been trying to get off the ground for more than two decades when they found nearly 1,700 pages of notes and storyboards in a trunk after Steve McQueen's death. 1980.

The film follows a rebel salvage expert's search for Mayan treasure in the Yucatan Peninsula, and the original storyboard featured Steve McQueen in the lead role.

Sean Kanaan, who played Mike Burns The Karate Kid Part III And Cobra KaiTributes to McQueen took to social media, saying: “He left an indelible mark on the Karate Kid universe. Wishing his family strength and peace during this difficult time. RIP Chad.”