Though he made his mark on both film and television as a Western star, Steve McQueen was never one to come to terms with the true height of his own talent and popularity. Of course, being the "King of Cool," what could possibly be cooler than refusing to notice your own status?

But acting meant more to McQueen than simply seeming impressive to others. For McQueen, acting was a learning opportunity every time he took on a new role, and with a new role came brand new challenges.

"People are always asking me, 'Are you a method actor?'" said McQueen during an interview with The Record. "I have never read Stanislavski, and I don't think there is any set 'method'. You have to find a method of your own."

Watch Wanted Dead or Alive on MeTV!

Saturdays at 5:30 PM

*available in most MeTV markets

For McQueen, his own method was drawing from his own past to create a new and original design for the characters he played. This trip down memory lane was also where he found inspiration for playing Josh Randall of Wanted Dead or Alive.

"You know where I got my idea of Randall?" asked McQueen. "From a cop I once knew as a kid in New York. There was no monkey business with him. When he said he'd shoot, he meant it. Well, I think of him and pretty soon I'm Josh Randall."

In fact, though it was the role that made him a star, playing Josh Randall in a few seasons of Wanted Dead or Alive was certainly a trial by fire for McQueen.

"I'm still a pretty naive actor out here," said McQueen, "and a bushed one. We've done nine shows, back to back, and we're going to Arizona again. It's 115 degrees out on those salt flats, and those aren't studio horses I'll be riding. Man, I hope I get through."