Chad McQueen, son of legendary actor Steve McQueen who played “Dutch” in the film series “The Karate Kid,” died Wednesday in Palm Springs. He was 63.

His wife Jeanie and children Chase and Madison said in a statement to Variety: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father, Chad McQueen. His remarkable journey as a loving father to us, along with his unwavering devotion to our mother, was truly an example of a life filled with love and dedication,” the statement said. “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.”

It continues: “He passed on his passion, knowledge and dedication to us, and we will continue not only his legacy, but that of our grandfather as well. As a family, we must navigate this difficult time, and we kindly ask for privacy as we remember and celebrate his extraordinary life.”

McQueen is best known for his role as “Dutch” in “The Karate Kid” (1984) and its sequel, “The Karate Kid Part II” (1986). His portrayal of one of the Cobra Kai members was iconic in 1980s pop culture. His character in particular displayed a ruthless attitude, encouraging Johnny Lawrence (played by William “Billy” Zabka) to brutally beat Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) on the night of the Halloween party.

His character also mocks and threatens the New Jersey native before the All-Valley Tournament. During the second season of the TV series “Cobra Kai,” it is revealed that Dutch is serving a prison sentence. Although there was talk of McQueen appearing on the show, it was reportedly prevented due to scheduling issues.

Although he would continue to appear in other films, such as “New York Cop” (1993) and “Red Line” (1995), his film career was not as extensive as his father’s. Following in his father’s footsteps, McQueen did, however, have a successful career in motorsports, his true passion. He competed professionally in events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring and founded McQueen Racing, a company that develops high-performance cars and motorcycles, continuing the family tradition of passion for automobiles.

In 2006, McQueen suffered a near-fatal crash while practicing for the Rolex 24 event at Daytona International Speedway. Although he ultimately survived, the crash effectively ended his professional racing career, but he remains involved in motorsports through his company and other ventures.

McQueen was born on December 28, 1960 in Los Angeles. He grew up in Malibu.

He is survived by his wife Jeanie and his children Chase, Madison and Steven, a professional actor best known for his role in “The Vampire Diaries”.