William Zabka Pays Tribute to “Karate Kid ”Castmate Chad McQueen: 'He Was the Baddest of the OG Cobras'

"He was truly one of [a] kind," Zabka wrote of his late costar

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 car 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 photos of McQueen as Dutch in 1984’s The Karate Kid and 1986’s The Karate Kid Part II. Zabka also included photos of the cast behind the scenes.

In one sweet image, castmembers McQueen, Zabka, Rob Garrison, Ron Thomas and Tony O'Dell posed in their costumes. Another photo shows the five actors with Pat Morita (who played Mr. Miyagi) enjoying ice cream with one another.

“Sadly, we lost the legendary Chad McQueen yesterday. I have so many great memories of him when we were filming the ‘Karate Kid,’” Zabka began. “He was truly one of [a] kind. He marched to the beat of his own drum and always made me laugh.”

Zabka said McQueen would arrive to the Karate Kid 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 the most fun and entertaining way,” he wrote.

“I’m so thankful I had the chance to reconnect with him over the past few years,” he noted.

"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 👊🏼 💔.”

Zabka and McQueen’s costar Ron Thomas commented on Zabka’s post: “❤️. The brotherhood we share. The memories. The stories— like the one with a certain sock 😆. R.I.P. brother Chad. 🙏.”

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Thomas also penned a tribute to McQueen.

“I'm incredibly saddened to hear about Chad's passing. He embodied the spirit of Dutch. He was a true ‘Wild Child,’ but with a heart of gold and so much fun to be around,” Thomas wrote in his Sept. 12 Instagram post. “We could always count on Chad to liven it up on those long shoot days if things got too boring. So many fond memories. So many stories. My deepest condolences to his entire family. 🙏.”

He continued, “I have no doubt you are striking hard in that Divine Dojo and racing fast through the streets of heaven. Be careful not to get pulled over by the police, or you know what happens; you'll 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 followed in his father's footsteps and worked as both an actor and a race car driver. He starred in Death Ring, Firepower, and Red Line before leaving the movie industry to pursue sports car racing starting in the 1990s. He made one final appearance in 2001's Fall: The Price of Silence.

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