Early in 2026 the Paris classic car show Rétromobile celebrated Steve McQueen with an exhibition of his machines, and 7 November marks 46 years since his death. The King of Cool still sets the standard for screen swagger, from motorbike jumps to Mustang chases.
McQueen was one of the biggest box-office stars of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and a genuine racer off screen. Here is his story. See more legends in our movies collection.
Steve McQueen Fact File
| Birth name | Terrence Stephen McQueen |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 March 1930 |
| Place of birth | Beech Grove, Indiana, USA |
| Died | 7 November 1980, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, aged 50 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actor, motorcycle and car racer |
| Years active | 1952-1980 |
| Nickname | The King of Cool |
| Racing alias | Harvey Mushman |
| Signature item | The Bullitt Ford Mustang GT 390 |
Key Films
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1958 | The Blob | Steve Andrews |
| 1960 | The Magnificent Seven | Vin Tanner |
| 1963 | The Great Escape | Capt. Virgil Hilts |
| 1966 | The Sand Pebbles | Jake Holman |
| 1968 | The Thomas Crown Affair | Thomas Crown |
| 1968 | Bullitt | Lt Frank Bullitt |
| 1971 | Le Mans | Michael Delaney |
| 1973 | Papillon | Henri Charrière |
| 1980 | The Hunter | Ralph "Papa" Thorson |
A selection of key films. His first screen appearance was an uncredited part in Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956).
Early Years
McQueen had a tough start in life and was sent to the California Junior Boys Republic in Chino Hills, a school he later credited with turning his life around. He served in the US Marine Corps from 1947 to 1950 before studying acting in New York.
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Breakthrough
Television made his name as bounty hunter Josh Randall in the CBS western Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958-1961). His first starring film was The Blob (1958), and The Magnificent Seven (1960) followed. As Hilts, the Cooler King, in The Great Escape (1963), he created one of cinema's most famous motorbike moments.
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Peak Years and Final Films
The Sand Pebbles (1966) earned his only Oscar nomination. In 1968 came The Thomas Crown Affair and Bullitt, whose San Francisco car chase is still a benchmark. Le Mans (1971) was his passion project and later became a cult favourite, followed by The Getaway, Papillon and The Towering Inferno. His final film was The Hunter (1980).
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Awards
Academy Awards
- Best Actor nomination: The Sand Pebbles
Golden Globes
- Henrietta Award (World Film Favourite) in 1967 and 1970
Other Honours
- Best Actor, Moscow International Film Festival (1963) for The Great Escape
- Hollywood Walk of Fame star (1986)
- AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame (1999)
Away From the Spotlight
McQueen was a serious racer. In 1964 he rode for the first official US team at the International Six Days Trial, and in March 1970 he finished second overall at the Sebring 12 Hours with Peter Revson in a Porsche 908, despite a badly broken left foot. In 2020 the original Bullitt Mustang sold at auction for $3.74 million.
FAQs
Where was Steve McQueen born?
He was born on 24 March 1930 in Beech Grove, Indiana, near Indianapolis.
How old was Steve McQueen when he died?
He was 50 when he died on 7 November 1980 in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
Did Steve McQueen win an Oscar?
No. He received one nomination, for Best Actor in The Sand Pebbles.
What was Steve McQueen's first film?
An uncredited part in Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956). His first lead role was The Blob (1958).
Why was Steve McQueen called the King of Cool?
The nickname reflected his laid-back, understated screen style in films such as Bullitt and The Thomas Crown Affair.
Did Steve McQueen do his own driving in Bullitt?
He did a lot of his own stunt driving in the famous car chase.
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Clint Eastwood Career Story and Humphrey Bogart Career Story.
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