Posted on 07/23/2018 4:12:29 PM PDT by eastforker
Before making his way back to the United States, McQueen worked in a brothel as a towel boy for a time. He returned home and began a series of odd jobs around the country, including working on oil rigs and in a carnival. In 1947, McQueen enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and became a tank driver. Showing his rebellious streak, he ended up in the brig for extending a weekend pass into a two-week holiday. McQueen was far from the model soldier. "I was busted back down to private about seven times. The only way I could have been made corporal was if all the other privates in the Marines dropped dead," he said, according to Marshall Terrill's Steve McQueen: Portrait of an American Rebel.
After being discharged from the Marines in 1950, McQueen spent some time in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C., before returning to New York City. He hung out in the Greenwich Village neighborhood, a Bohemian enclave at the time. For a time, McQueen seemed aimless, moving and changing jobs frequently. He discovered his calling with the help of a girlfriend who was also an aspiring actress. With support from the G.I. Bill, McQueen enrolled at the Neighborhood Playhouse run by Sanford Meisner in 1951. Career Breakthroug
(Excerpt) Read more at marines.togetherweserved.com ...
And then there were two.
My older Brother met Steve McQueen many times. He was an A & P Mechanic working for an Executive Aviation Company at Van Nuys Airport.
McQueen used them to fly down to Mexico when he was Off Road Racing in Baja. My Brother was friendly with McQueen’s Assistant. He said the guy reminded him of Buddy Hackett.
Like I said, small world. I guess growing up in S. CA gave me an edge. #;^)
Heck, I remember being a little Kid and seeing Walt Disney a couple of times at Disneyland, along with Fred McMurray and Joe Flynn. I went there way too many times in the 60’s.
I’m getting old. In three days I’m turning 65. Born the day before the Korean Armistice was signed. I guess they figured once I showed up the War wasn’t worth it anymore.
Just remembered. My Dad knew Jonathan Winters. He used to fix his Car. They used to ride around talking about everything but the Car. LOL
I do go on.... LOL
Ever owned a Green 67 Mustang Fastback?
Interesting pic.
I thought McQueen was Right Handed but he is firing that Rifle Left Handed.
amphibious?
McQueen had a big Old Biplane
that is down here in San Diego.
Lots of cool stuff in SoCal!
I had a 69 Mustang fastback. It was white with gray stripes.
351 and an automatic. It was fast but not spectacularly so.
I heard The Magnificent Seven was interesting in the fact that McQueen was a lot quicker on the draw than Yul Brenner (the star). So McQueen was given a shotgun for his character.
ambidextrous...
“Hey you bastards, I’m still here”
Wish you still had it?
I had a 70 Torino GT, 351, 4 Speed with a Shaker Hood that was actually pretty fast. It was a rattle trap but it was fun. They are finally increasing in Value in the Collector Market.
I watch Barrett-Jackson and see all the Cars I’ve owned going for Tens of Thousands of Dollars.
The same Cars I sold for Hundreds of Dollars. :(
If I knew then what I know now. (I would have bought Apple at $15) LOL
Yea, that too!
I really liked that movie.
I had one. Guy I sold it to repainted it like Bullitt.
Wish I still had it. Met a guy with a 70 or 71 Torino (been too long) with a 429. It was perfect. The guy who bought my Mustang had the nicest 67 GT500 KR I’ve ever seen in person.
His company (his own) is gone so I’m guessing he’s not around any more. I haven’t seen him in 40+ years. Didn’t really know him very well except for the sale and a car club.
Several good McQueen movies have been mentioned, and I shall add a very good one: “The Thomas Crown Affair”. He was the epitome of cool and Faye Dunaway never looked so lovely.
Yes, remember that one and Bullitt, The Sand Pebbles, The Great Escape, etc.
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