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Steve McQueen once had a famous feud with his horse
A cowboy is only as good as his horse. But what if his horse is a bit sassy?
What's a cowboy without his horse? Some days on the Wanted: Dead or Alive set, Steve McQueen wished he could've found out. McQueen played the role of Josh Randall in the hit '60s Western.
The horse he used on the show, Ringo, had an acting resume that was just as impressive as McQueen's. Ringo and McQueen were partners-in-crime in the Western series, but according to McQueen, he and his horse had some beef in real-life.
In a 1958 interview with Richmond Times-Dispatch, McQueen described Ringo as "a crazy horse" and talked about the relationship between the two.
"Ringo has a tendency to bite me," he said. "When I'm not watching, he'll lift up his foot very casually and step on my foot. Or he'll stand on my hat. Look at this scar he gave me in Phoenix."
According to the interview, McQueen had a large gash on his leg, and he showed it off to the interviewer at the time. Ringo had just as much sass as "The King of Cool" himself did, it seems.
"As soon as I get in the studio, there he is, glaring at me," he said. "It's a big joke with the crew. They put up signs, 'Hope you make it, Steve. Good luck!' I don't walk behind him anymore because I know he's going to try to kick me."
Even with their love-hate relationship, McQueen said he wouldn't have had it any other way. A cowboy is only as good as his horse, and his horse was just as gritty as McQueen.
"I said 'I want a real fresh horse, one with some fire.' I sure got one,'" he said. "They've now asked me if I want another horse. I've told them 'Don't take that horse. He's crazy but I like him!'"
Ringo and McQueen were doing something right together. Wanted: Dead or Alive became one of the most well-known Westerns of its time.
"They're trying to make me a big hero because of these ratings," he said. "I'm no hero, I'm just trying to stay alive in this world."
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