Chad McQueen, The Karate Kid Actor, Dies At 63

Chad McQueen, best known for his performances in The Karate Kid franchise, died on Wednesday, September 11. He was 63 when he breathed his last. The news was confirmed by the family, who penned an emotional note, paying tribute to Chad. For the unversed, he is the son of the late actor and race car driver Steve McQueen.

Family remembers Chad McQueen

The cause of death was not disclosed. His wife Jeanie and his children Chase and Madison shared a statement on Chad's official Instagram handle. The post has two monochrome photos of the actor with a heartfelt note requesting privacy while they “remember and celebrate his extraordinary life.”

They started the note by saying, "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. His passion for racing not only highlighted his exceptional talent but also served as a way to honour 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 grandfathers as well. As a family, we need to navigate this difficult time and we kindly ask for privacy as we remember and celebrate his extraordinary life," the note read further.

They signed off by writing, "With heartfelt gratitude, Jeanie, Chase, and Madison".

For the unversed Chad also has a son Steven from his first wife Stacia Toten. He played the role of Elena Gilbert's brother Jeremy in The Vampire Diaries.

Who was Chad McQueen?

McQueen followed in his father’s footsteps, pursuing both acting and race car driving. He became well-known for his debut role as Dutch, the antagonist in 1984’s The Karate Kid, and its sequel, The Karate Kid Part II, two years later. Apart from acting, he also produced two documentaries about his father, I Am Steve McQueen and Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans.

While he starred in several films after the hit action franchise, including New York Cop, Squanderers and Red Line, he found his passion in racing, and eventually founded McQueen Racing, a company that creates custom cars, motorcycles, and accessories. His son Chase, who also races, and his daughter Madison now run the company.

He raced professionally for years, competing in the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona races before he suffered from a series of injuries owing to racing.

-With Inputs From AP-