Steve McQueen

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SteveMc Last Updated: 1/21/24
Real Name: Terrence Stephen McQueen
Born: March 24, 1930
Died: November 7, 1980 (aged 50)
Height: 5' 9"

Grade: A
Actor/Movie Star: 20%-80%
Prime Years: 1962-63, 1966, 1968, and 1971-74
Most Famous Films: The Great Escape (1963) and On Any Sunday (1971)
Most Infamous Film: Le Mans (1971)
Most Famous TV Show: Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958-61)
Masterpiece: Junior Bonner (1972) and Papillon (1973)
Outstanding: The Great Escape (1963) and Bullitt (1968)
Honorable: Hell Is for Heroes (1962)

Opinion: Unique and the King of Cool, Steve McQueen had a quiet commanding presence with great acting instincts. What a lot of people don't realize about him is he was a true Method actor. The less Steve McQueen talked, the better his character was. The way he used his eyes and face to convey character is something that most people miss. He saw the immense value in automobiles and motorcycles and was the first ever to bring them to the forefront in movies, most especially in The Great Escape, Bullitt, and On Any Sunday. Since then, actors like Paul Newman and James Garner copied what he did. Although earning his lone Academy Award nomination for The Sand Pebbles (I actually don't think much of his performance because it's too ordinary), Steve McQueen was unfairly robbed of the Oscar win for Papillon. He also didn't get enough credit for his underrated performance in Junior Bonner.

Confirmed: Born Scottish. Was dyslexic and partially deaf, had a rough upbringing, and was beaten regularly. A juvenile delinquent who was sent to a boys' school to change his behavior which worked and therefore began his lifelong habit of returning there for repayment. Hated authority with passion, hence his anti-hero persona. Served in the Merchant Marine (failed to stay with it long enough) and the U.S. Marine Corps (was honorably discharged despite getting into trouble from time to time).

Taking advantage of the G.I. Bill, studied acting in New York City and did plenty of theater and television work. In his free time, raced cars and motorcycles and won prize monies which became his lifelong habit. Collected hundreds of motorcycles, automobiles, and aircrafts in his lifetime with many of them that are eventually worth millions of dollars and was an expert mechanic. Despite starring in The Blob, achieved a breakthrough in the Western television show Wanted: Dead or Alive. It's not until Steve McQueen became an overnight international star when he was shown attempting to jump over the barbed wire fence in The Great Escape, an idea of his that wasn't originally in the script. Hence, he's the first TV actor to make a successful transition to the silver screen.

Got a major Hollywood break with the help of Frank Sinatra by having a bigger role than envisioned in Never So Few. Tried to outdo Yul Brynner in The Magnificent Seven but never could. Often did his own stunts. Made famous by the car chase through San Francisco in Bullitt, hence the popularity of Ford Mustang GT 390. Had a reputation of turning down many legendary films such as The Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The French Connection, and Apocalypse Now.

A major pot/cokehead who beat and cheated on his wife openly and regularly, carried on a very publicized affair with Ali MacGraw during the making of The Getaway which infuriated husband/producer Robert Evans. After marrying Ali MacGraw, refused her to work again in Hollywood. Had a huge ego and was very concerned about others having more lines, better scenes, bigger stunts, more money, and/or higher billing which was made evident by his pairing with Paul Newman in The Towering Inferno. Was difficult to work with on the set, leading to frequent clashes with directors. The biggest disaster of his career was Le Mans while James Garner went on to have success with Grand Prix which came out first, souring their relationship for some time.

Decided to skip the night out at Roman Polanski's place due to a hot date; the next day, five people were murdered by the Manson Family including Sharon Tate and Jay Sebring who initially gave Steve McQueen his famous hairstyle. It was later revealed that he had been put on Charles Manson's hit list which led to his paranoia. Sired Chad McQueen who became an actor for a while, most notably in The Karate Kid. Threatened to kill his first wife with a gun for the identity of her infidelity which turned out to be Maximilian Schell.

Had karate lessons from Bruce Lee for years. Often worked out for two hours and ran five miles a day to keep in shape despite being a heavy smoker and drinker. Was arrested in Anchorage, Alaska, for DUI in 1972, hence the famous mug shot. Succumbed to pleural mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, possibly from his Marine days. Went to Mexico in desperate search for unconventional treatments but died of a heart attack during his tumor removal surgery.

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