The snake washing incident took place in 1977. It was a couple of years before Steve McQueen died from cancer. He mostly asked questions while I washed the snakes; two or three of them if I remember right. I think he just appreciated getting out of the shopping center craziness. Several of the women I knew in the center had been into the shop asking me if I had seen him and if he showed up they wanted me to put it on the center intercom. He and his girlfriend's trip was announced the day before so all the female employees were waiting that day for him to show up. I thought it was silliness then and I think stuff like that is silly now. I like to think he was glad I didn't seem to know who he was. He was dressed in a sheepskin coat and he looked tired; the quiet of my shop was a refuge.
I've had the opportunity to talk(briefly)to other stars over the years and am not impressed by their hype. They put their pants on one leg at a time, same as me. They just get paid more.
Anyway, I grew up loving Steve McQueen movies and he is still one of my all time favorite actors.