Steve McQueen was one of the most iconic and charismatic actors of the 20th century. He starred in classic films such as The Great Escape, Bullitt, The Thomas Crown Affair, and Papillon. He was also a passionate racer and a style icon. He was nicknamed “The King of Cool” for his effortless charm and rebellious attitude.
But what about his son, Chad McQueen? Is he related to Steve McQueen by blood or by adoption? How did he follow his father’s footsteps in acting and racing? And what was their relationship like?
In this article, we will answer these questions and reveal the truth about the father-son duo.
Contents
Chad McQueen: The Only Son of Steve McQueen
Chad McQueen is the only son of Steve McQueen and his first wife, Neile Adams. He was born on December 28, 1960, in Los Angeles, California. He has a sister, Terry McQueen, who died tragically at the age of 38 from respiratory failure.
Chad inherited his father’s love for cars and motorcycles from an early age. He started racing dirt bikes when he was nine years old and won his class in the World Mini Grand Prix. He also raced on the set of Le Mans, a film starring his father, when he was 10 years old.
Chad also showed interest in acting and appeared in several films and TV shows. His most notable roles were as Dutch in The Karate Kid and The Karate Kid Part II. He also produced a documentary called Filming at Speed, which won a Telly Award.
Chad married twice and has three children. His first wife was Stacia Toten, with whom he had a son, Steven R. McQueen, who is also an actor. His second wife is Jeanie Galbraith, with whom he has two children, Chase and Madison.
Steve and Chad McQueen: A Complicated Relationship
Steve and Chad McQueen had a complicated relationship that was marked by ups and downs. They shared a bond over their passion for racing, but they also had conflicts over their careers and personal lives.
According to Neile Adams, Steve’s first wife and Chad’s mother, Steve was a serial womanizer who cheated on her with many co-stars. He also abused drugs and alcohol and was violent towards her. She divorced him in 1972 after 16 years of marriage.
Steve remarried twice, first to actress Ali MacGraw and then to model Barbara Minty. He had a strained relationship with his children, especially with Terry, who suffered from diabetes and addiction. He tried to reconnect with them before his death, but it was too late for Terry, who died shortly after him.
Chad had a better relationship with his father than his sister, but he also faced some challenges. He struggled to establish his own identity as an actor and a racer, living under the shadow of his famous father. He also had disagreements with him over some career choices and personal matters.
However, Chad and Steve eventually reconciled before Steve’s death in 1980 from lung cancer. They spent some quality time together and expressed their love for each other. Chad was devastated by his father’s death and honored his legacy by continuing his racing career.
Conclusion
Chad McQueen is related to Steve McQueen by blood as his only son. He followed his father’s footsteps in acting and racing, but he also had his own achievements and challenges. He had a complicated relationship with his father that was full of love and conflict. They reconciled before Steve’s death and remained close until the end.
