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Chad McQueen, ‘The Karate Kid’ star dies at 63

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

His wife Jeanie and his children Chase and Madison said in a statement to Variety, “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our father, Chad McQueen.

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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,” reads the statement.

“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.”

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 Cobra Kai members was iconic in ’80s pop culture.

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His character, in particular, exhibited a merciless attitude and encouraged Johnny Lawrence (played by William “Billy” Zabka) to brutally beat up Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) during the night of the Halloween dance.

His character also mocks and threatens the New Jersey native before the All-Valley Tournament. During the second season of the TV series “Cobra Kai,” it is revealed that Dutch has been serving time in prison. Though there were talks of McQueen potentially appearing in the show, scheduling issues reportedly prevented it.

Although Chad McQueen would continue to appear in other films, such as “New York Cop” (1993) and “Red Line” (1995), his film career was not as extensive as his father’s.

@80sdeennice RIP Chad McQueen🌹Sad to hear we lost another member of the Cobra Kai family. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. He was 63. #ripchadmcqueen #chadmcqueen #dutch #thekaratekid #80s #genx #80smovies #favoritemovies #80skid #childhood #memories #foryoupage ♬ original sound – 80s Deennice

Following in his father’s footsteps, however, McQueen had a successful career in auto racing, his true passion. He competed professionally in events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring and founded McQueen Racing, a company that develops high-performance cars and motorcycles, continuing the family legacy of passion for automobiles.

In 2006, McQueen suffered a near-fatal crash while practicing for the Daytona International Speedway’s Rolex 24 event. Though he eventually pulled through, the crash effectively ended his professional racing career, but he has remained involved in motorsports through his company and other ventures.

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

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

What Other Media Are Saying
  • KGW reported Chad McQueen, son of Steve McQueen and Dutch in “The Karate Kid”, leaves behind a legacy of acting and racing after passing away at just 63-years-old. (Read More)
  • CBR shared the Karate Kid star Chad McQueen, known for playing bully Dutch, died at 63 after never fully recovering from a 2020 injury. (Read More)
  • Fox News reports Chad McQueen, Steve McQueen’s son and Karate Kid actor, honoured his father’s racing legacy before passing at 63 from an injury. (Read More)
Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions asked about this news

Who was Chad McQueen?

Chad McQueen was an actor and professional auto racer, best known for playing “Dutch” in The Karate Kid series and as the son of legendary actor Steve McQueen.

When did Chad McQueen pass away?

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Chad McQueen passed away on Wednesday at the age of 63 in Palm Springs.

What roles was Chad McQueen known for?

Chad McQueen was best known for his role as “Dutch” in The Karate Kid (1984) and The Karate Kid Part II (1986).

Did Chad McQueen have a racing career?

Yes, Chad McQueen had a successful career in auto racing, competing in events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and founding McQueen Racing.

Who survived Chad McQueen?

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Chad McQueen is survived by his wife Jeanie, and his children Chase, Madison, and Steven, who is an actor known for The Vampire Diaries.

Luke Chapman

Luke is an experienced writer from Brisbane. He worked for several publications in Sydney for a couple of years and then moved to work in several countries around Asia. He temporarily worked as a geography teacher in an international school in Bangkok and now he is a regular contributor for The Thaiger covering mainly Australian and New Zealand news.

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