Actor Chad McQueen, the son of film legend Steve McQueen who appeared as a member of the Cobra Kai dojo in The Karate Kid, died Wednesday (September 11) at the age of 63, his attorney, Arthur H. Barens, confirmed to the Associated Press.
McQueen's cause of death was not yet publicly revealed. The actor's wife, Jeanie, and his children, Chase and Madison, shared a statement on his verified Instagram account announcing his passing Thursday (September 12).
"It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our father Chad McQueen," the statement reads. "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 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 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. With heartfelt gratitude, Jeanie, Chase, and Madison."
McQueen played Dutch, a member of the Cobra Kai dojo and an adversary to Ralph Macchio's protagonist character Daniel Larusso in the 1984 film The Karate Kid, as well as its sequel released two years later. The actor also starred in New York Cop, Squanderers and Red Line before shifting his focus on racing, founding McQueen Racing, a custom car, motorcycle and accessory company.