Steve McQueen

Steve McQueen was an iconic American actor who dominated the big screen during the 1960s and 1970s. Known by many as the "King of Cool," McQueen generated huge box-office draws and riveted the public's imagination. He was born in relatively anonymous circumstances. His father abandoned the family a year after he was born, and his mother sent him off to reformatory school when he was in his early teenage years.

In 1947, McQueen enrolled in the Marines. Five years later, thanks to federal assistance, he was able to study acting at Lee Strasberg's Actors' Studio. He then went on to star in a Broadway role in A Hatful of Rain in 1955. After accepting some small parts in 1950s movies, such as Girl on the Run, McQueen secured the lead role in the 1958 film, The Blob.

In 1960, McQueen became a household name thanks to his remarkable performance in the movie The Magnificent Seven. Three years later, he performed in his most talked-about hit, The Great Escape, a film revered to this day for its tight, intricate storyline. Off the set, McQueen was a Motocross enthusiast. He owned and raced motorcycles and even produced a documentary on motor racing in the early 1970s.

McQueen was notorious for his difficult personality. He held a longstanding rivalry with fellow "cool" actor, Paul Newman, and he bullied producers and directors on set and off set. He also charged more money than actors usually received. In 1980, McQueen died of a heart attack brought on by exposure to chemicals, possibly asbestos. His legend lives on, however, and he still epitomizes '60s cool.