Chad McQueen, 'The Karate Kid' Star and Son of Steve McQueen, Passes Away at 63

Chad McQueen, ‘The Karate Kid’ Star and Son of Steve McQueen, Passes Away at 63

The actor Chad McQueen, best known for his role as “Dutch” in The Karate Kid series and son of Hollywood legend Steve McQueen, has passed away at 63 in Palm Springs.

As McQueen’s family shared and confirmed the sad news through a heartfelt statement, expressing their love for him as a dedicated father, husband, and son.

Chad was widely recognized for his work in films, his real passion lay in auto racing. Following in his father’s footsteps, Chad had a successful racing career, competing in prestigious events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

He also founded McQueen Racing, a company focused on high-performance cars and motorcycles, continuing the McQueen family’s legacy in motorsports.

McQueen’s portrayal of “Dutch,” a member of the infamous Cobra Kai in The Karate Kid (1984) and its sequel, The Karate Kid Part II (1986), cemented his place in ’80s pop culture.

His character, known for his antagonistic role, pushed Johnny Lawrence to go after Daniel LaRusso, making him an iconic figure in the franchise.

Although Chad had discussions about appearing in the Cobra Kai TV series, scheduling conflicts kept him from reprising his role.

Beyond acting, McQueen continued to make waves in the racing world until a near-fatal accident in 2006 at Daytona International Speedway ended his professional racing career. Nevertheless, he remained active in motorsports through his company.

Chad is survived by his wife, Jeanie, and his children, Chase, Madison, and Steven, the latter of whom is also an actor, known for his role in The Vampire Diaries.