| Writer/Biographer Marshall Terrill has just released an | | | | welcomed Gonzalez with open arms and gave him |
| updated version of his highly respected bio | | | | access to more than 10,000 medical records. He also |
| Steve McQueen: Portrait of an American Rebel, and | | | | allowed him to interview approximately 1,300 patients |
| is now working on a new Photo Book project with | | | | who were appropriately diagnosed with cancer. |
| Steve's widow Barbara Minty, which will feature | | | | Gonzalez studied Kelley's method over a five-year |
| deeply personal photographs taken by Barbara during | | | | period and found that 60 percent of Kelley's patients |
| her and Steve's time together over the years 1976 | | | | were cured of cancer. Now, not all of his patients |
| to 1980.In an exclusive interview Marshall talks with | | | | lived, but a 60 percent success rate for late term |
| McQueenOnline about both books.MO: Hi Marshall, | | | | cancer is phenomenal. When Gonzalez placed his |
| thanks for talking here about your latest Steve | | | | findings in a monograph, he found the medical |
| McQueen projects. McQueen fans all over the world | | | | establishment would not publish it, and it sent Kelley |
| are always hungry for more of Steve. Even 25 years | | | | into a tailspin. Kelley grew increasingly paranoid and in |
| after his death, he is alive in the hearts of many | | | | my opinion, became almost delusional. He accused |
| people. As a writer, where do you feel the general | | | | Gonzalez of conspiring against him even though |
| public's interest is at with Steve, compared to, say, | | | | Gonzalez was his biggest booster. Kelley's wife also |
| back in '93 when American Rebel was first | | | | left him and he eventually lost control of his |
| published?Marshall: When I originally wrote Portrait of | | | | organization. Kelley then made the outrageous claim |
| An American Rebel in the early 1990s, I introduced | | | | that McQueen was murdered by either the CIA or |
| the idea that McQueen's acting was not only ahead | | | | the medical establishment, who longed to see him fail. |
| of its time, but his talents were greatly under | | | | He also claimed many other organizations were out |
| appreciated, especially given the fact that he was | | | | for him and it was clear that he "lost it." At one point, |
| nowhere near as confident in real life than what you | | | | he was living in squalor and resorted to eating in |
| saw on the screen. I think what you're seeing now is | | | | dumpsters for food. It's sad because I truly believe |
| that people have embraced this concept that he was | | | | Dr. Kelley was on to something. I do think he was a |
| truly a remarkable one-of-a-kind talent and an | | | | genius, but like all geniuses, they have that tendency |
| iconoclast who lived by his own rules. What you're | | | | to walk the tightrope between brilliance and |
| seeing today is a full-blown renaissance, much like | | | | insanity.MO: A long time Steve McQueen fan yourself, |
| Humphrey Bogart experienced on college campuses in | | | | what has been the emotional impact of writing this |
| the 1970s. Lets just say I'm very glad to see that | | | | book, and revisiting it again?Marshall: It was wonderful |
| this has happened because in my opinion, Steve | | | | for me to revisit this territory again. I was surprised |
| McQueen is the greatest film actor in cinematic | | | | at how much I got into it because after I've written |
| history. Marlon Brando is revered as the first method | | | | something, I have a tendency to want to push it |
| actor and gets a lot of kudos for that, but Brando, in | | | | away and say, "I'm glad I've got that out of my |
| my opinion, didn't have McQueen's range or natural | | | | system." McQueen, like Elvis Presley, is one of those |
| God-given talent. Often you can see Brando acting | | | | original characters that you can write about over and |
| whereas with McQueen, he inhabited his roles, | | | | over again because they're so damn interesting and |
| meaning, you'll never catch him acting. That's perhaps | | | | complex. I'm very happy to be able to update |
| the greatest compliment you can give to an | | | | readers because it makes the book that much more |
| actor.Regarding the new updates to Portrait Of An | | | | complete.Regarding the upcoming McQueen/Minty |
| American Rebel.MO: Congratulations on the release of | | | | photo book.MO: Since Steve's death, Barbara Minty |
