Steve McQueen, who committed to Christ late in life, TV show 'Wanted: Dead or Alive' is now featured each weekend on the MeTv Network

By James Lambert

From 1963 to 1978, Steve McQueen was considered by movie fans and big screen insiders as one of the main leading actors in Hollywood. The rugged faced actor's roles defined "cool" and his persona was idolized by men and women alike, yet he remained unfazed by Hollywood's glitter. Late in his life the famous actor finally realized his need for God and decided to commit his life to Christ.

Terrance Steven McQueen was born in Beech Grove, Indiana, in March 1930. When he was only six months old he was abandoned by his father and was raised for a few years by his uncle. His natural mother stepped in and eventually sent him to the Boy's Republic, a reform school based in Chino, California. The future actor later credited the Boy's Republic for helping him change the direction of his life, and in his later years he gave a very large endowment to the school.

After a stop in the military, McQueen decided to give acting a try. After attending the Actor's Studio in New York City, Steve got his first break in 1956 when he won a role in the film Somebody Up there Likes Me. It was also in New York that he met his first wife, actress and dancer Neile Adams. Eventually, he landed the lead role in the made-for-TV western series Wanted: Dead or Alive. That program which played for several years on television is now being shown every weekday on the MeTV (www.MeTv.com ) television network.

McQueen went on to take part in many big-screen successes of the day, including The Great Escape, Bullitt, The Towering Inferno, The Magnificent 7, Papillon, Le Mans, The Sand Pebbles (for which he received an Oscar nomination), The Getaway and The Thomas Crown Affair. McQueen co-starred with his second wife, Ali McGraw, in the action movie The Getaway.

Several years before his death in November of 1980 and before he knew he had cancer, the actor moved to Santa Paula, California where he took up flying bi-planes. The actor sought out the finest flight instructor in the region, whose name was Sammy Mason. Mason was a committed Christian who practiced his faith. Over time Mason shared with his new friend, Steve McQueen. Eventually Sammy took McQueen to church, where Steve committed his life to Christ.

The media relations department of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association told this writer in 2003 that Dr. Graham visited the actor in his home just prior to his death in 1980. The well-known evangelist wrote the forward to the book: Steve McQueen, the Final Chapter, written by Grady Ragsdale and published in 1983, and noted, "I had planned to minister to Steve, but as it turned out, he ministered to me." In the fifth Chapter of the newly released book – 16 Amazing Stories of Divine Intervention Steve McQueen's inspiring story is once again told by author James Lambert.

As for Iconic actor, one of his final wishes prior to his death was that his personal story would stir many of his fans to develop a relationship with our loving God. You can play a part in fulfilling that wish by sharing Steve's story with a relative or by passing on his story (in Chapter 5 of 16 Amazing Stories of Divine Intervention) to anyone who needs to hear the liberating message of God's good news from the Bible.

Lambert is the author of the book: 16 Amazing Stories of Divine Intervention (Xulon Press). For more go to: www.16AmazingStories.com (Includes inspiring stories on Ronald Reagan, Steve McQueen, Mickey Mantle, George Washington, Josh Hamilton, Bryan Maclean, Ruben De La Torre, Patricia White, Annie Meadows, Darren Carrington, and others).

© James Lambert