Steve McQueen (2012)

Brando may have had better acting chops, and Newman was certainly less of a bastard. But Steve McQueen will always remain his generation's ideal of the red-blooded, blue-collar American alpha male. In William Claxton's collection of breezy yet intimate behind-the-scenes photos of the brooding star of Bullitt and The Great Escape, you'll rarely catch a glimpse of McQueen without either (a) a cigarette, (b) a pair of badass shades, or (c) a souped-up hot rod or motorcycle. So it's Claxton's achievement that when we do see McQueen without his boy toys, he captures the unguarded shy kid inside. One extra note: If you want a really personal glimpse of McQueen, turn to page 145 for a shot of li'l Stevie. A-