Steven McQueen, also known as the "The King of Cool", was one of the most well known and beloved actors of his time as he starred in over 25 movies during his almost 30 year long career. He was a man of many talents as he was able to act in several different genres from sci-fi to westerns to suspense.
Sadly the great actor passed away at the young age of 50 in 1980. Even though it's been 40 years since his untimely death, his movies are still being played today and he is still considered an iconic movie star. Let's take a look at his 10 most iconic roles:
Henri Charrriere in Papillon
Based on the 1969 autobiography by Henri Charriere, Papillon was a huge box office success earning over $3 million in its first week. Steve McQueen starred as Henri "Papillon" Charriere, the wrongly convicted man who wants to escape his imprisonment. Costarring alongside McQueen was Dustin Hoffman as Louis Dega, fellow convict who helps Henri escape.
McQueen was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance and the film itself earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Music. Over 40 years after Papillon was released, a remade with Charlie Hunnam as Henri and Rami Malek as Louis Dega hit theaters in 2017.
Jake Holman in The Sand Pebbles
The 1966 film The Sand Pebbles starring Steve McQueen as Jake Holman, the rebellious US Navy machinist, wowed fans as it earned critical and commercial success. The Sand Pebbles was nominated for several Academy Awards and Golden Globes, including McQueen's nominations for Best Actor.
The Sand Pebbles tells the story of a river gunboat in 1920's China with independent Navy machinist Jake aboard. The crew is ordered to protect Americans including teacher Shirley Eckhart, played by Candice Bergen. Jake and the crew become involved in a grim feud which keeps viewers on the edge of their seats and rooting for the river boat crew.
Michael Delaney in Le Mans
The 1971 film Le Mans is a staple in most racing fans's movie collection. The drama depicts the story of Porsche race car driver Michael Delaney as he overcomes his painful memories and feelings for a widow to beat his Ferrari rival in the 24 hour endurance race in Le Mans, France.
Racing was a true passion for Steve McQueen and Le Mans was supposed to allow McQueen to take control of his career. In 2015 a documentary, Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans, was released showing the terror and turmoil during the production of Le Mans.
Michael O'Hallorhan in The Towering Inferno
Disaster film The Towering Inferno was a gigantic success in 1974 as it was the second highest grossing film of the year and won several Oscars and Golden Globes. With Steve McQueen and Paul Newman in the same film, it was bound to be a hit.
The Towering Inferno is the suspenseful and tragic story of a newly constructed skyscraper catching on fire due to contractors taking shortcuts. Steve McQueen stars as Fire Chief Michael O'Hallorhan and Paul Newman costars as architect Doug Roberts. The two are forced to team up in order to save as many lives as they can.
Thomas Crown in The Thomas Crown Affair
Steve McQueen stars alongside Faye Dunaway as millionaire Thomas Crown in the thrilling and romantic 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair. The crime movie was written by McQueen's trusted screenwriter, Alan Trustman who also wrote Bullitt.
Thomas Crown is a bored millionaire who decides to add a little excitement into his life by robbing a bank which he successfully pulls off. But things go awry when beautiful insurance investigator Vicki Anderson, played by Dunaway, takes an interest in the crime. Not only does McQueen do a terrific job acting in this film, but he also does his own stunts including racing a dune buggy at top speed on the Massachusetts's coastline.
Steve Andrews in The Blob
With a name like The Blob, who wouldn't want to see this film? The Blob was a 1958 sci-fi film about, you guessed it, a killer blob or in more technical terms a gelatinous alien. Steve McQueen starred as small town teenager Steve Andrews and his best girl in the film was Jane Martin played by Aneta Corseaut.
The young lovebirds are the first to discover the jello-like alien, and they do their best to warn others. Unfortunately no one believes the kids, including the town's policeman. The Blob might not have won any prestigious awards, but it is an iconic classic for sci-fi fans.
Doc McCoy in The Getaway
For fans of romantic crime dramas, the 1972 film The Getaway starring Steve McQueen as convict Doc McCoy and Ali MacGraw as his wife Carol, is a must watch. Doc and Carol strike up a deal with a shady Texan, Jack Benyon played by Ben Johnson, in order to get Doc out of jail. A get out of jail free card in exchange for helping with a bank robbery.
But things go south for the couple as they are soon on the run from the law and from other criminals. Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw were husband and wife in real life as well. The couple was married from 1973 to 1978 and she is believed to be the true love of his life.
Vin Tanner in The Magnificent Seven
Every western fan has seen the 1960's film The Magnificent Seven starring Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter, James Coburn, and Horst Buchholz. These seven are professional gunslingers hired to protect a Mexican Village from an evil outlaw leader.
Even though the film did not receive critical acclaim it did earn three sequels, a sci-fi rendition, and a remake in 2016 starring big names such as Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt. These sequels and versions might be great movies, but no one can hold a candle to Steve McQueen and the 1960's gunslingers.
Frank Bullitt in Bullitt
There have been many thrilling car chases in the history of Hollywood, but none quite as legendary as the chase in the 1968 action film Bullitt. Steve McQueen starred as police lieutenant Frank Bullitt who is in charge of mob boss Pete Ross's brother Johnny.
Things get dicey when mob hitmen become involved which leads to the famous car chase that ran all over San Francisco. At the time of filming, McQueen was a world-class race car driver and drove in all of the close up scenes. McQueen also picked out the iconic mustang himself.
The Great Escape
Steve McQueen is an iconic actor who is still respected and known as "The King of Cool." While many of McQueen's movies gained him his "cool guy" reputation, none of them were as influential as 1963 film The Great Escape.
Steve McQueen starred as Captain Virgil Hilts who along with the help of British Squadron Leader Robert Bartlett played by Richard Attenborough, gets his men out of the German prisoner of war camp. But their escape is just the beginning in this wild ride. The Great Escape made Steve McQueen the legend he is to this day.