Tragic Karate Kid star Chad McQueen has paid a moving tribute to his late father, film legend Steve McQueen, months before his shocking death aged 63.
McQueen died Wednesday of organ failure at his home in Palm Desert, California, said his longtime attorney, Arthur Barens. TMZ.
McQueen was not only known as an actor, but was also the son of iconic The Great Escape star Steve, who died in 1980 aged 50.
His final Instagram post marked what would have been his father’s 93rd birthday on March 24, 2023: Chad shared a snapshot of himself as a child with his dad.
He wrote: ‘Happy birthday dad. I love you and miss you.
Tragic Karate Kid star Chad McQueen has paid a moving tribute to his late father, film legend Steve McQueen, months before his shocking death aged 63; pictured in 2004 in Los Angeles.
McQueen played Dutch, a member of the evil Cobra Kai gang in The Karate Kid (1984)
Chad was born on December 28, 1960. He was the only child of Steve McQueen and his first wife, Filipino-American actress Neile Adams; photographed together in 1964 in Santa Monica.
According to his lawyer, McQueen had been suffering from progressively worsening organ failure caused by a serious injury he suffered years earlier that ultimately led to his death.
He was reportedly surrounded by his children and wife Jeanie in his final moments.
In a statement to Variety, McQueen’s wife Jeanie and children Chase and Madison wrote: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Chad McQueen. His remarkable career as a loving father to us, along with his unwavering commitment to our mother, truly exemplified a life filled with love and dedication.
“His passion for racing not only highlighted his exceptional talent, but also served as a way to honor his father’s legacy, a testament to the values instilled in him,” they continued.
“He passed on his passion, knowledge and dedication to us, and we will continue not only his legacy, but that of our grandfather as well,” McQueen’s family concluded. “As a family, we must move through this difficult time and ask that we be given our privacy as we remember and celebrate his extraordinary life.”
Chad was born on December 28, 1960. He was the only son of Steve McQueen and his first wife, Filipino-American actress Neile Adams.
The couple also shared a daughter, Terry Leslie McQueen, who died in 1998 at the age of 38.
Neile married Steve in 1956, but the couple divorced in 1972.
McQueen was later married to Ali McGraw (1973–1978) and to Barbara Minty from 1980 until his death later that year from a heart attack shortly after surgery to remove multiple tumors.
After appearing in the original 1984 Karate Kid, Chad McQueen reprised his role in Karate Kid Part II, which was released in 1986.
According to his lawyer, McQueen died at his home in Palm Desert, California, surrounded by his wife Jeanie and their children; photographed in 2015 in North Hollywood.
The couple also had a daughter, Terry Leslie McQueen, who died in 1998 at the age of 38. Adams and McQueen married in 1956 and divorced in 1971; pictured here in 1966.
Chad (right) was the son of legendary Hollywood star Steve McQueen (pictured left on the set of his film Le Mans in 1971).
His character, Dutch, was one of the most reckless and aggressive members of Cobra Kai, but unlike many of his co-stars, McQueen never appeared in the popular sequel series Cobra Kai, which debuted on YouTube Red before moving to Netflix, where it will conclude its sixth and final season sometime next year.
In 2019, co-creator Josh Heald told Entertainment Weekly that McQueen had been contacted to reprise his role as Dutch.
However, scheduling conflicts prevented him from appearing, so his character was described as being in prison to leave open the possibility that he would appear at a later date.
McQueen was first married to Stacey Rae Toten from 1987 to 1990, and they share one son, actor Steven R. McQueen.
Chad married his second wife, Jeanie Galbraith, in 1993, and they had two more children, son Chase McQueen and daughter Madison McQueen.
McQueen initially followed in his famous father’s footsteps into acting with his first role, a small part in 1978’s Skateboard.
He never achieved a level of fame comparable to the elder McQueen, and had mainly small supporting roles in television and film, including several direct-to-video films.
However, he shared his father’s interest in racing, which was fostered when Steve would drive at over 100 mph with Chad sitting on his lap while filming Le Mans.
Chad would go on to become a talented runner in his own right.
McQueen’s acting career never took off like his father’s, but he followed Steve’s passion to become a talented race car driver; photographed in March 2023 in Palm Desert, California.
He is survived by his wife Jeanie and children Steven, Chase and Madison, as well as his mother Neile Adams, who is 92; Chad is pictured with Neile in 2022 in Palm Springs, California.
He competed in events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring, but his driving career came to an abrupt halt after a devastating crash in 2006 during a practice race for the Rolex 24 event at Daytona International Speedway.
The accident left him with a broken left leg and multiple broken ribs, and he also suffered two fractures in his spine.
But McQueen recovered enough to pursue his passion outside the cockpit, and in 2010 founded McQueen Racing, which collaborated with manufacturers to create high-end, limited-edition motorcycles and cars intended for racing.
He is survived by his wife Jeanie and children Steven, Chase and Madison, as well as his mother Neile Adams, who is 92.