My Connection to Steve McQueen: The King of Cool and My 23rd Cousin

As a lifelong car enthusiast, I’ve always been captivated by the legendary Steve McQueen, known for his rugged charm, rebellious spirit, and love for speed—both on-screen and off. Long before I knew we were related, I admired McQueen for the same reason millions did: that unforgettable car chase scene in Bullitt (1968).

Even as a kid, the image of McQueen in his Mustang GT Fastback, barreling through the streets of San Francisco in pursuit of a black 1968 Dodge Charger, left a lasting impression. I still catch myself rewatching that scene every time I see it on TV or online—it's arguably the most iconic car chase in film history. Bullitt may be over 50 years old, but it continues to resonate with gearheads like me.

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Bullitt, My Mustang GT, and That Unforgettable Summer Night

While I can’t say McQueen was the direct inspiration, 40 years after Bullitt’s release, I found myself behind the wheel of my own 2008 Ford Mustang GT, one of the new retro-styled editions. Though not an official Bullitt edition (I’ve had bad luck with racing green!), it had a Ford Racing exhaust, and when Cheryl Crow’s song “Steve McQueen” came on the stereo one sultry August night, something clicked.

Driving down a twisting country road near my home in Ontario, I rolled down the windows, turned off the A/C, dropped a few gears, and let that Mustang roar. In that moment, I felt it: a perfect mix of freedom, rebellion, and pure adrenaline—just like McQueen might’ve felt behind the wheel.

Only later would I discover that I share a direct ancestral link to this Hollywood icon. Steve McQueen is my 23rd paternal cousin—a surprising but fitting connection.

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Early Life of Steve McQueen: A Rough Road to Stardom

Terrence Steven "Steve" McQueen was born on March 24, 1930, in Beech Grove, Indiana, to Julia Ann Crawford and William McQueen, a barnstorming stunt pilot. His father left six months after Steve was born, leaving Julia to raise Steve during the harsh days of the Great Depression.

Unable to care for her son, Julia left Steve in the care of her parents, Lillian and Victor, who later moved to Slater, Missouri, to live with Lillian’s brother, Claude. It was Claude who gave 4-year-old Steve a red tricycle—sparking a lifelong obsession with speed and racing.

McQueen’s childhood was far from easy. At age 8, he rejoined his mother and her new husband in Indiana, but the home environment was abusive. Steve, dyslexic and partially deaf due to a childhood infection, struggled in school and began spending time on the streets by age 9.

📚 For a detailed biography of Steve McQueen, visit:
Wikipedia - Steve McQueen

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Steve McQueen in the Marines: Finding Structure Through Service

In 1947, McQueen joined the United States Marine Corps. Initially rebellious, he eventually adapted to the strict discipline and matured during his service. Notably, he saved the lives of five fellow Marines when their tank fell through ice during Arctic training.

He also served in the presidential honor guard aboard the USS Williamsburg, the yacht of President Harry S. Truman. In 1950, he received an honorable discharge, forever changed by the experience.

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From Stage to Screen: McQueen's Rise to Stardom

Thanks to the G.I. Bill, McQueen studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse under Sanford Meisner, and at HB Studio with Uta Hagen. While pursuing acting, he also raced motorcycles on weekends at Long Island Raceway, winning races and making a name for himself in the underground circuit.

• 1952: First speaking role on stage

• 1955: Broadway debut in A Hatful of Rain

• 1956: First film appearance in Somebody Up There Likes Me (alongside Paul Newman)

His first starring film role came in 1958 with the sci-fi horror classic The Blob, still a cult favorite today.

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Steve McQueen Becomes a Hollywood Icon

TV Breakout: Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958–1961)

McQueen’s big break came as Josh Randall, a bounty hunter in the TV series Wanted: Dead or Alive. His cool, antihero persona took root here and carried into nearly all his future roles.

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Major Film Roles of the 1960s:

• The Great Escape (1963)

• Love with the Proper Stranger (1963)

• The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

• The Sand Pebbles (1966) – Earned his only Oscar nomination

• The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)

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Bullitt (1968): Redefining Car Chase Cinema

Bullitt remains McQueen’s most iconic film, due largely to the epic 10-minute car chase through San Francisco—arguably the most influential car chase in cinematic history. Though McQueen performed many close-up driving shots himself, most of the high-speed action was done by professional stunt drivers.

Despite budget overruns that led Warner Brothers to cancel his 7-picture contract, Bullitt became a box office hit. McQueen defiantly moved on to independent studios, releasing The Thomas Crown Affair shortly after.

🎬 Bullitt wasn't just a film—it became a cultural moment for gearheads everywhere.

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McQueen in the 1970s: Big Hits and Bigger Breaks

Steve continued to dominate in the ‘70s with hits like:

• The Getaway (1972) – where he met future wife Ali MacGraw

• The Towering Inferno (1974) – one of Hollywood’s biggest disaster films
  (I saw this at a drive-in and developed an irrational fear of skyscrapers—thanks, Hollywood!)

After Inferno, McQueen stepped away from acting to focus on motorcycle racing. He returned to the screen in 1978 and released two final films in 1980:

• Tom Horn

• The Hunter (as a modern-day bounty hunter)

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Death and Legacy of Steve McQueen

Steve McQueen died on November 7, 1980, in Juarez, Mexico, following an unsuccessful operation to remove a large tumor. He had been battling cancer since 1979.

He was cremated and his ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean.

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Personal Life and Family

McQueen was married three times:

1. Nellie Adams (1956–1972): 2 children, Terry Leslie (1959–1998) and Chad McQueen (1960–2024)

2. Ali MacGraw (1973–1978): Tragically lost a child to miscarriage

3. Barbara Minty (1980): Married just months before his death

 

A Chilling Family Connection to the Manson Murders

In a strange and tragic twist, McQueen was friends with Sharon Tate and Jay Sebring, who were murdered by the Manson Family in 1969—along with my 17th cousin (3x removed), Abigail Folger.

Later, police discovered McQueen’s name on a Manson “hit list”, prompting him to carry a gun at all times—even attending Sebring’s funeral armed.

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Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Movie Star

Steve McQueen wasn’t just a film legend—he was the embodiment of cool, a man who lived life on his terms, whether acting, racing, or fighting through adversity. As a distant relative, I'm proud to share even a small piece of his story in my family tree.

Whether you're a fan of classic cars, Hollywood history, or the golden age of cinema, Steve McQueen's legacy continues to burn rubber through the pages of pop culture.