Chad McQueen, the actor who played Dutch in the “Karate Kid” saga, died Wednesday at the age of 63 due to organ failure, according to his family.
His wife Jeanie and his children announced the news, confirming the death of the actor, son of the legendary actor Steve McQueen.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Chad McQueen. 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,” the statement said.
“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 on his passion, knowledge and dedication to us, and we will continue not only his legacy but that of our grandfather as well. As a family, we must navigate this difficult time, and we kindly ask for privacy as we remember and celebrate his extraordinary life,” the letter concludes. Chad is survived by his wife, Jeanie, and children, Chase, Madison and Steven.
In 2006, McQueen suffered a near-fatal accident while practicing for the Rolex 24 event at Daytona International Speedway. His love of cars and racing was passed down to him from his father, Steve.
Although the actor recovered from the accident, his professional career as a pilot was over for good, although until his last days he was linked to sports thanks to his company.
Who was Chad McQueen?
Chad McQueen played the role of Dutch, one of the members of the Cobra Kai dojo, in the first two films of the 1980s franchise, “The Karate Kid.”
Fans of the films will remember him for being the one who encourages Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) to brutally beat Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) while they are at a Halloween party.
However, apart from a couple of low-profile films, Chad’s film career never managed to be as extensive or successful as his father’s. Where he did stand out was as a race car driver.
He competed professionally in events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring and founded the car and motorcycle design and development company McQueen Racing.
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