Steve McQueen’s Son, Who Resembled His Dad, Died — Why Did He Have Multiple Surgeries & Was in a 3½-Week Coma?

Steve McQueen’s son Chad McQueen, 63, passed yesterday, leaving his followers in sadness. Renowned for his remarkable likeness to his father, Chad went through many highs and lows, including various operations and a coma.

A gap has been created in the entertainment and racing industries following the announcement of Chad McQueen’s death on September 11, 2024, by his family the following day. Admirers frequently commented on how much he resembled his well-known father, Steve McQueen, in both appearance and demeanor, continuing Steve’s heritage and passion for fast automobiles and motorcycles.

But Chad’s path took a catastrophic turn, requiring multiple surgeries and a protracted hospital stay. He continued to pay tribute to his father in his own unique style and stayed close to his family in spite of these difficulties. But what precisely caused these health issues—and, eventually, his premature passing?

He ‘Looked like a Copy of His Dad’

Chad was raised in the shadow of his renowned father, Steve McQueen, who is well known for his roles in the movies “Bullitt” and “The Great Escape.” There was an incredible likeness between the two. On social media, fans frequently noted how much Chad resembled his well-known father.

“Like father, like son!” and “You look just like your dad here,” were frequent comments made by fans whenever Chad shared pictures on social media. Fans continue to express their grief over his passing with remarks like “He’s a copy of the legendary Steve McQueen” and “Looked like a copy of his dad.”

In addition to his physical attributes, Chad shared many traits with his father, such as his calm disposition and his passions. During a 1996 interview, Chad expressed his admiration for his father’s moral principles.

He remarked, “A lot of my values are like my dad’s,” and that as he grew older, he came to appreciate his father’s cautious outlook on life. These shared experiences extended beyond character attributes. Chad pursued a career in acting and racing, just like Steve did.

Racing Was in His Blood

Like his father, Chad had a childhood passion for racing that he carried into adulthood. He had previously won the World Mini Grand Prix by the age of twelve, which cemented his passion for speed and rivalry.

Being passionate about racing together wasn’t simply a pastime; it also strengthened the link between Chad and Steve as family. Chad would frequently reminisce about his early years spent with his father on the filming locations of his productions, most notably the 1971 racing movie “Le Mans.”

Chad had his first taste of professional racing during these years. He was the one who famously rode a Porsche 917 at up to 100 mph while perched on his father’s knee.

Chad’s life centered around racing, both on and off screen. He participated in a number of motorsport competitions, such as Motocross and the Baja 1000. Even when his acting career took off, Chad kept racing.

But this enthusiasm would also bring him to one of the hardest times of his life. When Chad was practicing for the 2006 Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway, he was involved in a serious accident that almost took his life.

His professional racing career would finally end as a result of the incident. Nonetheless, he remained active in the motorsports industry through his business, McQueen Racing, as well as other endeavors.

The Devastating Accident

Chad had no intention of slowing down when his racing career tragically ended. His life was permanently altered in an instant. Later on, Chad recalled that he might have erred or cut a tire.

He was unable to recall the details, but the effect was disastrous. The automobile crashed into the back wall after he lost control of it, crushing him beneath the wreckage. Chad had suffered serious injuries.

He had a collapsed lung in addition to many broken bones in his left leg, neck, and ribs. The worst part was that he was unconscious for three and a half weeks after the collision. Chad had nine surgeries to fix the damage throughout his recuperation, but the injury ended his career as a professional racer.

Despite the difficulties the collision presented, Chad continued to compete in motorsports. He even made a jest about going back to racing, claiming to have just obtained a historic racing license.

This made it possible for him to take part in events, even if his injuries prevented his right eye from focusing properly. Chad’s will to continue participating in the sport he loved, even after his body prevented him from competing professionally, demonstrated his tenacity.

A Missed Opportunity with Cobra Kai

Even though Chad’s racing career was cut short, he left a lasting legacy in Hollywood, especially with his role as Dutch in the “The Karate Kid” franchise. When the well-liked spinoff “Cobra Kai” premiered, fans of the cherished series were excited to see Chad return to his role.

Unfortunately, Chad turned down the chance to play the part that made him famous again, despite conversations from enthusiastic fans. Creator of “Cobra Kai,” Hayden Schlossberg, thought back on their attempt to reintroduce Chad to the show.

“Chad McQueen, rest in peace. Schlossberg posted on social media, “We had great conversations with him, but we were unable to get him in ‘Cobra Kai’.”

Even though Chad eventually left the cast, his portrayal of Dutch, the crazy character he played, remained memorable to fans and had a lasting impact on the “Karate Kid” universe.

Chad’s contributions to the original movie are memorable even if he did not reappear in the spotlight in “Cobra Kai,” and his refusal to do so only increased fans’ longing for the part he once played.

A Family Man and Loving Father

Chad loved racing and was well-known for his Hollywood appearances, but his family was his first priority. He was a loving father to their two children, Chase and Madison, as well as a dedicated husband to Jeanie Galbraith, whom he married in 1993.

In a moving message, Chad’s family celebrated the amazing man he was and expressed their sorrow at his departure. “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,” they said.

The way Chad instilled the McQueen legacy in his kids also demonstrated his dedication to his family. Like his father Chad, his son Chase is an avid racer, carrying on the family legacy started by Steve.

Steven R. McQueen, the second son of Chad’s former relationship, is a well-known figure in Hollywood. The role that made him famous was that of Jeremy Gilbert on “The Vampire Diaries.”

Chad maintained a tight relationship with his family in spite of his demanding work schedule and personal struggles. He made sure the following generation would carry on the McQueen name’s beliefs and passions.

Final Days and Cause of Death

Chad’s previous injuries had caused consequences that had been deteriorating his health for a number of years. According to his relatives, he passed away from progressive organ failure brought on by an injury he had a few years prior.

Chad passed away on September 12, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones, including his life partner, children, and lifelong lawyer Arthur Barens. Barens stated that organ failure was the cause of Chad’s death and that it happened gradually as a result of the prior injuries.

Even though Chad passed away tragically, those closest to him showed their love and support for him. His family’s heartfelt eulogy conveyed both their pride in the legacy he left behind and their profound sense of loss.

In a touching statement, they stated, “His passion for racing served as a way to honor his father’s legacy in addition to highlighting his exceptional talent.” Friends and admirers honored Chad’s life with a barrage of tributes from the entertainment and motorsports sectors.

“Fast N’ Loud” star Richard Rawlings paid tribute to him on social media, writing, “Chad kept that cool, fearless spirit alive.” The McQueen legacy is unique. Chad McQueen’s death signaled the end of an era,