Chad McQueen, ‘The Karate Kid’ star and Steve McQueen’s son, dies at 63

Chad McQueen, son of the legendary actor Steve McQueen who performed “Dutch” in “The Karate Child” movie collection, died Wednesday in Palm Springs. He was 63.

His spouse Jeanie and his youngsters Chase and Madison stated in a press release to Selection, “It’s with a heavy coronary heart that we announce the passing of our father, Chad McQueen. His outstanding journey as a loving father to us, alongside along with his unwavering dedication to our mom, really exemplified a life full of love and dedication,” reads the assertion. “His ardour for racing not solely highlighted his distinctive expertise but additionally served as a approach to honor his father’s legacy, a testomony to the values instilled in him.”

It continues: “He handed his ardour, data and dedication right down to us, and we are going to proceed not solely his legacy however our grandfather’s as effectively. As a household, we have to navigate this troublesome time, and we kindly ask for privateness as we bear in mind and rejoice his extraordinary life.”

McQueen is finest recognized for his position as “Dutch” in “The Karate Child” (1984) and its sequel, “The Karate Child Half II” (1986). His portrayal of one of many Cobra Kai members was iconic in ’80s popular culture. His character, particularly, exhibited a cruel angle and inspired Johnny Lawrence (performed by William “Billy” Zabka) to brutally beat up Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) through the evening of the Halloween dance.

His character additionally mocks and threatens the New Jersey native earlier than the All-Valley Match. Throughout the second season of the TV collection “Cobra Kai,” it’s revealed that Dutch has been serving time in jail. Although there have been talks of McQueen doubtlessly showing within the present, scheduling points reportedly prevented it.

Though he would proceed to seem in different movies, corresponding to “New York Cop” (1993) and “Purple Line” (1995), his movie profession was not as intensive as his father’s. Following in his father’s footsteps, nevertheless, McQueen had a profitable profession in auto racing, his true ardour. He competed professionally in occasions just like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring and based McQueen Racing, an organization that develops high-performance vehicles and bikes, persevering with the household legacy of ardour for cars.

In 2006, McQueen suffered a near-fatal crash whereas working towards for the Daytona Worldwide Speedway’s Rolex 24 occasion. Although he finally pulled by, the crash successfully ended his skilled racing profession, however he has remained concerned in motorsports by his firm and different ventures.

McQueen was born in Los Angeles on Dec. 28, 1960. He was raised in Malibu.

He’s survived by his spouse, Jeanie, and his youngsters, Chase, Madison and Steven, knowledgeable actor finest recognized for his position in “The Vampire Diaries.”