| your revised and extended version of American | | | | has avoided the media. Really, she became something |
| Rebel. What inspired you to update the | | | | of a "mysterious recluse" in the minds of many of |
| book?Marshall: Plexus Publishing actually asked me to | | | | Steve's fans. Then suddenly she appeared in the new |
| write an update for the book to coincide for what | | | | Essence of Cool documentary. For such a reclusive |
| would have been McQueen's 75th birthday. I gladly | | | | person this was a brave step. What do you think has |
| agreed because so much has happened since the | | | | inspired Barbara to open up to the public about her |
| book was originally published in 1993. Chiefly, that | | | | life with Steve?Marshall: It's funny that you describe |
| McQueen has become an icon on the same level as | | | | her as "reclusive" because Barbara is truly a warm, |
| James Dean, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. His | | | | funny and down-to-earth person. It's easy to see |
| image and likeness generates millions of dollars for | | | | why Steve loved her. Barbara doesn't seek the |
| the McQueen estate and is used to sell more than 30 | | | | spotlight and never has. I don't think she's too fond |
| different products, including a big multimillion campaign | | | | of the Hollywood crowd. With that said, the reason |
| for the Ford Mustang. Trust me, it wasn't always like | | | | for her resurgence is that she is now about the |
| that.MO: Did you interview any new people for this | | | | same as age Steve when he died and I think it's |
| revised edition?Marshall: I interviewed new people and | | | | been a time of self-examination.MO: As I understand |
| got updates from some of the people I interviewed | | | | it, you had been interested in doing a book with |
| in the past. It was like a high school reunion of sorts. | | | | Barbara for quite a while, but found it to be very |
| The new people I interviewed mainly were linked to | | | | difficult to make the necessary contact. How did the |
| Dr. William Kelley, who treated McQueen for cancer. | | | | pieces finally fall together?Marshall: You're right, it did |
| Kelley died in 2005 and I found out he went a little | | | | take a long time to get a hold of her - more than 15 |
| nuts towards the end of his life. It seems as if Kelley | | | | years. Interestingly enough, I did contact her in 1989 |
| was regarded as a "mad genius" by his peers, but | | | | when I started American Rebel. She was very nice |
| grew increasingly paranoid as a result of the fact his | | | | and cordial, but said she wasn't ready to talk about |
| alternative treatment to cancer was never accepted | | | | Steve at that time. Mimi Friedman, who produced |
| by the medical community. His demise will definitely | | | | The Essence of Cool, put me in contact with Barbara |
| intrigue McQueen fans.MO: So you went back to your | | | | in May of 2005, who expressed interest in doing a |
| old sources?Marshall: Yes I did, and it was a lot of fun | | | | photo book about Steve. But Barbara didn't know |
| to contact the ones who are still alive. Sadly, many | | | | who to go to. I told Mimi that I would gladly help |
| of the people who I originally interviewed died. But I | | | | Barbara fulfill her wish. I called a publisher who I knew |
| did catch up with Steve's karate instructor and best | | | | had been wanting to do a McQueen book for some |
| friend Pat Johnson; stuntman Loren Janes; former | | | | time, and then called Barbara to tell her he was |
| manager Hilly Elkins and former Solar partner Robert | | | | interested. It fell into place naturally, only it took 15 |
| Relyea. I also had a chance to interview McQueen's | | | | years for it to happen!MO: You've just recently met |
| last wife, Barbara Minty, who I plan to do a photo | | | | with Barbara in person. What were your first |
| book with in the near future.MO: For the fans that | | | | impressions?Marshall: Actually, I've only spoken to |
| have already read American Rebel, what's new in | | | | Barbara on the phone and exchanged many e-mails. |
| terms of information?Marshall: I have written a new | | | | We plan on meeting in the next few weeks. So far, |
| foreword updating readers on my life, what's | | | | my impressions of her are good and I really like her. |
| happened with McQueen's legend and an entirely new | | | | She's sweet, funny, down-to-earth and has a very |
| end chapter that updates readers on the lives of | | | | unique perspective on life. Barbara has remarried and |
