Historical Figure
Steve McQueen
d. 1980
American actor (1930–1980)
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Biography
Terrence Stephen McQueen was an American actor. His antihero persona, emphasized during the height of 1960s counterculture, made him a top box office draw for his films of the late 1950s to the mid-1970s. He was nicknamed the "King of Cool" and used the alias "Harvey Mushman" when participating in motor races.
Timeline
The story of Steve McQueen, told in moments.
Born Terrence Stephen McQueen in Beech Grove, Indiana. His father left before he was born. Raised partly by his great-uncle on a farm in Slater, Missouri. Ran with gangs in LA as a teenager. Joined the Marines at 17.
The Great Escape premiered. His motorcycle jump over a barbed-wire fence became one of cinema's most famous stunts, though his stunt double Bud Ekins actually did the jump. McQueen did the riding in every other scene.
Bullitt opened in theaters. The ten-minute car chase through San Francisco set the standard for every movie car chase that followed. McQueen did much of his own driving in the Ford Mustang GT 390.
Became the world's highest-paid actor. Turned down roles in Apocalypse Now and Superman. Raced motorcycles and cars obsessively in his spare time. Owned over 200 motorcycles.
Died of mesothelioma in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, where he'd gone for experimental cancer treatment. He was 50. The cancer was likely caused by asbestos exposure during his time in the Marines and on film sets.
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