Why Steve McQueen Never Spoke to James Garner Again—The Rivalry That Defined Hollywood

Hollywood has always been a breeding ground for legendary rivalries, but few were as intense, personal, and lasting as the one between Steve McQueen and James Garner. These two icons, both rising to fame in the 1960s, were bound by their shared love of fast cars, their tough-guy images, and their careers in the action-packed world of Hollywood. However, their friendship turned into a bitter feud, leading to McQueen cutting ties with Garner for the rest of his life.

At the center of their falling out was a combination of McQueen’s jealousy, competitive nature, and a role in a racing movie that McQueen desperately wanted but went to Garner instead. The final twist? McQueen never watched Garner’s film until his dying days—and what he realized then changed everything.

This is the full story of how one of Hollywood’s greatest friendships fell apart and why McQueen refused to ever speak to Garner again.

The Rise of Two Hollywood Titans

Both Steve McQueen and James Garner had rough upbringings, which shaped them into the tough, determined men they became.

Steve McQueen: The Rebel With a Past

Born in 1930 in Indiana, McQueen had a troubled childhood. His father abandoned the family when he was just six months old, and his alcoholic mother repeatedly sent him away. He ran away from home, lived on the streets, and became involved in gangs. By the time he was a teenager, he had been arrested multiple times and eventually sent to a reform school.

His rebellious nature led him to join the Marines, where he found discipline but also managed to get himself thrown into solitary confinement. Despite his struggles, McQueen’s unbreakable will and survival instincts would serve him well in Hollywood.

James Garner: The Reluctant Star

Garner, born in 1928 in Oklahoma, had a tragic upbringing of his own. His mother died when he was four, and his stepmother was physically abusive, making his childhood miserable. At 16, he dropped out of school and joined the Merchant Marines before enlisting in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he earned two Purple Hearts for his bravery.

Unlike McQueen, who fought for fame, Garner stumbled into acting. A talent scout saw potential in him, and before he knew it, he was cast in Maverick (1957), a TV western that made him a household name.

The Friendship That Turned into a Feud

Despite their different paths to fame, Garner and McQueen shared a bond. They were both rugged, anti-authority figures with a passion for fast cars and motorcycles. However, their personalities clashed from the start.

McQueen was reckless, insecure, and always felt like he had something to prove. Garner, on the other hand, was laid-back, charming, and effortlessly cool. Their friendship grew tense because of McQueen’s jealousy and competitive nature.

McQueen was obsessed with being the biggest star in the room. He would count his lines in scripts to ensure he had more than his co-stars, and he constantly tried to outshine anyone he worked with. Garner, in contrast, didn’t care about status or being the center of attention, which infuriated McQueen.

The Great Escape: A Turning Point

The first real crack in their friendship came in 1963 when both actors starred in The Great Escape. McQueen played Captain Virgil “The Cooler King” Hilts, while Garner played Lieutenant Bob Hendley, “The Scrounger”.

On set, McQueen felt threatened by Garner’s natural charisma. While McQueen had the more action-packed role, Garner’s character was the more relatable, grounded figure. It didn’t help that Garner had an easygoing attitude and was universally liked by the crew, while McQueen was known for being difficult and demanding.

McQueen even counted their screen time and demanded script changes to ensure he had more memorable moments than Garner.

Garner later recalled:

“McQueen was always trying to make himself the star of every scene. It got tiring, honestly.”

This competitive one-sided rivalry would only intensify over the years.

The Breaking Point: Grand Prix vs. Le Mans

The final breaking point in their friendship came in 1966 when director John Frankenheimer was casting for the movie Grand Prix, a high-profile film about Formula 1 racing.

McQueen Wanted the Role—But Garner Got It

McQueen, a racing fanatic, desperately wanted to star in Grand Prix. However, his ego got in the way. He clashed with the film’s producers, demanding total creative control. His arrogance led to the studio dropping him from consideration.

With McQueen out, the role went to James Garner.

When McQueen found out, he was furious. He called Garner to confront him, but Garner simply said:

“They offered it to me, Steve. I didn’t steal it from you.”

McQueen never spoke to him again.

McQueen Tried to Outdo Garner with Le Mans

Still obsessed with making a racing film, McQueen personally financed and starred in Le Mans (1971). Unlike Grand Prix, which had a compelling story, Le Mans was nearly all racing footage with no real plot.

It was a disaster.

Critics hated it, audiences were bored, and it flopped at the box office. Meanwhile, Grand Prix became a critical and commercial success, winning three Academy Awards.

McQueen never got over it. He refused to watch Grand Prix for years, but in his final days, his son convinced him to watch it.

After seeing it, McQueen reportedly admitted:

“Damn. Garner did it better.”

It was too late to fix things, but McQueen finally realized he had wasted years holding a pointless grudge.

McQueen’s Tragic End & Garner’s Lasting Legacy

Steve McQueen’s career and life spiraled downward in the 1970s. His health deteriorated due to heavy smoking, drug use, and stress. In 1979, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare lung cancer. He fled to Mexico for experimental treatments, but nothing worked.

On November 7, 1980, McQueen passed away at just 50 years old.

Garner, on the other hand, continued acting for decades, earning critical acclaim in films like Murphy’s Romance (1985) and The Notebook (2004). He lived a long and fulfilling life, passing away in 2014 at the age of 86.

Despite their bitter rivalry, Garner never spoke ill of McQueen. In one interview, when asked about their falling out, he simply said:

“Steve was complicated. But he was one of a kind.”

Conclusion: A Feud That Defined an Era

The McQueen-Garner rivalry was one of Hollywood’s most intense feuds, built on jealousy, competition, and egos. In the end, Garner outlasted McQueen in every way—in career, in life, and in legacy.

Their story is a reminder that grudges can be pointless. While McQueen spent years resenting Garner, Garner moved on, focused on his career, and lived a full life.

In the end, McQueen realized he had been wrong all along, but by then, it was too late.

What do you think? Was McQueen’s jealousy justified, or did he waste a friendship over nothing? Let us know in the comments!