Billy Graham's meeting with Steve McQueen to be told in documentary

ASHEVILLE — The story of how the Rev. Billy Graham and Steve McQueen crossed paths will be told in a new film shown in theaters later this month.

"Steve McQueen: American Icon," a faith-based documentary, chronicles the actor's "exodus from the world of fame and fortune and his little-known search for meaning, truth and significance," according to a news release.

It will recount how McQueen met Graham during his last days of life. The movie star died Nov. 7, 1980, during surgery in Mexico, holding the Bible Graham gave him just four days prior.

The documentary will be shown Sept. 28 at two locations in Asheville, according to the film's website: The Carolina and the Biltmore Grande Stadium.

Graham, 98, lives in Montreat. He spoke of his connection with McQueen in an interview with the Asheville Citizen about a month after the actor died.

"I wouldn't have recognized him," Graham said, according to the December 1980 article. "He looked like a little old man of 90, all wrinkled and shrunk. But his eyes sparkled above the oxygen mask he was using."

More: From 1980: Billy Graham recounts meeting with Steve McQueen before actor's death

Graham does not make an appearance in the documentary, but his Bible does, according to the Charlotte Observer.

Viewers see Graham's personal note: "To my friend Steve McQueen, May God bless you and keep you always. Billy Graham."

The documentary also includes an interview with McQueen's wife, Barbara Minty McQueen, who has Graham's Bible.

Tickets to see the documentary can be purchased at stevemcqueenmovie.com/tickets.