STEVE MCQUEEN WAS A BRIG-RAT MARINE LEGEND BEFORE HE BECAME HOLLYWOOD’S ‘KING OF COOL’

Coffee or Die ^ | July 13, 2021 | Mac Caltrider

[CheshireTheCat]

Steve McQueen had a rough childhood. Between two abusive stepfathers, an alcoholic mother who abandoned him, and growing up in a reform school, it’s no surprise the famous actor viewed the Marine Corps as a great escape from life’s hardships.

Before he was a movie star or a jarhead, “The King of Cool” worked a long list of dirty jobs, including one stint as a roughneck on an oil rig and one as a “towel boy” at a brothel, which prepared him for the grimy existence of an enlisted Marine.

McQueen enlisted in 1947 as a tank engine mechanic and endured a very bumpy four-year enlistment. Apparently attending a reform school for boys did not have the intended effect, and McQueen struggled with the Corps’ strict rules. He had a penchant for rebelling and was busted down to private no fewer than seven times: an impressive feat for such a short military career.

While serving aboard Camp Lejeune, he took it upon himself to turn his weekend liberty into a two-week unauthorized vacation. When he was finally apprehended, McQueen was charged with unauthorized absence and sentenced to 41 days in the brig, where he lived on bread and water — an experience that came in handy for his famous roles as a prisoner in The Great Escape and Papillion....

[DFG]

Steve McQueen demanded extra razors and jeans in his movie contracts. He sent them to the California Junior Boys Republic in Chino where he lived at age 14-16. After making it big, Steve spent a lot of time at the reform school talking to the boys.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Seldom did he dress up in his flicks. Thomas Crown might have been it.

[Albion Wilde]

One of the most gorgeous men ever.

[Hawleyish]

naaa.... the Blob !

[redrhino47]

One of the most gorgeous men ever.

There is that.

[RasterMaster]

I can count my favorite Steve McQueen movies on one hand....

.....well, maybe not!

[Old Grumpy]

Nevada Smith!

[redrhino47]

naaa.... the Blob !

I forgot “The Blob”.
1957 ?

[FoxInSocks]

was busted down to private no fewer than seven times

hahaha semper fi, Marine!

[DIRTYSECRET]

The Sand Pebbles. One of the most touching love scenes. A beautiful young Candace Bergen offering to share her life with him. I would have gone AWOL for her.

[Iceclimber58]

I believe Bud Elkins jumped the fence in the movie.

[mylife]

he was a bad mfer

[FoxInSocks]

Just read the article his morning about his Porsche 917K going up for auction later this year.

Sotheby’s is expecting over $18 million.

[RasterMaster]

[Dogbert41]

He put his heart into Lemans (sp), which I saw as a kid, but it was a money flop. I think the Sand Pebbles was my favorite though. He was always the adult in the room, even in The Blob. Still, nobody made a sailor look so good as he did in the Sand Pebbles.

[redrhino47]

I believe Bud Elkins jumped the fence in the movie.

Thank you.
I didn’t know, either way.

He did some of his stunts, this was too risky.
I wonder if he wanted to do it ?

[PerConPat]

He Became the patron saint of Machinist Mates:

LOL...Why! He reminds me of myself... a few years back...

[BlueLancer]

“The Sand Pebbles” is my all-time favorite movie ...

[Captain Compassion]

Soldier in the Rain. A wonderful movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e9nfAsX2qQ

[Bernard]

39 posts and no mention of “Bullitt”. Shocking.