Steve McQueen: 20 Never-Seen Photos

Gerald · 09-22-10, 03:22 PM

Three Weeks in Steve McQueen's World.In the spring of 1963, Steve McQueen was on the brink of superstardom, already popular from his big-screen breakout as one of The Magnificent Seven and just a couple months away from entering the Badass Hall of Fame with the release of The Great Escape. Intrigued by his dramatic backstory and his off-screen exploits — McQueen was a reformed delinquent who got his thrills racing cars and motorcycles — LIFE sent photographer John Dominis to California to hang out with the 33-year-old actor and see what he could get. Three weeks and more than 40 rolls of film later, Dominis had captured some astonishingly intimate and iconic images, photos impossible to imagine in today's restricted-access celebrity world. Only a handful of those photos have ever been published… but now, in celebration of what would have been McQueen's 80th birthday (March 24), LIFE.com presents these never-before-seen gems from that legendary assignment, along with insights from Dominis about the time he spent with the man who would become known as the King of Cool. Pictured: At his home in Palm Springs, McQueen practices his aim before heading out for a shooting session in the desert.

http://www.life.com/image/ugc1034972...er-seen-photos

TLAM Strike · 09-22-10, 10:29 PM

Great man and a great actor.

The Sand Pebbles and The Great Escape are two of my favorites.

Gerald · 09-22-10, 10:40 PM

Thank you! Yes he was very good

geetrue · 09-23-10, 08:12 PM

Steve McQueen ... I love that actor

How can anyone ever forget "Sand Pebbles" or the "The Great Escape" or that Mustang racing scene in San Francisco.

Steve went broke back in the 70's I think and made the movie "Grand Prix"

Honda offered him 1 million for a commercial and he took the job when he was flat broke.

Then he got sick and sought healing from a doctor's clinic in Mexico (just south of San Diego),
but he died after a long drawn out battle with his cancer.

Steve died all alone no family, no friends ...

Billy Graham's son gave him a bible and when Steve died they put him in a coffin and shipped him across the border in a 1957 Ford station wagon with his bible still in his hands.

They buried him somewhere here in Southern California and put all of his personal items left behind in a roped off hanger in Palmdale, California to be acutioned off.

His saddle and motorcycle from the movie and his clothes all in the pile proves you can't take it with you.

At the moment of death that's who you are forever.

09-22-10, 03:22 PM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Steve McQueen: 20 Never-Seen Photos Three Weeks in Steve McQueen's World.In the spring of 1963, Steve McQueen was on the brink of superstardom, already popular from his big-screen breakout as one of The Magnificent Seven and just a couple months away from entering the Badass Hall of Fame with the release of The Great Escape. Intrigued by his dramatic backstory and his off-screen exploits — McQueen was a reformed delinquent who got his thrills racing cars and motorcycles — LIFE sent photographer John Dominis to California to hang out with the 33-year-old actor and see what he could get. Three weeks and more than 40 rolls of film later, Dominis had captured some astonishingly intimate and iconic images, photos impossible to imagine in today's restricted-access celebrity world. Only a handful of those photos have ever been published… but now, in celebration of what would have been McQueen's 80th birthday (March 24), LIFE.com presents these never-before-seen gems from that legendary assignment, along with insights from Dominis about the time he spent with the man who would become known as the King of Cool. Pictured: At his home in Palm Springs, McQueen practices his aim before heading out for a shooting session in the desert. http://www.life.com/image/ugc1034972...er-seen-photos __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

09-22-10, 10:29 PM	#2
TLAM Strike Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 8,633 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 6	Great man and a great actor. The Sand Pebbles and The Great Escape are two of my favorites. __________________

09-22-10, 10:40 PM	#3
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Thank you! Yes he was very good __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

09-23-10, 08:12 PM	#4
geetrue Cold War Boomer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Walla Walla Posts: 2,837 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Steve McQueen ... I love that actor How can anyone ever forget "Sand Pebbles" or the "The Great Escape" or that Mustang racing scene in San Francisco. Steve went broke back in the 70's I think and made the movie "Grand Prix" Honda offered him 1 million for a commercial and he took the job when he was flat broke. Then he got sick and sought healing from a doctor's clinic in Mexico (just south of San Diego), but he died after a long drawn out battle with his cancer. Steve died all alone no family, no friends ... Billy Graham's son gave him a bible and when Steve died they put him in a coffin and shipped him across the border in a 1957 Ford station wagon with his bible still in his hands. They buried him somewhere here in Southern California and put all of his personal items left behind in a roped off hanger in Palmdale, California to be acutioned off. His saddle and motorcycle from the movie and his clothes all in the pile proves you can't take it with you. At the moment of death that's who you are forever. __________________