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The Vampire Diaries actor Steven R McQueen assured fans he has begun working out again, amid a social media debate over his return to the public eye.
McQueen, 38, whose grandfather was the iconic 'King of Cool' Steve McQueen, achieved fame in his own right as the dashing and musclebound Jeremy Gilbert on the first six seasons of the fantasy series from 2009 until 2015.
In recent years, however, he retreated from the spotlight, to the point he has not acted onscreen since a small Western called The Warrant in 2020.
Last weekend he appeared at a convention in Paris called the Forever Mystic Falls Fan Meet and went viral for the changes in his appearance.
Online reactions were polarized, ranging from flabbergasted posts such as: 'Damn, he was so ripped, what happened?' to those who defended McQueen with comments like: 'The shocked people who think someone can gain weight or age.'
In the wake of the discourse, he shared a selfie to his Instagram page Thursday accompanied by the caption: 'Back to the gym. Any music suggestions?'
The Daily Mail has contacted a representative for McQueen for comment.
The Vampire Diaries actor Steven R McQueen assured fans he has begun working out again, posting a selfie Thursday and writing that he was going 'Back to the gym'
McQueen, 38, whose grandfather was the iconic 'King of Cool' Steve McQueen, achieved fame in his own right as the dashing and musclebound Jeremy Gilbert on the fantasy series
At the height of the fame on The Vampire Diaries, he revealed that he had been inspired to become an actor by his superstar ancestor; pictured on the series
He had not posted to Instagram since two days after Christmas 2021, when he uploaded a pair of albums promoting the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.
Earlier that year, he posted about his work in Africa with the Thirst Project, which has the aim of providing drinking water to areas where it is in short supply.
At the Forever Mystic Falls Fan Meet last week, McQueen was able to mingle with his The Vampire Diaries co-stars, including Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley.
His reappearance after years of privacy was met with trolling remarks on X like: 'Jesus, he was the most handsome of the series. Time is cruel.'
Others were more supportive, with one writing: 'He still looks very handsome and the same person...just more meat to love..people like to judge and so unkind.'
McQueen, whose career in the 2010s included roles on Chicago PD and Chicago Fire, has not offered any public comment on his subsequent withdrawal from acting.
His last screen credit is The Warrant, a 2020 Western starring McQueen and Neal McDonagh, 60, as a father and son who become lawmen after the US Civil War.
Born in Los Angeles in 1988, McQueen was named after his grandfather, the star of films like The Great Escape, The Getaway, The Magnificent Seven and Bullitt.
Last weekend he appeared at a convention in Paris called the Forever Mystic Falls Fan Meet and went viral for the changes in his appearance
At the Forever Mystic Falls Fan Meet last week, McQueen was able to mingle with his The Vampire Diaries co-stars, including Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley
McQueen, whose career in the 2010s included roles on Chicago PD and Chicago Fire, has not offered any public comment on his subsequent withdrawal from acting; pictured 2014
At the height of the fame on The Vampire Diaries, he revealed that he had been inspired to become an actor by his superstar ancestor, who died in 1980.
'I started watching movies my grandpa did, and I saw what an impact they made on the world,' he said in 2014. 'That's when I said: "Hey, I want to do that too."'
In another interview, he confessed his grandfather's work also 'put a little competitive spirit, I feel, in me than I wanted to do different he roles than he would, and kind of march my own path so I can pull my way out of that shadow,' via Dave FM.
McQueen became engaged to model Alexandra Silva in January 2018, but by that May he disclosed they had 'called' the wedding 'off,' via Us Weekly.
Two years ago, he suffered the death of his father Chad McQueen, a race car driver who also acted in such movies as the original The Karate Kid.
Chad was only 63 when he succumbed to progressive organ failure that resulted from an injury he had sustained years prior, his attorney informed TMZ.
Born in Los Angeles in 1988, McQueen was named after his grandfather, the star of films like The Great Escape (pictured), The Getaway, The Magnificent Seven and Bullitt
When he died at his ranch in Palm Desert, he was said to have been surrounded by his children and by his wife Jeanie, whom he married in 1993.
Chad's children with Jeanie, Chase and Madison, hailed him as a 'loving father' who led a 'life filled with love and dedication' in their statement on his death.
'His passion for racing not only highlighted his exceptional talent but also served as a way to honor his father’s legacy, a testament to the values instilled in him,' they said.
'He passed his passion, knowledge and dedication down to us, and we will continue not only his legacy but our grandfather’s as well.'
English (US) ·