Author Marshall Terrill has had an especially busy year, releasing two projects on his favorite subject, the late actor Steve McQueen, and subsequently traveling to Europe and Japan to meet with fans. First, Steve McQueen: A Tribute To The King of Cool, a nearly 400-page coffeetable photo book with passages from McQueen's friends, was released via Dalton Watson Fine Books this past summer.
Next up, in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of McQueen's demise from mesothelioma on November 7th, 1980, the 600+ page bio entitled Steve McQueen: The Life and Legend of a Hollywood Icon, came out several weeks ago. Terrill considers this bio, an update/virtual overhaul of his first McQueen project back in 1993, his final word on McQueen.
Luckily for us, Terrill has kindly granted an extended interview over the past month. If you wish to go back and catch up with Part Five, where Terrill discusses McQueen's relationship with two other icons, namely John Wayne and Paul Newman, click here.
If not, the interview continues below with tidbits on Elvis Presley & McQueen dating a beautiful actress (Barbara Leigh) simultaneously, McQueen's greatest role, McQueen moonlighting as a bartender and telephone repairman, and much more.
The Marshall Terrill Interview
Another superstar, Elvis Presley, had an interesting connection to McQueen…..
I did a book with Memphis Mafia member Sonny West called Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business, released in 2007. He told me a story of how the two met one day on the way to the studio in the mid-'60s. Elvis was in a limousine when McQueen pulled up on a motorcycle. They were pleasant to each other but the exchange was brief.
The two legends really collided when they were competing for the affections of actress Barbara Leigh, who I also wrote a book with, entitled The King, McQueen and the Love Machine, in 2002. She was Steve's co-star in his 1972 rodeo western, Junior Bonner.
Before she met Steve, Barbara was dating Elvis & Metro Goldwyn Mayer studio executive Jim Aubrey in August 1970. She then got the role of "Charmagne", and she and Steve started seeing each other on the set of Junior Bonner, and even after the movie was completed.
Barbara, Steve, and Elvis had a “don't ask, don't tell” policy regarding the people they were dating. I have a sneaking suspicion Steve knew she was still seeing Elvis and that Elvis knew she was seeing Steve.
So when Elvis would call, he'd ask, “How's that motorcycle hick”? And Steve would ask, “Was that the guitar hick?” It wasn't often that McQueen or Elvis had to compete for a woman, but Barbara Leigh, who was a stunner, was quite worth the chase. She's a very sweet lady and still as sexy as ever.
When you got down to it, Barbara was really in love with James Aubrey. She knew Elvis would never give up other women and realized she and Steve weren't a great match. I don’t know of Elvis and Steve meeting again after their relationships with Barbara ended.
Was Papillon McQueen’s greatest acting role? What did he do in order to prepare for the role?
Yes, it's my personal opinion that Papillon was his greatest role because his performance captures the essence of needing to be free despite the costs. His character experiences many torments and hardships to achieve his goal.
The maturity that McQueen brings to this piece of work is impressive as he shows great valor but is also unafraid to be shown at his worst, especially in the scenes where he has been in solitary confinement and in an appalling state.
McQueen had the skill and security in himself to play a character that by the end was ravaged of his good looks. He was now confident enough as an actor to stand aside from his image and let his acting do the talking.
In terms of preparation, he knew he was up against Dustin Hoffman, who was part of this new crop of young actors taking the acting world by storm. You can tell by McQueen’s performance that he was inspired.
What is the story behind Steve tending bar at a funky Agoura Hills restaurant?
The establishment was called The Old Place, and it catered to an eclectic mix of bikers, actors, beach bums, cowboys, and local characters who made the establishment their own.
He first started going there in late 1972, but he might have moonlighted there after The Towering Inferno, circa '74, '75, and '76. Flo Esposito, who was a bartender at The Old Place, told me Steve had the kindest heart of any man she had ever met.
McQueen often worked behind the bar, pouring beer and wine and serving patrons. Esposito, who spent many evenings with McQueen, said it was therapeutic for him, because he didn’t have the pressure of the media spotlight on him.
I thought it was interesting from a psychological point of view. He was the world’s highest paid movie star, but tending bar made him happy and relieved the pressure he was feeling.
Is it true Steve donned a hard hat and tool belt and snuck around as a telephone repairman?
That was a story told to me by McQueen’s former New York City roommate, Gene Lesser. He said after The Towering Inferno, McQueen was burned out and was tired of being recognized by the public.
He said McQueen used to come by his office, albeit dressed up in a hard hat and tool belt, and lie on his couch and talk for hours about the old days and what he was currently up to.
That, combined with his long hair and beard, provided a cover for McQueen so he could move about freely. Escapism was a major theme in McQueen’s life and his movies.
Have you found any other new information on McQueen since you submitted the final version of Life & Legend?
No, not any additional stories, but I would have liked to have interviewed film producer Robert Evans. Like millions of others, I wanted to ask him what was in the dossier he had on McQueen, when he got Steve to back off on the idea of adopting Joshua Evans. I think that's a secret Evans will take to his grave.
Joshua came to live with Ali and Steve after her divorce to Evans. Steve had developed a very strong bond with Joshua and wanted to marry Ali and adopt Joshua. Joshua did live with Steve and Ali for a few years at their Malibu home, and continues to have a deep affection for Steve.
To read the conclusion of my conversation with Marshall Terrill, where we will cover McQueen's wives at length as well as Terrill's recent trips to England and Japan, please go here.
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***Jeremy also writes a wide-ranging pop culture column. To investigate his latest interview, entitled "Will Turpin Remembers John Lennon On The 31st Anniversary Of His Death," click on the highlighted link.
© Jeremy L. Roberts, 2011. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without first contacting the author.
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