Steve McQueen’s Apology to Yul Brynner on his Deathbed

Today marks the anniversary of the enigmatic and distinctive star, Yul Brynner, who passed away in 1985.

Brynner was truly one-of-a-kind, with an extraordinary life before his rise to stardom, a multitude of relationships with both men and women, and a long list of Hollywood feuds.

While working together on the set of the 1960 film The Magnificent Seven, McQueen's tumultuous relationship with Brynner became legendary when he realized his usual tactics wouldn't work.

Brynner had a notorious habit of expecting complete silence and stillness from everyone else while he delivered his lines.

In response, McQueen would intentionally remove his hat to shade his eyes or fiddle with his gun, mastering intricate flourishes for the sole purpose of diverting attention away from Brynner.

In group scenes, such as when the seven characters crossed a river on horseback, McQueen would lean down to scoop up water with his hat, effectively stealing the spotlight from his co-stars.

This audacious move was particularly bold considering another tough guy, Charles Bronson, was also part of the cast.

Eventually, Brynner, with his shaved and shiny head, shouted in frustration, “If you don't stop that, I'm going to take off my hat, and then no one will look at you for the rest of the film.”

Another aspect of Brynner's life that caused sensitivity was his height, standing at just under 5'7″.

When shooting scenes outdoors, he would kick up dirt and create small mounds for himself to stand on in order to appear taller.

McQueen, however, would casually flatten these mounds as he walked by.

Reflecting on their strained relationship, McQueen revealed, “We didn't get along.

Brynner came up to me in front of a lot of people and grabbed me by the shoulder.

He was mad about something.

He doesn't ride well and knows nothing about guns, so maybe he thought I represented a threat.

I was in my element.

He wasn't.

When you work in a scene with Yul, you're supposed to stand perfectly still, 10 feet away.

Well, I don't work that way.”

McQueen made it clear that he had no intention of tolerating being manhandled by his co-star.

Brynner even went so far as to hire an assistant whose sole responsibility was to monitor McQueen's behavior and count how many times he fidgeted during scenes.

In retaliation, McQueen criticized Brynner for having a larger horse and mocked his fancy ivory-handled gun, dismissing it as a desperate cry for attention.

Their feud became so public that it was extensively covered in the press.

In response, Brynner issued a press statement declaring, “I never feud with actors.

I feud with studios.”

Despite their animosity, it is reported that McQueen begged Brynner for forgiveness on his deathbed.

The details surrounding this final act of reconciliation remain unknown, but it serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics that can exist between actors, even long after their on-screen collaborations have ended.

The conflicting personalities and egos often found in Hollywood can lead to intense rivalries, but they can also pave the way for unexpected moments of vulnerability and understanding.

As we remember Yul Brynner on this anniversary, we honor his unique contributions to the world of film and recognize the lasting impact he has left behind.

His talent, charisma, and undeniable presence on screen continue to captivate audiences to this day.