In a statement shared with Variety, his wife Jeanie and children, Chase and Madison, expressed their sorrow: “With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our father, Chad McQueen. His unwavering love and devotion to our family, and his incredible journey as a father, were truly inspiring. His passion for racing was not only a reflection of his own talent but also a tribute to his father’s legacy, values he passed down to us.”
The family’s statement continued: “He shared his passion, knowledge, and dedication with us, and we are committed to carrying on both his legacy and that of our grandfather. As we navigate this difficult time, we kindly ask for privacy while we honor and celebrate his extraordinary life.”
McQueen is best remembered for his role as “Dutch” in The Karate Kid (1984) and its sequel, The Karate Kid Part II (1986). Playing a member of the infamous Cobra Kai, his character was a standout in 1980s pop culture, known for his ruthless demeanor. In one of the film’s most memorable scenes, Dutch urges Johnny Lawrence (played by William Zabka) to mercilessly attack Daniel LaRusso (played by Ralph Macchio) during the Halloween dance. Later, Dutch mocks and threatens LaRusso before the All-Valley Tournament. In the second season of the hit series Cobra Kai, it is revealed that Dutch is serving time in prison. Though fans hoped for a return appearance, scheduling conflicts prevented McQueen from joining the cast.
While McQueen made appearances in other films such as New York Cop (1993) and Red Line (1995), his movie career didn’t match the fame of his father. However, McQueen found great success in auto racing, which was his true passion. He competed professionally in prestigious events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring, even founding McQueen Racing, a company dedicated to developing high-performance cars and motorcycles. In doing so, he carried forward the McQueen family’s deep connection to the world of automobiles.
Tragically, in 2006, McQueen survived a near-fatal accident while preparing for the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. Though the crash ended his professional racing career, he remained involved in motorsports through his company and various other ventures.
Born in Los Angeles on December 28, 1960, and raised in Malibu, Chad McQueen leaves behind his wife Jeanie, and their children Chase, Madison, and Steven R. McQueen, a professional actor known for his role in The Vampire Diaries.