Former actor Chad McQueen is dead at the age of 63.
Chad McQueen, who starred as Dutch in the “Karate Kid” movie franchise has died at his ranch in Palm Desert, California.
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Chad was a father to Steven, Chase, and Madison McQueen. Steven announced the passing of their father on Instagram with a heartfelt tribute.
He wrote, “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.”
Chad and Madison McQueen attend Madison McQueen’s Baby Shower at Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert, California, on March 8, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Steven mentioned that his father, a professional racer, had a profound influence on his life. His own passion for racing not only showcased his remarkable skill but also paid tribute to his father’s legacy. This passion also reflected the values that were deeply ingrained in Chad McQueen.
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Steven added, “He passed his passion, knowledge and dedication down to us and we will continue not only his legacy but our grandfathers as well [sic].”
Steven expressed that the family is working through this challenging time and respectfully requested privacy as they honor and celebrate his remarkable life.
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Users responded to Steven’s post with an outpouring of love and prayers as the family mourned Chad. One user wrote, “Chad will always be missed. Love you guys,” while another fan shared, “Truly heartbroken. He was a kind and caring gentleman.”
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Another heartfelt comment read, “Oh my god. Just woke up to this terrible and sad news. I genuinely feel like I’ve lost a member of my own family. I just don’t know what to say other than I’m so blessed to have met him, and my thoughts are with the entire McQueen family. Rest in peace, mate.”
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Fans know Chad as Dutch in “Karate Kid,” a role he reprised in the 1986 sequel “Karate Kid II.” Chad was the only son of the famous actor, Steve McQueen. He looked up to his dad who had him riding motorcycles when he was only six years old.
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“I started racing at nine. It was a way for us to bond and spend weekends together, not throwing the ball around but racing motorcycles. I looked up to my dad and he’s someone I aspired to be as fast as,” shared Chad.
Chad admitted that he loved racetrack racing as much as it was risky and he saw people getting hurt or losing their lives. “I was surrounded by two things: film and motorsports, and motorsports always seemed to attract me more,” he noted.
Therefore, as a professional racer, Chad competed in various forms of racing, including the Baja 1000 and Motocross. He achieved early success, winning the World Mini Grand Prix at just 12 years old.
In 2006, during a practice session driving the Tafel Racing Porsche GT3 in preparation for a Grand Am GT Class race, Chad was involved in a serious accident.
Another car lost control and collided with him. The scene was chaotic, and it took several hours to extricate him from the wreck. Chad suffered numerous injuries, including a severely shattered leg and multiple broken vertebrae.
After undergoing numerous surgeries and spending many weeks in the hospital, Chad returned to his Southern California home to start his long journey to recovery.
His unwavering spirit played a crucial role in his healing. Realizing he’d been given a second chance at life, Chad made physical therapy his full-time focus.
While the effects of the accident never fully disappeared, his recovery was truly inspiring. His mind remained razor-sharp. He hiked several miles daily, swam, rode a bike, and drove. He even spoke about the possibility of racing again.
Now, the founder of McQueen Racing has passed away, but his influence on the racing world endures through his fans and his son, who has spoken about the profound impact it had on his own life.
