Steve McQueen, the iconic Hollywood rebel, was not just a cinematic legend; he was also a man who stirred up animosity among some of the biggest names in Tinseltown. In a candid interview with Barbara Walters in June 1979, just a year before his death, McQueen revealed that he had six enemies in Hollywood, each with their own reasons for their disdain.
One of the most notable feuds was with Paul Newman, a rivalry that blossomed from jealousy and competition. The two actors, seen as polar opposites, were once considered the ultimate duo in American cinema. However, their friendship soured during a 1967 gathering at the Beverly Hills Hotel when McQueen arrived late and unapologetic, igniting a bitter rivalry.
Sources claim McQueen had originally been slated to star in “Cool Hand Luke,” but after Newman hosted a dinner that influenced casting decisions, McQueen vowed never to share a marquee with him again. This animosity escalated to the point where McQueen demanded top billing in future projects, leading to a series of public confrontations and even a legal battle after a physical altercation on the set of “The Towering Inferno.”
Elizabeth Taylor, another Hollywood heavyweight, also found herself at odds with McQueen. Their feud reportedly began when McQueen insulted her during a Golden Globe afterparty in 1971, suggesting her Oscar was more about her romantic entanglements than her talent. The fallout was swift and severe, with Taylor leveraging her influence to undermine McQueen’s career.
He was reportedly dropped from the Academy Awards consideration and faced backlash that affected his standing in the industry for years.
Marlon Brando, known for his own rebellious spirit, clashed with McQueen over a romantic interest, Barbara Lee. Their rivalry turned physical during a confrontation at a premiere, leading to a public brawl that left both men with injuries. Brando’s psychological tactics to win over Lee only fueled McQueen’s rage, resulting in a bitter feud that played out in the tabloids.
John Wayne, the embodiment of traditional masculinity, and McQueen represented two contrasting ideals of manhood. Their feud ignited during a live television interview in 1972 when McQueen dismissed Wayne’s cowboy persona, sparking a war of words that highlighted a generational divide in Hollywood. Wayne’s response was swift and fierce, leading to a media frenzy that further deepened their rivalry.
Audrey Hepburn, the beloved actress known for her grace, also found herself at odds with McQueen. Their collaboration on “The Garden of Glass” turned sour after McQueen’s harsh comments during a script reading, which reportedly left Hepburn emotionally devastated. The fallout from their relationship was so severe that it led to her hospitalization, causing a ripple effect in the industry as fellow actresses rallied against McQueen’s behavior.
Lastly, Kirk Douglas’s feud with McQueen was marked by a struggle for dominance in Hollywood. When McQueen was considered for a role originally meant for Douglas, tensions boiled over into a physical confrontation at a gala. Their public altercation was caught on camera, leading to a media storm that overshadowed both their careers.
As these stories illustrate, Steve McQueen was a complex figure whose relationships with his peers were often fraught with tension and rivalry. With such a legacy of conflict, one has to wonder: who truly bore the deepest grudge against McQueen?
