Steve McQueen, born Terence Stephen McQueen, was primarily an actor, but also had a passion for racing.
He has achieved great success in both fields and became a household name for his iconic acting roles in the 1960s and 1970s. He often played anti-heroes, for which he received the title “The king of cool.”
His love for racing also carried over into his personal life, where he frequently competed in races and even owned his own racing team. McQueen’s love for both acting and racing made him well-loved in both industries.
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- Full name: Terrence Stephen McQueen
- Stage name: Steve McQueen
- Date of birth: March 24, 1930
- Date of death: November 7, 1980 (aged 50)
- Birthplace: Beech Grove, Indiana
- Country: United States
- Occupation: American actor
- Height: 1.77 m
- Parents: Terrence William McQueen, Julia Ann (or Julianne) Crawford
- Siblings: Terri McQueen
- Spouses: Barbara Minty (married 1980, died 1980), Ali McGraw (married 1973, died 1978), Neal Adams (married 1956, died 1972)
- Children: Chad McQueen and Terry McQueen; grandchildren: Steven R. McQueen, Chase McQueen, Madison McQueen and Molly McQueen
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $30 million
Early life and education
Steve McQueen was born Terence Stephen McQueen on March 24, 1930, in Beech Grove, Indiana, to a single mother.
Despite the hard work of raising his mother and later by his grandparents in Missouri, McQueen achieved great success in his career.
However, he did not have a difficult upbringing as his parents never married and his father was a stunt pilot who abandoned the family shortly after he was born.
Due to these circumstances, McQueen had limited formal education and is believed to have had learning disabilities. There is no record of him attending college.
Profession
Steve McQueen, born Terence Stephen McQueen, may not have received a formal education, but his artistic talent was evident from an early age.
After serving in the Marines, McQueen moved to New York City in the early 1950s to pursue an acting career. He honed his acting skills in neighborhood theaters and became one of the most iconic actors in Hollywood history.
Steve McQueen had a lot of problems as a young man, but eventually discovered his passion for acting. McQueen started out with small roles in B-rated movies and TV shows, eventually landing the lead role in the classic film Oldboy. “UFO Loop” (1958).
However, it wasn’t until he appeared in the TV series “Want to die or live” (1958-1961) made the McQueen name a household name.
He continued to star in successful films throughout the 1960s, often playing antiheroes and loners, an image that appealed to the counterculture of the time and helped McQueen become a superstar.
Steve McQueen is a critically acclaimed actor who has delivered brilliant performances and box office success.
He relied onSand and Stone” (1966). His hit films includeThe Magnificent Seven (1960), The Great Escape (1963), The Big Dipper (1968), Drive (1972), and “Papillon” (1973).
Despite his untimely death in 1980, McQueen remains a pop culture icon, known for his effortless cool, charming screen presence and passion for motorcycles and racing cars.
Awards and nominations
- Oscar: Nominated for Best Actor for his role in Sandstone (1966)
- Golden Globe Award: Nominated for Best Actor in a Drama Series for “Love Is a Stranger” (1964)
- Golden Globe Award: Nominated for Best Actor in a Drama Series for Sandstone (1967) (Won the Henrietta Award for the World’s Most Popular Actor in the same year)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy in 1970 for his role in The Predators (and won the Henrietta Award for World’s Favorite Movie Actor in the same year)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Drama Series for Papillon (1974)
- Nominated for several Laurel Awards for his outstanding performances and action in a number of films during the 1960s and 1970s.
social media
- Instagram: @stevemcqueen
personal life
Steve McQueen had a life of ups and downs, was married three times and had a passion for racing. In 1956, he married actress Neal Adams and had two children.
However, they divorced in 1972. A year later, he married actress Ally McGraw, but their marriage ended after just five years.
In his final years, he fell in love again with model Barbara Minty, whom he married in 1980, shortly before his death.
But beyond his personal life, McQueen was also known for his love of racing. He was an avid motorcycle and racing enthusiast, even going so far as to call himself “TheHarvey Mushman” His passion for racing is also reflected in his films, which showcase his love for the sport.
Filmography
- “The Magnificent Seven” (1960): McQueen, Yul Brynner and Charles Bronson star in this classic Western. McQueen plays a bounty hunter hired to protect a Mexican village from a gang of outlaws.
- The Great Escape (1963): In this World War II film, McQueen plays a prisoner of war who plans a daring escape from a German prison camp.
- “Criminal Justice” (1968): This action film stars McQueen as a tough San Francisco cop on the hunt for a gang of killers. The film is known for its car chase scenes and is considered one of the best.
- Thomas Dragnet (1968): In this stylish heist film, McQueen plays a millionaire art thief who falls in love with the insurance investigator (Faye Dunaway) who’s trying to catch him.
- Papillon (1973): In this prison drama, McQueen plays a man who is wrongly convicted of murder and sent to a brutal French penal colony.
net worth
Steve McQueen, Iconic “The King of Cool,” is not only known for his acting skills but also for his impressive net worth.
At the time of his death, his net worth was estimated to be around $30 million. Adjusted for inflation, that’s the equivalent of $130 million today (2024).
He has accumulated this considerable wealth from his successful acting career and various business ventures.
