William Zabka is paying tribute to his Karate Kid castmate, Chad McQueen.
McQueen’s family announced his death on Thursday, Sept. 12, confirming that the actor and race automotive driver died Wednesday, Sept. 11, in Palm Springs. He was 63.
Zabka, 58, posted his tribute to the late actor on Friday, Sept. 13. He included pictures of McQueen as Dutch in 1984’s The Karate Child and 1986’s The Karate Child Half II. Zabka additionally included pictures of the forged behind the scenes.
In a single candy picture, castmembers McQueen, Zabka, Rob Garrison, Ron Thomas and Tony O’Dell posed of their costumes. One other picture reveals the 5 actors with Pat Morita (who performed Mr. Miyagi) having fun with ice cream with each other.
“Sadly, we misplaced the legendary Chad McQueen yesterday. I’ve so many nice recollections of him after we have been filming the ‘Karate Child,’” Zabka started. “He was actually considered one of [a] type. He marched to the beat of his personal drum and at all times made me snigger.”
Zabka mentioned McQueen would arrive to the Karate Child set “in his silver Porsche, music blasting,” and Zabka would roll “in [his] badass Honda Accord.”
“He was the baddest of the OG Cobras in essentially the most enjoyable and entertaining approach,” he wrote.
“I’m so grateful I had the possibility to reconnect with him over the previous few years,” he famous.
“It was like no time had passed by in any respect. My love and deepest sympathies to his spouse and household. RIP Chadwick — my expensive buddy & Cobra Kai brother 4 ever 👊🏼 💔.”
Zabka and McQueen’s costar Ron Thomas commented on Zabka’s publish: “❤️. The brotherhood we share. The recollections. The tales— just like the one with a sure sock 😆. R.I.P. brother Chad. 🙏.”
Thomas additionally penned a tribute to McQueen.
“I am extremely saddened to listen to about Chad’s passing. He embodied the spirit of Dutch. He was a real ‘Wild Little one,’ however with a coronary heart of gold and a lot enjoyable to be round,” Thomas wrote in his Sept. 12 Instagram publish. “We might at all times depend on Chad to liven it up on these lengthy shoot days if issues acquired too boring. So many fond recollections. So many tales. My deepest condolences to his total household. 🙏.”
He continued, “I’ve little question you might be hanging exhausting in that Divine Dojo and racing quick by way of the streets of heaven. Watch out to not get pulled over by the police, or you realize what occurs; you may be late to the set! R.I.P. My Cobra brother! 👊❤️.”
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The late actor was the son of Hollywood icon Steve McQueen. He adopted in his father’s footsteps and labored as each an actor and a race automotive driver. He starred in Dying Ring, Firepower, and Purple Line earlier than leaving the film trade to pursue sports activities automotive racing beginning within the Nineties. He made one remaining look in 2001’s Fall: The Value of Silence.