March 23, 2005; Bishop, California, USA. Film still from Nevada Smith 1966. Thursday March 24th, 2005 will be the 75th anniversary of the birth of Steve McQueen, who died of a heart attack on November 7th, 1980 after being diagnosed with inoperable cancer. The American Tough Guy actor loved motorcycle and car racing and starred in many successful films, including The Great Escape and Bullitt.