| those closest to McQueen. I update readers on all of | | | | she and her husband David spend a lot of time |
| McQueen's three wives, his son Chad and his family, | | | | traveling around the country in their decked out bus, |
| the death of daughter Terry McQueen and Neile's | | | | visiting with friends and tending to their two homes in |
| second husband, Al Toffel. The McQueen family has | | | | Montana and Western Arizona. I think she's leading |
| endured a lot of tragedy and triumph in the last | | | | the life she wants to lead and is very happy.MO: How |
| decade.MO: What were you able to learn from | | | | far have Barbara and yourself gotten with regards to |
| Barbara Minty (Steve's widow, who was with him | | | | the books planning?Marshall: We've talked about the |
| during his illness) about Steve's battle with cancer and | | | | concept of the book, with me just mainly listening to |
| their involvement in the Kelley Institute's metabolic | | | | her ideas. She said she wants to do a photo book |
| therapy program (the controversial cancer treatment | | | | that's a tribute to Steve focusing on their years |
| Steve received)?Marshall: I basically learned that | | | | together (1976-1980). She wants to tell fun and |
| McQueen's cancer was too far advanced for Kelley | | | | poignant anecdotes and the stories behind the |
| to do anything, and unfortunately for him, got the | | | | photos. I think we'll be focusing just on the good |
| lion's share of the blame for his death. Barbara said | | | | days before his cancer, which is fine by me. I'm just |
| that when McQueen found out he had cancer, he | | | | there to carry out her vision.MO: How many |
| gave her a choice: live their final days in peace or | | | | photographs did she have in her collection?Marshall: |
| fight it until the very end. Barbara told him he should | | | | She has more than 100 images. Many people don't |
| fight and that's what he did. He not only fought for | | | | know this, but Barbara is a fantastic photographer |
| Barbara, but for his two kids, Terry and Chad. He | | | | and the pictures she took are of professional quality. |
| was a very noble person.MO: In the documentary | | | | In my opinion, she is a professional photographer. She |
| Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool, Barbara Minty | | | | told Steve when they first started dating, "Wherever |
| states that in hindsight she would rather that she and | | | | I go, the camera goes." Steve thankfully agreed. I |
| Steve had not gone into the Kelley program. Based | | | | say thankfully because the images are incredible. |
| on your recent talks with Barbara, what would she | | | | Very artistic.MO: What was it that struck you the |
| have done differently?Marshall: I know the reference | | | | most about these photos? What insights did they |
| you're talking about, but I haven't spoken in depth to | | | | give you into the McQueen/Minty relationship, and |
| Barbara about his cancer treatment. So far, we've | | | | into the Steve of 1976-1980?Marshall: The main thing |
| only been talking about the good times. We will be | | | | that comes across is how at peace McQueen |
| getting together in late November/early December | | | | seemed to be in the last years of his life. As you |
| and perhaps we'll broach that subject. My personal | | | | know, he took several years off from the film |
| opinion is this: Steve McQueen was told by American | | | | industry and finally began living his life away from the |
| doctors he had three months to live when he was | | | | camera. These aren't the Hollywood go-go years of |
| originally diagnosed with cancer. He was essentially | | | | stardom but the Steve McQueen who tinkered with |
| given a death sentence. Kelley, whether you agree | | | | his cars, motorcycles, antiques and planes. The |
| with his treatment to cancer or not, offered him | | | | photos have a very rustic feel and you get the |
| hope. Not false hope, but hope and there's a major | | | | sense that McQueen was very happy with Barbara |
| difference. McQueen did what he felt was right for | | | | and the way his life was going.MO: Can you describe |
| him and I think with the wisdom of hindsight, people | | | | the planned textual layout of the book?Marshall: |
| understand that today.MO: Based on your research in | | | | That's something that Barbara will decide, but I have |
| writing both the '93 and 2005 editions of American | | | | suggested something similar to Elvis by The Presleys, |
