William Zabka, known for his role in The Karate Kid, recently paid tribute to his late co-star Chad McQueen, who passed away on September 11 at the age of 63. McQueen, an actor and race car driver, was remembered fondly by Zabka in a heartfelt Instagram post.
Key Takeaways
- Chad McQueen passed away on September 11 at the age of 63.
- William Zabka shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.
- McQueen was known for his role as Dutch in The Karate Kid series.
- McQueen was also a professional race car driver.
A Heartfelt Tribute
William Zabka took to Instagram to share his memories of Chad McQueen, posting pictures from their time together on the set of The Karate Kid. McQueen played Dutch, a member of the Cobra Kai, in the original 1984 film and its 1986 sequel, The Karate Kid Part II.
In his post, Zabka included behind-the-scenes photos and group shots featuring McQueen with other cast members. One notable photo showed McQueen, Zabka, Rob Garrison, Ron Thomas, Tony O’Dell, and the late Pat Morita (Mr. Miyagi) enjoying ice cream together.
Fond Memories
Zabka’s caption read, "Sadly, we lost the legendary Chad McQueen yesterday. I have so many great memories of him when we were filming The Karate Kid. He was truly one of a kind. He marched to the beat of his own drum and always made me laugh. We would caravan to set every day — him in his silver Porsche, music blasting, and me in my Honda Accord. He was the baddest of the OG Cobras in the most fun and entertaining way."
He continued, "I’m so thankful I had the chance to reconnect with him over the past few years. It was like no time had gone by at all. My love and deepest sympathies to his wife and family. RIP Chadwick — my dear friend & Cobra Kai brother 4 ever."
A Legacy Remembered
Chad McQueen was the son of Hollywood legend Steve McQueen. Following in his father’s footsteps, Chad became both an actor and a professional race car driver. He appeared in films like Death Ring, Firepower, and Red Line before focusing on car racing in the 1990s. His last movie appearance was in 2001’s Fall: The Price of Silence.
Zabka and McQueen’s Karate Kid co-star Ron Thomas also commented on Zabka’s post, saying, "The brotherhood we share. The memories. The stories — like the one with a certain sock. R.I.P. brother Chad."
Chad McQueen’s passing marks the end of an era for fans of The Karate Kid series, but his legacy in both film and racing will continue to be remembered.