Actor Chad McQueen, son of Hollywood legend Steve McQueen, has died at age 63.
McQueen got his big break in 1984 when he was cast in the hit movie “The Karate Kid,” in which he played Dutch, the adversary of Ralph Macchio’s lead character.His attorney, Arthur H. Barens, told The Associated Press that he died on Wednesday.
McQueen followed in his father’s footsteps, both on screen and on the motor racing circuit.
His wife, Jeanie Galbraith, posted a tribute to him on Instagram, together, with their son Chase, and daughter, Madison.
McQueen is also survived by his son from a former relationship, Steven R. McQueen – an actor, who appeared in “The Vampire Diaries.”
Chad McQueen reprised his role in “The Karate Kid” sequel in 1986, as well as several other films, and also produced two documentaries about his father: “I Am Steve McQueen” in 2014 and “Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans” the following year.
His father, who shot to fame in the 1960s with action movies “The Magnificent Seven” and “The Great Escape,” died in Mexico in 1980 aged just 50, following surgery to remove a tumour.
Besides his acting career, McQueen inherited his father’s passion for cars. According to AP, he spent years racing professionally – including in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona races – but suffered a series of injuries as a result.
In 2010, he founded McQueen Racing, which he ran with his children Chase and Madison, creating custom cars and motorcycles and working with the movie industry.
