Terence Steven "Steve" McQueen was an American actor. Called "The King of Cool", his "anti-hero" persona, developed at the height of the Vietnam War-era counterculture, made him a top box-office draw of the 1960s and 1970s. McQueen received an Academy Award nomination for his role in The Sand Pebbles. His other popular films include The Thomas Crown Affair, Bullitt, The Getaway, and Papillon, as well as the all-star ensemble films The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, and The Towering Inferno. In 1974, he became the highest-paid movie star in the world, although he did not act in films again for four years. McQueen was combative with directors and producers, but his popularity placed him in high demand and enabled him to command large salaries.
He was voted the 31st Greatest Movie Star of all time by Premiere Magazine.
He did not like gratuitous violence, swearing, or nudity in movies.
Steve was brought up by his grandparents. A troublesome teenager, he spent 5 years in a Californian reformatory. He ran away from home and worked on ships as an oil field labourer and fairground barker.
In 1947, McQueen joined the United States Marine Corps and was promoted to private first class and assigned to an armored unit. Although McQueen had problems with authority in the strict Marine Corps and served a tough 41 days in the brig for a 21 day AWOL incident, he was discharged honorably in 1950. Steve McQueen saved the lives of five other Marines during an Arctic exercise, pulling them from a tank before it broke through ice into the sea. Eventually, he was assigned to the honor guard and was tasked with protecting the USS Williamsburg, the presidential yacht for President Harry S. Truman. He also worked as a tank driver and mechanic.[1]
Steve was married three times, first to Neile Adams (1956-1972), second to Ali MacGraw (1973-1978), and third to Barbara Minty (1980-1980).
McQueen received various nominations and awards during his acting career, including two Golden Globes and a Jules Verne Award. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1986. Throughout his life, he cared for those who were in need. He tried to help everyone he encountered and made various donations to Boys Republic in gratitude for its impact on his life.[2]
Steve died November 7, 1980 in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico.
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Categories: Actors | Featured Actors | Featured Connections Archive 2023 | United States of America, Notables | Notables