| Rebel, what are your personal views on the Kelley | | | | a recent photo book put out by Priscilla and Lisa |
| program?Marshall: I think my book in 1993 took a | | | | Marie Presley. Barbara even bought a copy at my |
| fairly strong stance that Kelley's method to treating | | | | suggestion and said it's a concept she likes. One story |
| cancer had merit, and that wasn't a very popular | | | | she told me, which goes against McQueen's image, |
| stance at the time. Why did I make that stance? | | | | has to do with his taste in music. I asked her out of |
| Because I was put in touch with a cancer survivor | | | | curiosity one day, "What kind of music did Steve |
| named Kaye, who employed the Kelley method and | | | | listen to?" Her answer blew me away. "He wore out |
| cured herself. (She died in 1994 but was originally | | | | his copy of Saturday Night Fever. Every time he put |
| diagnosed with cancer in 1973) Kaye also put me in | | | | it on, I said, 'Honey, c'mon, this isn't cutting it.'" |
| touch with employees of Plaza Santa Maria, who I | | | | Something about Steve McQueen grooving to |
| got to know on a very personal level. They never | | | | "Stayin' Alive" is a visual I can't get out of my head. |
| ducked the hard questions or came off as quacks. In | | | | That story has to be in the book!MO: Have you |
| fact, they worked with me to get me to understand | | | | formulated a title yet?Marshall: No title yet. I think |
| how his method worked and how mesothelioma | | | | that will come later. Titles usually don't come to me |
| attacks the body. Mesothelioma is one of the | | | | until the project is near completion. But again, I'll defer |
| deadliest forms of cancers and when rock singer | | | | to Barbara.MO: Do you have a projected release date |
| Warren Zevon died in 2003, no medical advances had | | | | at this point?Marshall: No release date, but we do |
| been made since McQueen's death. Today, I am | | | | have a publisher that is ready to start in December. |
| trying to help the Mesothelioma Advanced Research | | | | We're going to work very closely on this project |
| Foundation ( bring about more awareness to this | | | | with the publisher because he's very committed to |
| deadly form of cancer.McQueen's nurse, Teena | | | | quality. I think Barbara will take the lead and we'll just |
| Valentino, turned over to me an 800-page document | | | | have to help her find the vision. Maybe a year. We're |
| of his last 99 days on earth and his specific | | | | not going to be in a rush.MO: Any plans for further |
| treatment. As a reporter, you develop a sense of | | | | projects with Barbara in the future?Marshall: I recently |
| who's bullshitting you and who's not. Every person I | | | | coordinated an interview with her for a Japanese |
| interviewed who had an association with Dr. Kelley all | | | | documentary on the 25th anniversary of his death. It |
| had one thing in common-they wanted to cure | | | | was aired November 4. I'd certainly be willing to work |
| cancer patients, not exploit them. Understand this as | | | | with Barbara on anything, but I get the feeling this |
| well: McQueen showed up at the Plaza Santa Maria | | | | might be a one-shot deal. Once this book is finished, I |
| with an unlit cigar in his mouth, so Kelley clearly had | | | | don't know what more Barbara would want to say. |
| his work cut out for him. Barbara also told me that | | | | She just may disappear into the sunset once |
| Steve had smuggled in all kinds of food that wasn't | | | | again.MO: Thanks again for sharing this excellent |
| on the diet plan such as cakes, pork chops, etc. | | | | information with us McQueen fans Marshall. I can tell |
| Sadly, he didn't work the program as diligently as he | | | | you that I am really looking forward to this new |
| should have. However, I don't think it would have | | | | book of Barbara's photographs. I think it has the |
| made a bit of difference - the mesothelioma had | | | | potential to really be something special.Marshall: More |
| been working on his body for over 30 years.In the | | | | than anything, I think Barbara's photo book will fill in |
| updated version of the book, I interviewed Dr. | | | | the picture to as what Steve McQueen did during his |
| Nicholas J. Gonzalez, who was assigned by the Sloan | | | | "lost years". The answer simply is that he was living |
| Kettering Institute to evaluate Kelley's work. Kelley | | | | his life to the fullest. |