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Fans of the “Karate Kid” franchise have lost a beloved figure.
Actor Chad McQueen, the only son of the late Hollywood icon Steve McQueen and perhaps best known for portraying the character Dutch in the “Karate Kid” movies, has died. He was 63.
Born Chadwick Steve McQueen, the actor passed away on Wednesday, September 11, at his home in Palm Desert, Calif., according to his longtime attorney, Arthur Barens, who spoke with TMZ.
Barens said McQueen’s cause of death was organ failure. McQueen reportedly sustained an injury a few years ago, which ultimately caused progressive organ failure.
McQueen was reportedly surrounded by his children, life partner and Barens when he died.
The news of McQueen’s death was confirmed by his wife, Jeanie, and two of his children — daughter Madison and son Chase — in a statement posted on Instagram.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our father Chad McQueen,” the family captioned two black and white photos posted on Chad and Steve McQueen’s Instagram accounts.
“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 grandfather’s as well,” the statement continued.
“As a family we need to navigate this difficult time and we kindly ask for privacy as we remember and celebrate his extraordinary life.”
The post was signed, “With heartfelt gratitude, Jeanie, Chase, and Madison.”
McQueen is also survived by “Vampire Diaries” actor Steven R. McQueen, 36, Chad’s son from his first marriage to Stacey Toten. Chad and Toten married in 1987 and divorced in 1990.
In addition to playing Dutch in both 1984’s “The Karate Kid” and the 1986 sequel, “The Karate Kid II,” McQueen was known for his role in the 1993 movie “Firepower” and 1998’s “Surface to Air.”
A fierce protector of his father’s legacy, McQueen produced two documentaries about the Hollywood legend, “I Am Steve McQueen” (2014) and “Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans” (2015).
Like his father, Chad was passionate about auto racing.
Though fans wanted McQueen to reprise his role as Dutch for the “Karate Kid” spinoff “Cobra Kai,” he ultimately declined, choosing instead to focus on his company, McQueen Racing, which focuses on automotive projects, films and motorcycles.
In 2006, he nearly died in a car crash while practicing ahead of the Daytona International Speedway’s Rolex 24 race, according to Variety.
The accident ended his career as a professional driver.
It’s unclear whether that accident contributed to his health struggles in recent years.
The Post reached out to his attorney and manager for comment.