Steven McQueen , also known as the " The King of Cool " , was one of the most well known and beloved actors of his time as he starred in over   25 moving-picture show during his almost 30 twelvemonth farsighted career . He was a man of many talent as he was able to act in several different genre from sci - fi to Western to suspense .

Sadly the corking worker devolve away at the young eld of 50 in 1980 . Even though it ’s been 40 age since his untimely end , his movies are still being played today and he is still deliberate an iconic movie star . Let ’s take a looking at his 10 most iconic roles :

Henri Charrriere in Papillon

base on the 1969 autobiography by Henri Charriere , Papillonwas a huge box berth success make over $ 3 million in its first week . Steve McQueen starred as Henri " Papillon " Charriere , the wrong convicted gentleman who desire to escape his imprisonment .   Costarring alongside McQueen was Dustin Hoffman as Louis Dega ,   fellow convict who aid Henri escape .

McQueen   was nominated for a   Golden Globe for his execution and the film itself realize an Academy Award nomination for Best Music .   Over 40 years after Papillon was released , a remade with Charlie Hunnam as Henri and Rami Malek as Louis Dega hit theater of operations in 2017 .

Jake Holman in The Sand Pebbles

The 1966 filmThe Sand Pebblesstarring Steve McQueen as Jake Holman , the ill-affected US Navy mechanic ,   wowed fans as it earned critical and commercial success . The Sand Pebbleswas nominate for several Academy Awards and Golden Globes , include McQueen ’s nominating address for Best Actor .

The Sand Pebblestells the story of a river gunboat in 1920 ’s China with independent Navy machinist Jake aboard . The crew is ordered to protect Americans include instructor Shirley Eckhart , played by Candice Bergen . Jake and the crew   become involved in a grim feud which sustain viewers on the sharpness of their tooshie and rooting for the river gravy boat crew .

Michael Delaney in Le Mans

The 1971 filmLe Mansis a staple in most racing fans ’s flick collecting . The drama limn the story of Porsche race car driver Michael Delaney as he overcomes his atrocious memories and feelings for a widow to thump his Ferrari rival in the 24 time of day endurance slipstream in Le Mans , France .

Racing was a reliable passionfor Steve McQueen and Le Mans was suppose to appropriate McQueen to take control of his calling . In 2015 a documentary , Steve McQueen : The Man & Le Mans , was resign usher the brat and turmoil during the production ofLe Mans .

Michael O’Hallorhan in The Towering Inferno

tragedy filmThe Towering Infernowas a gigantic success in 1974 as it was the second highest grossing plastic film of the class and won several Oscars and Golden Globes . With Steve McQueen and Paul Newman in the same film , it was bound to be a hit .

The Towering Infernois the suspensive and tragic story of a new constructed skyscraper catch up with on fire due to contractor taking shortcuts . Steve McQueen stars as Fire Chief Michael O’Hallorhan and Paul Newman costars as designer Doug Roberts . The two are forced to team up to hold open as many life as they can .

Thomas Crown in The Thomas Crown Affair

Steve McQueen headliner alongside Faye Dunaway as millionaire Thomas Crown in the thrilling and romanticist 1968 filmThe Thomas Crown Affair . The crime moving-picture show was write by McQueen ’s trusted film writer , Alan Trustman who also wroteBullitt .

Thomas Crown is a bored millionaire who adjudicate to add together a small excitement into his spirit by surcharge a bank which he successfully pulls off . But things go awry when beautiful insurance investigator Vicki Anderson , played by Dunaway , get an interest in the offence . Not only does McQueen do a terrific occupation acting in this picture , but he also does his own stunts including racing a dune buggy at top speed on the Massachusetts ’s coastline .

Steve Andrews in The Blob

With a name likeThe Blob , who would n’t want to see this film?The Blobwas a 1958 sci - fi motion-picture show about , you venture it , a killer blob or in more proficient terms a gelatinous alien . Steve McQueen starred as humble townsfolk teenager Steve Andrews and his best girl in the photographic film was Jane Martin play by Aneta Corseaut .

The young lovebirds are the first to name the jello - like alien , and they do their best to discourage others . alas no one believes the kid , include the town ’s police officer . The Blobmight not have won any prestigious awards , but it is an iconic classic for sci - fi fans .

Doc McCoy in The Getaway

For lover of romantic offense dramas , the 1972 filmThe Getawaystarring Steve McQueen as convict Doc McCoy and Ali MacGraw as his wife Carol , is a must take in . Doc and Carol strike up a raft with a shady Texan , Jack Benyon play by Ben Johnson , to get Doc out of jail . A get out of poky free card in exchange for helping with a bank   robbery .

But things go south for the couple as they are soon on the run from the law and from other criminals . Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw were husband and married woman in substantial spirit as well . The couple was married from 1973 to 1978 and she is believe to be the dead on target love of his life .

Vin Tanner in The Magnificent Seven

Everywestern fanhas seen the 1960 ’s filmThe Magnificent Sevenstarring Steve McQueen , Yul Brynner , Charles Bronson , Robert Vaughn , Brad Dexter , James Coburn , and Horst Buchholz . These seven are professional hit man hired to protect a Mexican Village from an evil outlaw leader .

Even though the film did not receive critical plaudits it did realise three continuation , a sci - fi interpreting , and a remake in 2016 starring big name such as Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt . These sequels and version might be great movies , but no one can hold a candle to Steve McQueen and the 1960 ’s triggerman .

Frank Bullitt in Bullitt

There have been many   thrilling railroad car chases in the history of Hollywood , but none quite as legendary as the pursual in the 1968 action filmBullitt . Steve McQueen star as police lieutenant Frank Bullitt who is in charge of ring boss Pete Ross ’s crony Johnny .

thing get dicey when pack torpedo become take which run to the famous car chase that ran all over San Francisco . At the time of filming , McQueen was a world - class race car driver and drove in all of the faithful up scenery . McQueen also picked out the iconic mustang himself .

The Great Escape

Steve McQueen is an iconic actor who is still value and bang as " The King of Cool . " While many of McQueen ’s movies gained him his " nerveless guy cable " report , none of them were as influential as 1963 filmThe Great Escape .

Steve McQueen starred as Captain Virgil Hilts who along with the help of British Squadron Leader Robert Bartlett played by Richard Attenborough , gets his adult male out of the German prisoner of war summer camp . But their escape is just the beginning in this wild drive . The Great Escapemade Steve McQueen the fable he is to this sidereal day .

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A collage image of Luke Skywalker in A New Hope

steve mcqueen feature photo

Papillion

The Sand Pebbles

Le Mans

The Towering Inferno

The Thomas Crown Affair

The Blob1

The Getaway

The Magnificent Seven

Steve McQueen walking away from his car in Bullitt

The Great Escape1

Movies

Steve McQueen