Steven R. McQueen, an impressive actor at the age of 34, possesses the talent and striking features inherited from his late grandfather, whom he never had the chance to meet. Born into the Hollywood lineage of the iconic Steve McQueen, known as the King of Cool, Steven shares the same tough guy blood that runs through his family.
The son of race car driver and former actor Chad McQueen, who himself is the offspring of the legendary Steve McQueen, Steven R. McQueen was born in 1988, eight years after his illustrious grandfather passed away from a heart attack during surgery to remove multiple tumors.
In 2017, Forbes recognized McQueen as one of the highest-earning deceased stars, while GQ included him posthumously in their list of the 50 Most Stylish Men. The legacy of Steve McQueen lives on, as evidenced by the significant prices his belongings command. For instance, a dedicated fan anonymously purchased his prized possession, a 1963 Ferrari Berlinetta Lusso, for an astounding $2.3 million at an auction. Similarly, in 2006, another enthusiast paid $70,200 for a pair of Persol sunglasses worn by McQueen in the film “The Thomas Crown Affair.” With his piercing icy blue eyes and rebellious charm, Steve McQueen became immortalized through his captivating performances in movies such as “Bullitt,” “Sand Pebbles,” “The Magnificent Seven,” and “The Great Escape.”
Steven R. McQueen holds his grandfather’s career in high regard and regards him as an influential figure. In an interview with the New York Post, Steven expressed his admiration, saying, “I love his career. He chooses really cool, awkward films, and he’s always very interesting to watch, so I’d like to—not mimic—but kind of use him as an example. I love everything I’ve seen that he was in… My favorites are probably ‘Papillon’ and ‘The Thomas Crown Affair.'”
With his dark hair and brown eyes, Steven bears a striking resemblance to his late grandfather. Reflecting on the advantages and challenges of being Steve McQueen’s grandson, he explained, “Knowing that my grandad was a highly respected actor wasn’t necessarily intimidating, but it definitely meant there was always pressure to live up to his reputation. I think that’s why acting wasn’t something I even considered doing as a kid.” Instead, Steven spent a significant amount of time traveling with his mother and stepfather, retired professional hockey player Luc Robitaille, whom he regards as his father figure.
Steven’s mother, Stacia Toten, divorced Chad McQueen in 1990 and later married Luc Robitaille, a Hockey Hall of Famer. Steven’s bond with Luc is incredibly close, leading him to view his biological father more like an uncle. Emphasizing the positive nature of their relationship, Steven revealed, “My stepdad has been more like a biological dad in my life. I’m pretty close with my biological dad, but I think of him more like an uncle. It’s a good relationship.” The inclusion of the “R” in his name stands for Robitaille, symbolizing the strong connection he shares with his stepfather.
Chad McQueen, following in his father’s footsteps, inherited his love for motorcycles and cars, eventually becoming a professional race car driver. In 2010, he founded McQueen Racing, LLC, a company specializing in high-quality automobiles and limited-edition custom vehicles. Furthermore, Chad produced the documentary “Filming at Speed: The Making of the Movie Le Mans,” featuring his late father.
During his mid-teens, Steven began watching his grandfather’s movies, which proved to be inspiring. Additionally, he drew inspiration from other actors such as Marlon Brando and James Dean, observing their performances in a wide range of films. This exposure fueled his desire to pursue acting. Steven shared with the New Zealand Herald, “From there, my passion for it slowly unfolded. I went to a couple of classes, and I grew to love it.” Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Steven embarked on his acting career at the age of 17.
Steven made his first television appearance with a guest role in the Sci-Fi drama series “Threshold.” He then secured a recurring role as a rebellious teenage piano prodigy on the WB’s “Everwood.” However, his breakthrough came in 2009 when he landed a prominent role in the immensely popular supernatural TV series “The Vampire Diaries.” For six years, he portrayed Jeremy Gilbert, a mortal engaged in a battle against ghosts and vampires while striving to save his haunted hometown of Mystic Falls. Reflecting on the show’s appeal, Steven commented, “I think it’s the supernatural element which makes it fun to watch—and shoot—because you aren’t limited to the usual film-making rules, like life and death.” He added, “It’s like anyone can die and then come back to life, including me. I think I’ve died three times now, but I’m still here—even though I play a human character. So, for me, it’s that escapism—the ability to project yourself into a whole different realm—mixed with eternal youth and endless possibilities.”
In addition to his television roles, Steven appeared in the cult horror film “Piranha” and worked as a model for fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch, showcasing his dashing looks.
From 2015 to 2016, Steven took on a major role in both “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago PD.” In 2018, he reprised his character Jeremy for one episode in “The Vampire Diaries” spinoff, “Legacies.” He also appeared in the anthology series “Medal of Honor,” which features real-life war stories.
Regarding the pressure that comes with his famous name, Steven acknowledges its existence but embraces it as a motivator to surpass expectations and establish his own path. He stated, “There’s definitely a level of pressure because of it, but it’s the name I was born with, so I figured I may as well stick with it… Anyway, I’m quite a competitive person, so it pushes me to not only live up to any expectations but to climb out of the shadow and cut a path of my own.” For those who have yet to experience Steven R. McQueen’s talent, he is undoubtedly a remarkable young actor, and there is no doubt that his late grandfather would be exceedingly proud of him.
