McQueen reportedly had organ failure because he never fully recovered from an old injury.
Chad McQueen, known for his role in “Karate Kid” and his career as a race car driver, has died at 63. His family shared the news on Instagram on September 12. In their post, his wife Jeanie and their children Chase and Madison said, “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our father, Chad McQueen.”
McQueen passed away on September 11 at his home in Palm Desert, California, according to his lawyer, Arthur H. Barens. The cause of death wasn’t shared.
McQueen had been dealing with worsening organ failure after an injury in 2020 that he never fully recovered from, according to his lawyer.
His family said, “His incredible journey as a loving father and his strong commitment to our mother showed a life full of love and dedication.”
“He passed on his passion, knowledge, and dedication to us, and we will continue his legacy as well as our grandfather’s.”
Born on December 28, 1960, McQueen played the villain “Dutch” in the 1984 movie “The Karate Kid” and came back for the sequel, “The Karate Kid Part II,” two years later.
He also had roles in various TV shows and movies like “New York Cop,” “Death Ring,” “Firepower,” and “Red Line.”
In the 1990s, McQueen shifted his career from acting to auto racing.
He took part in big racing events like the “24 Hours of Le Mans” and the “12 Hours of Sebring.” However, in 2016, he had a serious crash while training for the Rolex 24 race at Daytona International Speedway, which almost cost him his life.
The crash caused him several injuries, including a broken left leg, ribs, and two spinal fractures.
After leaving racing, he started McQueen Racing in 2010, which creates custom high-performance cars and motorcycles. His children now run the company. According to the company’s website, “Chase and Madison work together as a dynamic team, continuing their father’s legacy while bringing their own love for racing.”
McQueen is also survived by his son, actor Steven R. McQueen, who is known for his role in the show “The Vampire Diaries.”
People started paying tribute on social media, including “Fast N’ Loud” star Richard Rawlings. He wrote on Facebook, “I just heard the sad news about Chad McQueen’s passing. The McQueen legacy is unique, and Chad kept that cool, fearless spirit alive. Our thoughts are with the McQueen family. Rest easy, Chad.”
