Another one. When McQueen first appeared on the scene to many Americans it was in his western “Wanted Dead Or Alive.” People just liked McQueen. He certainly was no great actor (or ham) and not conventionally handsome, but people wanted to see more of him. He had that appeal that all the pretty boys of the fifties like Tab Hunter, Troy Donahue, and others like them lacked. None of those guys had what it took to get the male audience.
Uh, McQueen was an absolutely fine actor, classically handsome, who knew exactly who he was and how to present himself on film. He took scripts and crossed out most of his dialogue because he knew that his inner thoughts would convey his emotions better than words. Superb performer. And a good comic actor as well.