Steve McQueen might have been recognized for being a Hollywood powerful man who feuded with the likes of Yul Brynner and Paul Newman.

Yet The Great Escape star had an enormous admiration for John Wayne, having grown up watching the Western legend.

McQueen’s biographer Marshall Terrill recalled: “McQueen drastically revered the Duke and held him up because the gold commonplace for film stars.”

The pair enjoyed the occasional cheeky antics together, including one time at the 1966 Golden Globes.

Hanging out backstage waiting to go on, Wayne realised he didn’t have time to find the restroom so began peeing against a wall or on a curtain.

McQueen spotted Duke relieving himself and couldn’t stop laughing before joining him for a leak.

According to The Great Escape star’s widow Barbara Minty, he would remember this encounter with a “huge smile”.

And now John Wayne’s estate have shared a picture of the two late stars hugging, with a sweet line by McQueen on Duke.

The post reads: “‘Sometimes kids ask me what a pro is. I just point to Duke.’ — Steve McQueen⁣

“Happy National Day of Encouragement! John Wayne and Steve McQueen at a Hollywood get together in 1971.

“Day of Encouragement is the time to acknowledge the significance of coming collectively and inspiring others.”