Few know the real story behind the Steve McQueen formula for a happy and satisfying life.
McQueen had everything the American dream sells . . .
- Cool
- Fame
- Sex
- Money
But, behind the persona of cool macho and sexual trysts lay a wandering soul looking for peace, life and satisfaction.
The blond blue-eyed actor rose to Hollywood fame from ashes.
He never knew his alcoholic father, and his alcoholic mother abandoned him.
And yet he became the biggest movie star in the 60’s and 70’s.
In today’s terms, he was George Clooney and Brad Pitt rolled into one.
My wife, Judy, and I watched Bullitt (1968) recently, and the car chase is the best ever.
The speed reminded me of McQueen and the American dream.
Somebody once remarked, “Every man wants to be like him, and every woman wants to be with him.”
Steve McQueen on empty
At the peak of his success, McQueen quipped, “I believe in me. God will be number one as long as I’m number one.”
The actor had taken advantage of everyone in Hollywood.
He paid dearly during the filming of Le Mans.
Steve lost his . . .
- wife
- agent
- production company
- and most of his fortune
“When you make choices, the choices make you.” Greg Laurie, Steve McQueen: The Salvation of an American Icon
Three unlikely encounters turned McQueen’s life around.
Unlikely Encounter #1
Steve ignited his comeback with The Getaway in 1972.
A steamy romance with Ali McGraw led to his second marriage.
And then Papillon (1973) led to the first crack in Steve’s armor against faith.
The most sought-after stuntman in Hollywood, Stan Barrett, was Steve’s double.
Stan told Steve that racing legend J.N. Roberts had openly declared his Christian faith.
“I tried to explain the transformation in Robert’s life and I said to Steve, ‘This is a new, remarkable and dramatic experience in J.N.’s life, and he’s pretty excited about it.” Stan Barrett in Steve McQueen: The Salvation of an American Icon
Steve’s response was muted but open because of his respect for Stan.
But McQueen was riding too hot and too fast to think about God.
He turned down the role of Sundance in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid because he wanted billing over Newman.
He turned down roles in One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman, and many others.
“As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Unlikely Encounter #2
Steve ran into stuntman Mel Novak and directors Steven Spielberg and John Milius at a trap shooting event.
Steve offered Mel a part in one of his last movies, Tom Horn.
Mel is an actor, martial artist, and an ordained minister who Steve admired and enjoyed.
In his new book about McQueen, Greg Laurie describes Mel this way.
“Mel has appeared in over forty movies and always does his own fighting and stunts, even at age seventy four. He dueled Yul Brynner in The Ultimate Warrior, duked it out with Chuck Norris in Eye for an Eye, shot and killed Bruce Lee in Game of Death.” Greg Laurie, SM, p. 185
Mel survived cancer, ten throat surgeries, and a severely damaged leg to carry on his movie career.
He’s strong today at 85 with his Christian ministry to prisoners and folks on skid row.
Mel talks about the time he first shared his faith with Steve.
“He was married to Ali McGraw. I shared my walk with Jesus Christ and he didn’t mock me like some do.” Mel Kovak in Greg Laurie, SM, p. 185
Unlikely Encounter #3
In 1979, Steve asked flying legend Sammy Mason for lessons.
Sammy spent more than forty years in the air doing stunts and testing the latest equipment for Lockheed.
Steve didn’t expect a remarkable testimony of faith in God from Sammy.
‘“Sammy and me would fly, and he’d tell me about the Lord,” McQueen later told a friend. “Flying and the Lord . . . I learned about the Bible. I’d listen and fly. It made sense.”’ Greg Laurie, SM, p. 204
Sammy invited Steve and his wife, Barbara Minty, to the Ventura Missionary Church.
“The McQueens sat in the balcony of the church with Sammy and Wanda Mason almost every Sunday…Steve brought along his son Chad whenever he visited.” Greg Laurie, SM, p. 206
A departing message from Steve McQueen
Teena Valentino, his med tech, has cassette recordings Steve made in his final days.
Here’s one of them.
“…the Lord Jesus Christ is there for us. All we need is faith and the ability to reach out and accept His love, ‘cause He is there for us…Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.”
What would your last words be?
Thank you for the insight Steve. I remember seeing The Great Escape with my dad when it first came out. Steve McQueen was epitome of ultimate cool. But, like all of us, we must all realize we need the love of God on many levels to navigate life. As even Steve McQueen realized.
Thank you for sharing Ben. Indeed, the love of God.
Steve, thank you for researching and sharing this story to encourage all of us to be ready to give an answer for the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Lives are changed and lives are saved when we lift up Jesus.
Mine was! And I know yours was too! Great to hear from you!
Steve,
What an amazing story! God’s timing was so perfect for McQueen and the gift of humility so perfect. We can all be blessed by His love.
Makes you want to revisit his movies doesn’t it Mary? Judy and I watched “Bullitt” and “The Great Escape” this past week. Thanks!
I’ve always loved that someone in Hollywood truly trusted Jesus. 🙂 McQueen’s conversion is proof that God can change any life. I appreciate the encouragement today, Steve. Thank you.
He wished he could have lived longer to proclaim his faith. Thanks Wayne!
Very Cool!
Thanks Beth!
Wow, even though you told me about Steve McQueen’s conversion to Christianity while you were writing this, I still am impacted by the story. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Judy! I am too! Many folks don’t know this side of Steve McQueen!