Chad McQueen, son of Hollywood legend Steve McQueen and also an actor, has died at the age of 63. He was famous for playing the “Dutchman” in the film Karate for childrenThe family announced this in a short letter sent to the American magazine. Variety. “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of our father’s passing,” wrote his children Chase and Madison, along with their mother Jeanie. “His incredible journey as a loving father to us, and his unwavering devotion to our mother, gave us an idea of his life full of love and devotion. Chad was injured in a fall in 2020 and never fully recovered.
From Steve in Chad
Like father, like son… more or less. His father Steve, who died at just 50 years old following an operation to remove a tumor, had become famous in the 1960s with The Magnificent Seven And The Great Escape. Chad, like his father, also tried Hollywood. Martial law, Ring of Death, Red line then in 1984 Karate for children with his successor two years later. Nothing like his father's brilliant career. And he also followed in Steve's footsteps when it came to his immense passion for motor racing. In the note written by his children, we read how “his passion for racing not only showcased his exceptional talent, but also served to honor his father's legacy, testifying to the values he instilled in him.” He passed on his passion, knowledge and dedication to us and we will continue not only his legacy, but that of our grandparents as well.”
McQueen on four wheels
Indeed, McQueen is not the only one with the blood of the silver screen. Chad has been competing professionally for years, also taking part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona. A series of injuries forced him to end his career prematurely. Especially serious in 2006 during the tests before the American competition, during which he broke ribs, a leg and damaged two vertebrae. However, he did not abandon the four wheels: in 2010, he founded McQueen Racing, run with his sons Chase and Madison, creating custom racing cars and motorcycles. “I no longer found pleasure in acting – Chad himself admitted it in 2005 – so I decided to devote myself entirely to motor racing.” But he has not really managed to abandon the screen completely. Between 2014 and 2015, he made two documentaries about his father: I am Steve McQueen And Steve McQueen: The Man and Le Mans.