Chad McQueen, an actor known for his performances in the “Karate Kid” movies and the son of the late actor and race car driver Steve McQueen, has died. He was 63.
McQueen’s attorney and friend Arthur H. Barens confirmed to The Associated Press that he died Wednesday. The cause of death was not disclosed. His wife Jeanie and his children Chase and Madison shared a statement on Instagram Thursday afternoon from McQueen’s verified account, announcing the news of his death with “a heavy heart.”
“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,” the statement reads.
“He passed his passion, knowledge and dedication down to us and we will continue not only his legacy but our grandfathers as well,” the statement continued.
The family requested privacy while they “remember and celebrate his extraordinary life.”
McQueen followed in his father’s footsteps, pursuing both acting and race car driving. He became well-known for his role as Dutch, the antagonist in 1984’s “The Karate Kid,” and its sequel two years later.
While he starred in several films after the hit action franchise, including “New York Cop,” “Squanderers” and “Red Line,” he ultimately engaged more in racing than acting, and he eventually founded McQueen Racing, a company that creates custom cars, motorcycles, and accessories. His son Chase, who also races, and his daughter Madison now run the company.
“I didn’t find acting fun anymore,” McQueen told The Associated Press in a 2005 interview. “So, I decided to give racing a total commitment.”
McQueen raced professionally for years, competing in the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona races before he suffered from a series of injuries behind the wheel.
His work with McQueen racing was designed to preserve and continue his father’s legacy. McQueen also produced two documentaries about his father: “I Am Steve McQueen” and “Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans.”
McQueen was the only son of his father and mother, Neile Toffel. He had one sister, Terry, who died of respiratory failure at age 38 in 1998. He is survived by his wife Jeanie and three children, Chase, Madison and Steven, who is an actor best known for “The Vampire Diaries.”
FILE - Producer Chad McQueen poses for photographers during a photo call for the film, "Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans," at the 68th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, May 16, 2015. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau, File)
DENVER (AP) — Hunter Goodman and Ezequiel Tovar hit home runs, Ryan Feltner pitched into the seventh inning for his first victory at Coors Field in two years, and the Colorado Rockies beat Arizona 8-2 on Tuesday night, dealing a setback to the Diamondbacks' playoff hopes.
Tovar, who homered in Monday’s 3-2 win over Arizona, finished with three hits and drove in two runs. Goodman also homered Monday and connected for his 13th of the season off Blake Walston in the seventh.
Jacob Stallings and Jordan Beck hit run-scoring doubles and Brenton Doyle added a sacrifice fly for the Rockies. Bud Black also recorded his 535th win as Rockies manager, the most in franchise history, one more than Clint Hurdle.
“That's super special,” Doyle said of Black, who was doused with shaving cream and beer during a post-game celebration in the clubhouse with his players. “I'm sure he's pumped about it. It's a huge accomplishment for him and a huge accomplishment for the Rockies.”
Christian Walker homered and Pavin Smith had two doubles and scored a run for Arizona, which dropped into a tie with the New York Mets for the last two NL wild-card spots. San Diego holds the top spot. The Diamondbacks will try to avert the series sweep when they play the Rockies in Wednesday's finale.
“We’re hitting a little bit of a rut right now,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “We’ll find our way out of it. We’ve got to do what we do best, be versatile, be focused and play our best game tomorrow. We can’t go backwards and dwell on what’s happened. We’ve got to go 1-0, day game after a night game in Colorado. That’s all I’m focused on right now.”
Feltner (3-10) allowed one run on five hits in 6 2/3 innings for his first win at Coors Field since Aug. 9, 2022, snapping a franchise-record string of 21 straight starts without a winning decision at home.
“I was on the same page with (catcher Jacob Stallings) all night,” Feltner said. “We had great defense, so just being able to trust Stallings back there and trust the defense as well just frees me up big time. All my pitches were working and I just tried to keep pounding the zone."
Jordan Montgomery (8-7), making his first start since Aug. 21, returned to Arizona's rotation from the bullpen to help fill in for injured starter Ryne Nelson, who was placed on the 15-day injured list over the weekend with right shoulder inflammation.
Montgomery went 4 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on six hits.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Diamondbacks: OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is ramping up conditioning and baseball activities at the team’s Arizona training facility as he works toward returning from a left calf injury that has sidelined him since Sept. 2. “Gurriel had four at bats. Came out of that good,” manager Torrey Lovullo said. “Those were live AB’s. And he did some real aggressive baserunning and some outfield work. Tomorrow, he’ll play in an official continuation game.”
Rockies: RHP Antonio Senzatela is doing well physically the day after making his first start Monday in 16 months following rehab from reconstructive right elbow surgery. Senzatela allowed two runs and four hits in three-plus innings. Manager Bud Black said Senzatela was scheduled to start again on Sunday at the Los Angeles Dodgers.
UP NEXT
LHP Eduardo Rodríguez (2-3, 5.50 ERA) is set to start Wednesday for the Diamondbacks against Rockies's LHP Austin Gomber (5-10, 4.44 ERA).
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Colorado Rockies' Brendan Rodgers follows the flight of his RBI single in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Angel Chivilli gestures after getting Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll to pop out to end a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Arizona Diamondbacks pitching coach Brent Strom, center, confers with relief pitcher Blake Walston as catcher Jose Herrera looks on after Walston gave up an RBI single to Colorado Rockies' Brendan Rodgers in the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies' Hunter Goodman gestures as he crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run off Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Blake Walston in the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll pops out against Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Angel Chivilli to end a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Angel Chivilli works against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Arizona Diamondbacks third base coach Tony Perezchica, left, congratulates Christian Walker as he circles the bases after hitting a solo home urn off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jaden Hill in the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar singles off Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery in the fifth inning of a baseball game ,Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies' Hunter Goodman follows the flight of his solo home run off Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Blake Walston in the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
