Image Credit: Disney
Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Chad McQueen Karate Kid star death
Photo via Columbia Pictures/EDKO Films

What was ‘Karate Kid’ star Chad McQueen’s cause of death?

The actor passed away at 63 from an accident that happened years ago.

Not everyone is born to excel, especially when it comes to being the jack of multiple trades. But Chad McQueen’s career is one such example of the contrary — beloved actor, award-winning film producer, renowned race car driver, and martial artist. The man made his name and ensured that its legacy outlived him. And sadly it will, as McQueen has passed away at the age of 63.

Recommended Videos

The actor’s short acting career is majorly highlighted by his role in Karate Kid and its sequel, where he played Dutch, the mean bully from the Cobra Kai dojo who supported Johnny (William Zabka). But after starring in a few more films and TV shows, Chad hung up his acting cape, once again taking inspiration from his late father, Steve McQueen — he switched to reigning the world of auto racing, nostalgically sharing back in 2017 how his father’s love for cars “screwed me up for life.”

But sadly, just like his late father, his vibrant life of living his passions ended too soon.

How did Chad McQueen die?

He passed away on Sept. 11, 2024, at his home in Palm Desert, California. The cause of death has been revealed as organ failure. His second wife, Jeanie, along with their son and daughter, penned a heartfelt note on Instagram to share the tragic news of his passing and to pay tribute to the late actor.

“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 grandfathers as well.”

As shared by his lawyer, Arthur H. Barens, with Fox News, Chad sustained an injury back in 2020 from which he “never fully recovered.” While there is no information yet about this incident he failed to recover from, the junior McQueen was not a stranger to experiencing serious injuries. He was in a coma for almost a month in 2006 after his lung collapsed and he sustained multiple fractures in his neck, arm, ribs, and leg while practicing for the Daytona International Speedway’s Rolex 24 event.

Apart from his second wife and kids, Chad is also survived by his first wife, actress Stacey Toten (Back to School), and their son, the Vampire Diaries star Steven McQueen.


We Got This Covered is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Apeksha Bagchi
Apeksha Bagchi
Apeksha is a Freelance Editor and Writer at We Got This Covered. She's a passionate content creator with years of experience and can cover anything under the sun. She identifies as a loyal Marvel junkie (while secretly re-binging Vampire Diaries for the zillionth time) and when she's not breaking her back typing on her laptop for hours, you can likely find her curled up on the couch with a murder mystery and her cat dozing on her lap.