Candice Bergen Shares Rare Personal Memory of Volatile Film Icon Steve McQueen, Who Would ‘Beat up’ Men for Fun

Candice Bergen has reminisced about her experience working alongside the iconic actor Steve McQueen on the 1966 film *The Sand Pebbles*. In a recent interview that aired on July 8, as part of the show *Where Everybody Knows Your Name*, the 80-year-old actress shared her reflections on McQueen, regarded as one of Hollywood’s most charismatic stars.

In the film, McQueen, who passed away in 1980, portrayed Jake Holman, a Navy sailor assigned to a gunboat stationed on the Yangtze River during the tumultuous period of the Chinese Civil War. Bergen played Shirley, a missionary caught amidst the chaos. During her conversation, Bergen described how McQueen treated her with kindness throughout the filming process. She noted his readiness to invite her on motorcycle rides while they were shooting on location in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Bergen recalled how McQueen often insisted she accompany him on his motorcycle, saying, “He had whatever he wanted there,” and would ask, “Want to go on my bike?” She happily obliged, adding an adventurous element to her otherwise conservative missionary attire during their outings along the beach.

Despite the friendly interactions on set, Bergen divulged a more chaotic side to McQueen’s lifestyle. She described him as travelling with a group of three men, who she referred to as “goons” and made a habit of getting into fights during the weekends. According to Bergen, they treated these brawls much like a routine exercise, stating, “They wouldn’t kill people,” but found amusement in the confrontations.

The actress recounted how McQueen and his friends would target “room boys” in the hotels they were staying at. These were men who stood ready to assist guests with their needs, and Bergen remembered that McQueen would suggest to his companions, “Let’s go beat up a room boy.” The encounters often escalated into brawls in the hallways, leading to a chaotic scene as the room boys began to organise themselves in retaliation.

Her anecdotes left hosts Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen visibly astonished, highlighting the surprising and volatile aspects of working with McQueen. This glimpse into the actor’s off-screen behaviour offered a stark contrast to his on-screen persona as one of Hollywood’s leading men.

Though *The Sand Pebbles* did not achieve remarkable financial success, it received critical acclaim, securing eight Academy Award nominations and earning McQueen his only Oscar nod for Best Actor. The film remains a notable entry in his career, which continued to flourish with other successful projects such as *The Thomas Crown Affair*, *Bullitt*, and *Papillon*.

Bergen’s career also thrived in the years following *The Sand Pebbles*. She received an Oscar nomination for her role in *Starting Over* and appeared in renowned films such as *Gandhi*. However, it was her portrayal of the titular character in the television series *Murphy Brown* that solidified her status in the industry. The show ran for ten seasons starting in 1988 and remains a beloved classic.

Her subsequent roles have included memorable performances in series such as *Boston Legal* and films like *Miss Congeniality* and *Let Them All Talk*, showcasing her versatility and longevity as an actress.

As Bergen reflects on her experiences nearly six decades later, her stories remind us of the vibrant and often tumultuous environment of classic Hollywood. The contrast between McQueen’s rugged on-screen appeal and his off-screen antics offers a unique perspective on an era defined by larger-than-life personalities.