Karate Kid star Chad McQueen dies aged 63

Chad McQueen, son of late legendary actor Steve McQueen, best known for his performances as Dutch in the Karate Kid movies, has died aged 63.

His lawyer confirmed the actor's death, saying it was due to organ failure caused by an injury sustained years earlier.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our father Chad McQueen,” his wife Jeanie and children Chase and Madison said on social media.

“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.

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“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 son of “King of Cool” Steve McQueen, Chad went on to appear in films like Fever Pitch in 1985, New York Cop in 1993, Jimmy Hollywood in 1994, Fall: The Price of Silence in 2001, and won a Telly Award for his documentary Filming at Speed.

He also had an extremely successful auto racing career, competing in events like the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring, and founding the company McQueen Racing in 2010.

"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."

However, his professional racing career ended in 2006 following a near-fatal crash while practising for the Daytona International Speedway’s Rolex 24 event.

Chad McQueen is survived by his wife Jeanie and three children, Chase, Madison and Steven.