Actor and film producer Chad McQueen, son of the late legendary actor and racer Steve McQueen, is dead at 63. McQueen died Wednesday of organ failure at his ranch in Palm Desert. His family confirmed his death in an Instagram post full of heart, reflecting on his life and legacy.
A Life Shaped by Hollywood and Racing
Born Chadwick Born Chadwick Steven McQueen on December 28, 1960, in Los Angeles, Chad’s destiny was to live in the spotlight. Growing up in Malibu, his mother, Filipino-born actress Neile Adams, introduced him early in his life to the world of entertainment. However, the true shadow cast over his existence came from a man who was a star in both film and auto racing: his father, Steve McQueen.
Steve McQueen, known for his rebellious nature, cool demeanor, and passion for racing, appeared in classic films such as The Great Escape in 1963, Bullitt in 1968, and The Getaway in 1972. Chad followed in his father’s footsteps both on screen and on the racetrack, with his equally tough and adventurous spirit.
Karate Kid to Racing
For many, the name Chad McQueen is probably synonymous with one character: Dutch, the aggressive Cobra Kai student of the first two Karate Kid movies of the 1980s. Anyone who grew up with the original franchise probably has his portrayal of the ruthless bully who likes to torment Daniel LaRusso, played by Ralph Macchio, forever seared into their psyches. Despite his lack of success outside the film, Chad did not return for The Karate Kid Part III or the popular Cobra Kai television series, where his character, Dutch, was reportedly serving time in prison.
However, Chad’s career extended beyond The Karate Kid. He also appeared in movies, such as Skateboard in 1978; Martial Law in 1991; New York Cop in 1993; Death Ring in 1992; and Red Line in 1995. Despite such opportunities, however, Chad soon realized his passion, just like his father, lay with racing.
In an interview back in 2005, he explained the reason for his focus shifting from acting: “I didn’t find acting fun anymore, so I decided to give racing a total commitment.” He had been racing professionally for some years, taking part in events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona. A horrific accident at Daytona International Speedway in 2006 almost instantly ended his racing career.
Carrying the McQueen Legacy Further
In 2010, Chad founded McQueen Racing, a company that builds high-performance cars and motorcycles. He did this in memory of his father, to take the name McQueen further ahead in the race line. To this date, his children Chase and Madison carry on his legacy of speed and adventure, as well as their grandfather’s.
He also produced several documentaries on his father, such as I Am Steve McQueen and Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans, further sealing his dedication to keeping his father’s memory alive.
A Family Man
Chad McQueen was far more than a celebrity; he was a family man who loved his family dearly. His children, Chase and Madison, along with his wife Jeanie, released a statement after his death that read as follows: “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.”
They also talked about his love for races and how that was not only one of his personal interests but also one of the things he did to keep his father’s memory alive. “He passed his passion, knowledge, and dedication down to us, and we will continue not only his legacy but our grandfather’s, too.
His mother, Neile Adams; his second wife, Jeanie; and another son, Steven, an actor from The Vampire Diaries and its spin-off, Legacies, survive him.
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A Life of Resilience and Courage
From his first-year racing to a near-death crash in 2006, Chad’s career was filled with injuries, yet his spirit remained unbroken. So many times, Chad’s father had him pegged: tough but at times tender; fiercely adventuresome, above all, determined to live his life to the fullest.
His death has left some void in the world of films and car racing, but his spirit lives on through his immediate family, his company, and the lives he touched. Friends and fans have been sending tributes to a well-lived life. Richard Rawlings of Fast N’ Loud said on Facebook, “The McQueen legacy is one of a kind, and Chad kept that cool, fearless spirit alive.”
Chad McQueen is remembered.
Chad McQueen’s path was one that balanced his dual passions for film and racing, but most of all, it was a commitment to family, legacy, and love. The stories of him and his father will continue to touch hearts with his children.
To honor his commitment to giving back, consider making a donation in his name to Boys Republic, a non-profit home and school for California’s at-risk boys.
