Was Steve McQueen Gay? Was He Gay or Bisexual?
Steve McQueen was an American film actor and motor racer named Terrence Stephen McQueen (March 24, 1930 – November 7, 1980).
His antiheroic roles in films during the late 60s counterculture era made him one of the biggest movie star draws of the period. They called him “The King of Cool,” he would answer to Harvey Mushman when racing cars.
However, today, people are more interested in his life outside profession and sexuality. Let’s go and find out more about him.
Steve McQueen Quick Facts
| Full Name | Terence Stephen McQueen |
| Birth Date | March 24, 1930 |
| Birth Place | Beech Grove, Indiana, U.S. |
| Death Date | November 7, 1980 |
| Death Place | Juarez, Mexico |
| Occupation | Actor, Racing Driver |
| Nickname | King of Cool |
| Alias in Motor Races | Harvey Mushman |
| Notable Films | The Magnificent Seven (1960), The Great Escape (1963), The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), Bullitt (1968), The Getaway (1972) |
| Personal Life | Married three times, with two children (Terry McQueen and Chad McQueen) |
| Military Service | United States Marine Corps (1947–1950), Private First Class |
Was Steve McQueen Gay?
Steve McQueen’s sexuality was a mystery. Some people thought he was gay; others thought he was bisexual. There are stories about his close guy friends, some of whom were openly gay. He had a rocky sexual relationship with James Dean and a longer love/hate affair with Paul Newman.
He also had sexual links with Peter Lawford, Sal Mineo, Rock Hudson, Chuck Connors, and George Peppard. But these relationships do not prove his sexual direction. McQueen’s life showed a complex sexuality, with reports of him being with both men and women.
He was known for liking all genders due to his many conquests, including many famous actresses. However, it is essential to note that McQueen publicly denied being gay despite being with men.
Therefore, without more proof or direct confirmation from McQueen himself, it is impossible to label him as gay.
Why Do People Question About His Sexual Orientation?
The guesses about Steve McQueen’s sexuality seem to come from a few places:
Close guy friends: Some people point to McQueen’s close friendships with other men, some of whom were openly gay.
Claims of propositions: There are claims that McQueen propositioned other men. For instance, it’s said that he propositioned Paul Newman on the set of “Somebody Up There Likes Me” and ended the talk by planting a very wet kiss on Newman’s lips.
Rumors and guesses: There were a couple of books and articles written by some writers who swear he was bisexual and had a longtime secret love affair with Cary Grant. However, none of the people closest to him ever confirmed these claims in their books or interviews.
However, it’s important to note that these are all guesses and rumors. McQueen never publicly discussed his sexuality, and there are no personal papers that would answer this question. Thus, it’s unthinkable to know for sure.
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Was Steve McQueen Married?
| Spouse | Marriage Duration | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Neile Adams | 1956-1972 | McQueen was married to actress and dancer Neile Adams for 16 years. They had two kids together. Their relationship began with a motorcycle ride, which Adams described as the start of their romance. However, as McQueen’s career grew in Hollywood, their relationship cooled down in the late 1960s. Adams blamed the sexual revolution for their crumbling marriage. |
| Ali MacGraw | 1973-1978 | After his divorce from Adams, McQueen married actress Ali MacGraw. They starred together in the 1972 film “The Getaway”. Their marriage lasted until 1978. |
| Barbara Minty | 1980 | In the year of his death, McQueen married model Barbara Minty. Their marriage lasted until McQueen’s death in 1980 at age 50. |
FAQs
What proof is there to suggest Steve McQueen liked men?
There is some proof suggesting that Steve McQueen was attracted to men and may have been involved with same-sex partners. However, this proof is not definite.
Did Steve McQueen leave any personal papers that would show his sexuality?
No, Steve McQueen did not leave any personal papers that would provide definite information about his sexuality.
What do people say about Steve McQueen’s sexuality?
Some people insist that Steve McQueen was gay, while others believe he was bisexual. However, these comments hold no consistency or accuracy of any kind.
