El Paso and Juárez were in the national news spotlight 45 years ago, Nov. 7, 1980, when actor Steve McQueen died in Juárez while undergoing treatment for stomach cancer.

El Paso Times reporter Ramón Rentería was assigned to cover the story. Following is Rentería's account of the days reporting from an Oct. 31, 1980, column followed by his 1980 report on McQueen's death:

Movie star's death left impression on border

It's not often that a famous movie star dies on the border.

If you were hanging out in El Paso or a peaceful Juárez almost 30 years ago, you may recall that actor Steve McQueen died on Nov. 7, 1980, of heart failure at a Juárez clinic while recovering from surgery.

News of the actor's death shoved El Paso and Juárez into the national spotlight.

McQueen, often descri

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