"When I believe in something, I fight like hell for it." A value that Steve McQueen not only lived by; but also emanated from the silver screen.

McQueen's star rose out dark beginnings. Abandoned by his father before the age of one, left behind with relatives - repeatedly - by his mother, forced to live with a violently "prime son of a bitch" step-father during his young teen years; and, finally, being sent off to live the remainder of his youth in a a boys' reform school.

While in the reform school, he became an exemplary student. In 1947, Steve McQueen jointed the United States Marine Corp. He focused his energies on self-improvement, embraced the Marines' Code of Discipline; and, during his service, he saved the lives of five other Marines during an Arctic exercise, pulling them from a tank before it broke through ice into the sea. McQueen served until 1950, when he was honorably discharged.

In 1952, Steve began studying acting at Sanford Meisner's Neighborhood Playhouse. He also began to earn money by competing in weekend motorcycle races at Long Island City Raceway and soon became an excellent racer. Racing would be a life-long love for him. As he said himself, "I'm not sure whether I'm an actor who races or a racer who acts."

His big break came when he replaced Sammy Davis, Jr. in the film "Never So Few" which starred Frank Sinatra. Sinatra took a liking to Steve and urged the director "Give the newcomer a break." The Director, John Sturges, gave McQueen a break and casted him in the "Magnificent Seven" Steve's career would sky rocket and to this day, has yet to come down!

Posthumously, McQueen remains one of the most popular stars. Back in 2007, McQueen entered the top 10 of highest-earning dead celebrities.

In November 1999, Steve McQueen was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. He was credited with contributions including financing the film "On Any Sunday", supporting a team of off-road riders, and enhancing the public image of motorcycling overall.

Steve McQueen was larger than life on the screen and off it. May his legacy live on.