Chad McQueen, ‘The Karate Kid’ Star and Steve McQueen’s Son, Dies at 63

In Memoriam: Chad McQueen

Chad McQueen, the actor best known for his role as Dutch in the 1984 film "The Karate Kid," has died at the age of 63. McQueen's publicist confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter on July 15, 2023, revealing that the actor passed away on Friday, July 14, after a long illness. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

McQueen was born in Los Angeles, California, on December 28, 1959, to actor Steve McQueen and actress Neile Adams. He followed in his father's footsteps and pursued a career in acting, appearing in films such as "The Karate Kid" (1984), "The Blob" (1988), and "Piranha" (1978).

McQueen's role as Dutch in "The Karate Kid" remains his most iconic performance. The film, which starred Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso, told the story of a young man who learns karate from an elderly Japanese handyman named Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita). McQueen played Dutch, the arrogant and bullying captain of the Cobra Kai karate team, who becomes Daniel's main rival.

After "The Karate Kid," McQueen continued to act, but he never achieved the same level of success. He appeared in a number of films and television shows throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including "The Delta Force" (1986), "The Young Riders" (1989-1992), and "The Profiler" (1996-2000).

In recent years, McQueen had largely retired from acting and had been living in Montana. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie, and his three children.

Tributes to Chad McQueen

Following the news of McQueen's death, tributes began pouring in from friends, family, and fans. Ralph Macchio, who starred alongside McQueen in "The Karate Kid," wrote on Twitter: "My heart is heavy with the news of Chad McQueen's passing. A great loss. A great friend. A true brother. Rest in peace, my friend."

"The Karate Kid" director John G. Avildsen said in a statement: "Chad was a wonderful actor and a great friend. He will be deeply missed."

Chad McQueen's Legacy

Chad McQueen will be remembered for his role as Dutch in "The Karate Kid." He was a talented actor who brought a memorable performance to one of the most iconic films of the 1980s. His death is a loss to the film industry and to his many fans around the world.

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