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This was the one thing Steve McQueen stole from the set of Wanted Dead or Alive after the series had ended
The actor brought this iconic prop home with him.
There are a lot of reasons why a show like Wanted Dead or Alive became so popular - Excellent writing, plenty of action, etc. However, fans of the show would no doubt agree that one of the key reasons why the show has such a lasting impact was due to the casting of Steve McQueen.
Of course, McQueen is known for playing bounty hunter Josh Randall.
Playing the character catapulted McQueen's career, and led him to become an incredibly successful film actor. The star was known for his wild lifestyle, though he admitted that he felt comfortable settling down once he had grown up a bit.
"I'm 31 and I'm beginning to find peace," said McQueen during an interview with the Newspaper Enterprise Association. "I don't need any kind of happy-jack publicity. I want to be part of society. When I'm working I'm happy to go home at night, put a chair under me and just sit. But I like privacy when I'm off. When I'm not working, man, I still like to swing."
No doubt acting on Wanted Dead or Alive helped to mature McQueen some. Still, while he was grateful for the opportunity to star in his own television show, he was grateful for the opportunity to stand on his own two feet.
"Now, I don't have to lean on Josh Randall and his shotgun. I'm up for recognition now."
However, McQueen didn't leave the set of the series empty-handed.
"I stole that shotgun when I checked out," he said. "I'm gonna have it made into a cigarette lighter."
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3 Comments
According to the noted TV writer and author of a book about Bonanza, David Greenland,
after the show was canceled Landon had a van backed up to grab all the goodies
off the set. His kids must be sitting on a gold mine, all sorts of people or Western Museums
would want Ben's iconic desk and the map on the wall, the sofa etc.
I have never heard of even one item from the set being up for sale, I don't blame them
if they considered all the items family heirlooms.
Anyway, its a good thing Mike did save them, they might have been thrown out or donated
to Goodwill.
Many of the pieces on Collector's Call were retrieved by the crews or actors as the
set was being struck, some right out of the garbage. It's an excellent show, catch it
Sundays on MeTV.
The writers on Maverick made sport of the weapon and McQueen - in a fun way - in
one episode.