Steve McQueen took a major part of his life — In step with passionate wordsmith Andrew Antoniades

Andrew Antoniades, a London accountant by day and the co-author of the skillfully crafted 492-page coffee table book “Steve McQueen: The Actor and His Films,” unearths his driving passion for the King of Cool in a fascinating, exclusive profile. McQueen’s 1,000-watt smile permeates the chiseled star’s characterization of Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Jake Holman in director Robert Wise’s “The Sand Pebbles,” distributed to robust box office receipts on December 20, 1966. The King of Cool deservedly received his sole Oscar nomination but lost to Paul Scofield in “A Man for All Seasons.” Image Credit: 20th Century Fox / Redford McQueen and Newman Tumblr

Andrew Antoniades accomplished what many of us can only dream — he realized his lifelong ambition of publishing his debut book. Matter-of-factly titled Steve McQueen: The Actor and His Films, the tremendous coffee table tome places the spotlight squarely on the late Steve McQueen’s impressive film oeuvre.

McQueen was a selective oddball when choosing roles — often with the recommendation of first wife Neile Adams —appearing in just 27 films between 1956 and 1980 during an era when corporate studio policy usually dictated employees make two or three films annually.

But what memorable movies they are — The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, The Cincinnati Kid, The Sand Pebbles, Bullitt, The Thomas Crown Affair, The Getaway, Papillon — and still the list could go on.

A London accountant by day and author by night, Antoniades wrote the book with McQueen memorabilia collector and Sam “Wild Bunch” Peckinpah documentarian Mike Siegel. Nearly 500 pages in scope, 9" x 12" in size, and featuring over 1,000 illustrations of vintage movie posters, lobby cards, and excavated stills from set locations, the hardcover book offers McQueen fans the complete package.