Steve McQueen’s son and KARATE Kid star Chad McQueen has died at the age of 63.
TMZ says he died on Wednesday at his home in Palm Desert, California.
His lawyer confirmed that the actor had died and said that he had been having organ failure because of an injury he got years before.
When he died, Chad was with his wife Jeanie, their two kids Chase and Madison, and their lawyer, Arthur Barens.
Along with Ralph Macchio, he played Dutch in the 1984 movie The Karate Kid. He was also in the 1993 movie Firepower.
Chad was also a professional race car driver. When he was 12, he won the World Mini Grand Prix.
In a statement to Variety, his family said, “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the death of our father, Chad McQueen.”
“His unique journey as a loving father to us and his unwavering dedication to our mother truly showed what a love-filled and dedicated life looks like.”
“His love for racing not only showed off his amazing skills, but it was also a way for him to honor his father’s memory, which shows what values he learned from him.”
“He taught us his love, knowledge, and commitment, and we will carry on both his and our grandfather’s traditions.”
“As a family, we need to navigate this difficult time, and we kindly ask for privacy as we remember and celebrate his extraordinary life.”
Barens said he was “one of a kind” and that he “will be missed.”
Another thing he did was put an end to rumors that Chad played the same part he did in The Karate Kid in the last season of the hit TV show Cobra Kai. He confirmed that he did not.
Jon Hurwitz, who made Cobra Kai, said that he had tried to get Chad to show up.
He wrote on Twitter/X, “Dutch might have been the purest Cobra of all of them.” All the way through, it is cruel and dangerous. We liked that about him. And it was all because of how Chad McQueen played.
“We always hoped that Chad McQueen would be on the show.” And a few times it almost happened. Chad felt torn. He couldn’t race as much as he wanted to because of his injuries, but he was excited about the chance to play again with his friend @william_zabka. They had a great time making Karate Kid together.
In 1980, Steve McQueen tragically died at the age of 50, leaving behind only his son Chad. Steve’s first wife was the Filipina-American actress Neile Adams.
She was their daughter, and she died in 1998 at the age of 38.
