Chad McQueen, best known for playing rough-and-fearless “Dutch” in the popular Karate Kid franchise, is dead at 63. The son of the legendary actor Steve McQueen, Chad, died Thursday, September 11, 2024, at his Palm Desert, California, home. The announcement was made by his family on social media, inclusive of a heartbreaking tribute and one nostalgic photograph of Chad and his famous father.
His longtime friend and attorney, Arthur Barens, said the cause of death was organ failure. McQueen created quite an impact on Hollywood but set priorities elsewhere, from acting to a passion in motorsports passed on to him from his dad.
A Legacy in Hollywood
Chad McQueen worked on the Hollywood screen for more than two decades and features in over 25 films and television shows. He featured as the mean member of the Cobra Kai dojo known as Dutch in the original film “The Karate Kid” back in 1984. Dutch, together with William Zabka, who portrayed Johnny Lawrence, was well noted for torturing Daniel LaRusso, who was portrayed by Ralph Macchio through the film.
He reprised this role in The Karate Kid Part II, which came out in 1986, and then continued to take on more action-oriented roles in film, including New York Cop in 1993 and Red Line in 1995.
In later years, McQueen gave up acting and returned to the world of racing, similar to his father.
Racing Runs in the Blood
“I was always surrounded by film and motorsports, but motorsports attracted me more,” Chad McQueen said in an interview conducted in 2017. With a movie star father in Steve McQueen-an intense car guy in his own right-the young Chad just couldn’t help himself.
He participated in famous races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring. He loved the sport so much that after he had had a near-fatal crash in 2006, which put him into a coma and gave him a variety of other injuries, he did not feel that his decision was bad. “Motor sport is the strongest drug in the world,” he said during an interview.
In 2010, Chad created McQueen Racing, which is a company used for high-performance cars and motorcycle development. This gives a clear look at his profound legacy within the entertainment and motorsport industries.
Family Ties
Born Chadwick Steven McQueen was born on December 28, 1960, in Los Angeles. He was the son of Steve McQueen, one of the most celebrated actors of his generation, and the Filipino-American actress Neile Adams. He inherited his rugged, charming ways from his dad, as well as a love of adventure.
He is survived by his first wife, an actress, Stacey Toten; their son, Steven McQueen, who has been appearing regularly on the TV series The Vampire Diaries and Chicago Fire; his second wife, Jeanie; and their children Chase and Madison.
FAQs
1. What was Chad McQueen best known for?
Chad McQueen was best known for his role as Dutch, a member of the Cobra Kai dojo in the Karate Kid franchise. He also had a passion for auto racing and founded McQueen Racing, following in his father’s footsteps.
2. How did Chad McQueen die?
Chad McQueen passed away due to organ failure on September 11, 2024.
3. Was Chad McQueen related to Steve McQueen?
Yes, Chad McQueen was the only son of Steve McQueen, one of the most famous actors of the 1960s and 1970s.
4. Did Chad McQueen have any children?
Chad McQueen had three children: Steven McQueen, an actor, from his first marriage to Stacey Toten; and Chase and Madison, from his second marriage to Jeanie.
5. What happened to Chad McQueen after his acting career?
After his acting career, Chad McQueen pursued a professional career in motorsports, competing in races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He later founded McQueen Racing, a company focused on performance vehicles.
Chad McQueen’s legacy spans both the worlds of Hollywood and racing, a fitting tribute to a man who embodied the adventurous spirit of his iconic father while carving out a unique path of his own.
