KARATE KID Actor Chad McQueen Dies at 63
By Movieguide® Contributor
KARATE KID actor and professional auto racer Chad McQueen passed away on Sept. 11; he was 63.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our father, Chad McQueen. 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,” reads a statement put out by the McQueen family after his death. “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.”
“He passed his passion, knowledge and dedication down to us, and we will continue not only his legacy but our grandfather’s as well,” the statement continued. “As a family, we need to navigate this difficult time, and we kindly ask for privacy as we remember and celebrate his extraordinary life.”
McQueen is best known for his role as Dutch, a bully and one of the main villains, in the original KARATE KID series. After moving on from his acting career in the late ’90s, he committed himself to auto racing, founding a garage: McQueen Racing.
“I didn’t find acting fun anymore,” McQueen told The Associated Press in a 2005 interview. “So, I decided to give racing a total commitment.”
Though his personal racing career ended in 2006 after a near-fatal crash, he remained heavily involved with the sport through his company and other motorsport ventures. He also worked to preserve his father — Steve McQueen’s — legacy through his business, releasing two documentaries about his dad’s racing career.
While Steve was known as a daredevil and a “bad boy” for much of his career, he came to know Christ later in life and spoke boldly about his faith. He also became friends with Billy Graham.
McQueen is survived by his wife Jeanie and their three children, Chase, Madison and Steven.
Please be praying for the McQueen family as they navigate this difficult time.
