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Chadwick Steven McQueen (December 28, 1960 – September 11, 2024) was an American actor, film producer, martial artist, and race car driver. He was the only son and last living child of actor Steve McQueen (1930–1980).
Chad McQueen | |
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 McQueen in 2016 | |
| Born | Chadwick Steven McQueen December 28, 1960 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | September 11, 2024 (aged 63) Palm Desert, California, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1978–2001 (acting) |
| Spouse |
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| Children | 3, including Steven |
| Parents | |
Early life
editChadwick Steven McQueen was born on December 28, 1960, in Los Angeles to actors Steve McQueen and Neile Adams.[1][2] From an early age, McQueen was an enthusiast of automobiles, motorcycles, and racing, interests that he inherited from his father. He began racing dirt bikes by age 9 and, in three years, went on to win his class in the World Mini Grand Prix. He moved on to auto racing, winning his first race: the Mini Le Mans event, a children-only track created on the set of the 1971 film Le Mans, when McQueen was 10 years old. Before filming was completed on that film, McQueen enjoyed racing at triple-digit speeds down the straights while seated in his father's lap at the wheel of a Porsche 917.[1][3] At 12, he won his class at the World Mini Grand Prix.[4]
Acting career
editMcQueen began his career as a film actor, playing the character Dutch in The Karate Kid and The Karate Kid Part II. His further acting work included main roles in direct-to-video action films including Martial Law, Death Ring, and Red Line. He also worked as a producer, winning a Telly Award for his documentary Filming at Speed. After his retirement from acting, McQueen appeared as himself on various television programs related to motorsports, including Hot Rod TV and Celebrity Rides.
Attempts were made to arrange for him to reprise his role as Dutch in the series Cobra Kai, but commitments to his company, McQueen Racing, and problems with his racing injuries, prevented this. He almost appeared in the show's sixth season before backing out due to scheduling conflicts.[5][6]
Racing career
editHis professional racing career started in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA).[1] McQueen competed in several types of racing from Motocross to the Baja 1000. He teamed with Belgian racing legend Jacky Ickx and his daughter Vanina, piloting a trio of Porsche 959s restored by Porsche Motorsports for the 2004 Goodwood event. Also in 2004, he qualified for the SCCA Runoffs, winning multiple events. Racing for Westernesse Racing, he finished fourth.[citation needed]
In January 2006, he was seriously injured (suffering a broken lower left leg, two fractures to his vertebrae, and multiple rib fractures) in an accident at the Daytona International Speedway while practicing for the 24 Hours of Daytona Sports Car race. He returned to Daytona during the 2007 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona race to thank the medics and track workers who he said saved his life.[7] McQueen subsequently stated that his driving days were over and he wanted to become a team owner.[citation needed]
In November 2007, he returned to the Daytona International Speedway and got behind the wheel of the Brumos 1975 Ecurie Escargot RSR, driving it in the exhibitions at the Porsche Rennsport Reunion III.[citation needed]
In January 2010, he started McQueen Racing, LLC, a company that partners with leaders in the motorcycle and custom-car industries towards development of high-performance, limited-edition custom cars, motorcycles, and accessories.[8]
Personal life
editChad McQueen dated Jill Henderson White Pasceri in the 1980s, a USEF Equestrian rider and horse trainer. Jill is the daughter of trombonist Jimmy Henderson. He was married to Stacia Toten (who later wed Hockey Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille) from 1987 to 1990. The couple had a son, Steven R. McQueen (b. 1988), an actor, who was a regular in the television series The Vampire Diaries and Chicago Fire. McQueen married Jeanie Galbraith in 1993.[9]
His sister and only other sibling fathered by Steve McQueen, Terry, an owner of a Malibu film production company, died in 1998 of respiratory complications after a liver transplant, at the age of 38.[10][9]
Death
editMcQueen died from organ failure at his ranch in Palm Desert, California on September 11, 2024, at the age of 63.[9][11] According to a friend, Arthur Barens, McQueen had never fully recovered from an injury he sustained in a fall in 2020.[9][12] The Cobra Kai episode "Benvingust a Barcelona" was dedicated to his memory.[13]
Filmography
editSource:[14]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Skateboard | Competition Skateboarder #21 | |
| 1983 | Hadley's Rebellion | Rick Stanton | |
| 1984 | The Karate Kid | Dutch | |
| 1985 | Fever Pitch | Prisoner | |
| The Fascination | |||
| 1986 | The Karate Kid Part II | Dutch | |
| 1987 | Nightforce | Henry | |
| 1991 | Martial Law | Sean Thompson | |
| 1992 | Death Ring | "Skylord" Harris | |
| Where the Red Fern Grows: Part Two | Rainie Pritchard | ||
| 1993 | New York Cop | Hawk | |
| Firepower | Darren Braniff | ||
| 1994 | Sexual Malice | David | |
| Jimmy Hollywood | Audition Partner | ||
| Indecent Behavior II | Darrell Martine | ||
| Bullet II | Bullet | ||
| 1995 | Number One Fan | Zane Barry | |
| 1996 | Red Line | Jim | |
| Squanderers | John | ||
| 1998 | Papertrail | William Frost | Also executive producer |
| Surface to Air | Lt. Dylan "Raven" Massin | ||
| 2001 | The Fall | Manny Carlotti | Final acting role |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Chad McQueen". TCM Classic Film Festival. 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
- ^ Abeal, Marcelo (2015). Steve McQueen: The Race of His Life. Editorial Dunken. p. 41. ISBN 9789870280781. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
- ^ Garratt, Sheryl (November 7, 2015). "In the driving seat with Steve McQueen". The Telegraph. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
- ^ "Chad McQueen and TLD Launch McQueen Racing". Retrieved March 16, 2017.
- ^ "Cobra Kai co-creator reveals why 'unique' Chad McQueen never appeared on the show". The Independent. September 13, 2024.
- ^ https://x.com/jonhurwitz/status/1834432594710290766?mx=2
- ^ Stone, Matt (January 26, 2007). "On the mend, Chad McQueen returns to Daytona". MotorTrend Magazine. Source Interlink Media. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
- ^ Green, Hudson. "About McQueen Racing". McQueen Racing. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Barnes, Mike (September 12, 2024). "Chad McQueen, 'Karate Kid' Actor and Son of Film Star Steve McQueen, Dies at 63". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ "Terry McQueen; Daughter of Actor Owned Production Company". Los Angeles Times. March 21, 1998. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ Bechara, Diego Ramos (September 12, 2024). "Chad McQueen, 'The Karate Kid' Star and Steve McQueen's Son, Dies at 63". Variety. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ "Chad McQueen Dies: 'Karate Kid' Bad Guy & Son Of Screen Legend Was 63". Deadline. September 12, 2024.
- ^ Shaw, Angel (November 15, 2024). "Cobra Kai's Chad McQueen Tribute Explained". Screen Rant. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ "Chad McQueen". TVGuide.com.
External links
edit- Chad McQueen at IMDb
- McQueen Racing, LLC
- Garrett, Jerry (March 24, 2010). "Steve McQueen: 30 Years Gone, Not Close to Forgotten". The New York Times.