55 Facts About James Dean

James Dean became one of the most influential figures in Hollywood in the 1950s, despite a career that lasted only five years.

James Dean was killed in a car accident at the age of 24 in 1955, leaving him a lasting symbol of rebellion, youthful defiance, and the restless spirit.

James Dean was born on February 8,1931, in Marion, Indiana, the only child of Mildred Marie Wilson and Winton James Dean.

Six years after his father had left farming to become a dental technician, James Dean moved with his family to Santa Monica, California.

James Dean was enrolled at Brentwood Public School in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles but transferred soon afterward to the McKinley Elementary School.

The family spent several years there, and by all accounts, James Dean was very close to his mother.

In 1938, James Dean's mother was suddenly struck with acute stomach pain and quickly began to lose weight.

James Dean died of uterine cancer when Dean was nine years old.

Unable to care for his son, James Dean's father sent him to live with his aunt and uncle, Ortense and Marcus Winslow, on their farm in Fairmount, Indiana, where he was raised in their Quaker household.

James Dean's father served in World War II and later remarried.

James Dean's overall performance in school was exceptional, and he was a popular student.

James Dean played on the baseball and varsity basketball teams, studied drama, and competed in public speaking through the Indiana High School Forensic Association.

James Dean enrolled in Santa Monica College and majored in pre-law.

James Dean transferred to University of California, Los Angeles for one semester and changed his major to drama.

James Dean pledged to the Sigma Nu fraternity but was never initiated.

In 1950, James Dean made his television debut in a Pepsi commercial.

James Dean quit college to act full-time and was cast in his first speaking part, as John the Apostle in Hill Number One, an Easter television special dramatizing the Resurrection of Jesus.

James Dean worked at the widely filmed Iverson Movie Ranch in the Chatsworth area of Los Angeles during the production of the program, for which a replica of the tomb of Jesus was built on location at the ranch.

Brackett opened doors for James Dean and helped him land his first starring role on Broadway in See the Jaguar.

In July 1951, James Dean appeared on Alias Jane Doe, which was produced by Brackett.

James Dean appeared in episodes of several CBS television series, The Web, Studio One, and Lux Video Theatre, before gaining admission to the Actors Studio to study method acting under Lee Strasberg.

James Dean's career picked up, and he performed in further episodes of such early 1950s television shows as Kraft Television Theatre, Robert Montgomery Presents, The United States Steel Hour, Danger, and General Electric Theater.

One early role, for the CBS series Omnibus in the episode "Glory in the Flower," saw James Dean portraying the type of disaffected youth he would later portray in Rebel Without a Cause.

James Dean met with Steinbeck, who did not like the moody, complex young man personally but thought him to be perfect for the part.

James Dean was cast in the role and, on April 8,1954, left New York City and headed for Los Angeles to begin shooting.

The best-known improvised sequence of the film occurs when Cal's father rejects his gift of $5,000, money Cal earned by speculating in beans before the US became involved in World War I Instead of running away from his father as the script called for, Dean instinctively turned to Massey and, in a gesture of extreme emotion, lunged forward and grabbed him in a full embrace, crying.

In recognition of his performance in East of Eden, James Dean was nominated posthumously for the 1956 Academy Awards as Best Actor in a Leading Role of 1955, the first official posthumous acting nomination in Academy Awards history.

James Dean quickly followed up his role in Eden with a starring role as Jim Stark in Rebel Without a Cause, a film that would prove to be hugely popular among teenagers.

James Dean received his second posthumous Best Actor Academy Award nomination for his role in Giant at the 29th Academy Awards in 1957 for films released in 1956.

James Dean met Angeli while she was shooting The Silver Chalice on an adjoining Warner lot, and they exchanged items of jewelry as love tokens.

Gossip columnists reported that James Dean watched the wedding from across the road on his motorcycle, even gunning the engine during the ceremony.

Angeli, who later divorced Damone and then her second husband, the Italian film composer Armando Trovajoli, was said by friends in the last years of her life to claim that James Dean was the love of her life.

James Dean died from an overdose of barbiturates in 1971 at the age of 39.

James Dean was seen with Dean in his sports cars and was with him on the day he bought the car he died in.

In 1974, a documentary titled James Dean Remembered highlighted significant moments from Dean's career in film and television and featured interviews with notable figures such as Sammy Davis Jr.

James Dean emphasized that, rather than embracing this persona, Dean had a profound desire for "peace and intellectual growth".

Natalie Wood offered insights into James Dean's behavior, suggesting it stemmed from an emotional need for connection rather than mere rebellion.

James Dean noted that he sought love and attention, expressing a desire for others to listen to him instead of rejecting him.

In 1954, James Dean became interested in developing a career in motorsport.

James Dean purchased various vehicles after filming for East of Eden had concluded, including a Triumph Tiger T110 and a Porsche 356.

James Dean achieved first place in the novice class and second place at the main event.

James Dean's racing continued in Bakersfield a month later, where he finished first in his class and third overall.

James Dean hoped to compete in the Indianapolis 500, but his busy schedule made it impossible.

James Dean was unable to finish the competition due to a blown piston.

James Dean had finished shooting his scenes, and the movie was in post-production when he decided to race again.

Wutherich, who had encouraged James Dean to drive the car from Los Angeles to Salinas to break it in, accompanied James Dean in the Porsche.

James Dean's funeral was held on October 8,1955, at the Fairmount Friends Church in Fairmount, Indiana.

In 1960, James Dean received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

All three of James Dean's films have been preserved in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

James Dean's appeal has been attributed to the public's need for someone to stand up for the disenfranchised young of the era, and to the air of androgyny that he projected onscreen.

James Dean has been a touchstone of many television shows, films, books, and plays.

Shah had an ephemeral but prolific impact as an actor, was a major enthusiast of fashion and automobiles, died when he was 24, the exact same age as James Dean, and has an enduring legacy.

The persona James Dean projected in his movies, especially Rebel Without a Cause, influenced Elvis Presley and many other musicians who followed, including the American rockers Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent.

James Dean himself listened to music ranging from African tribal music to the modern classical music of Stravinsky and Bartok, as well as to contemporary singers such as Frank Sinatra.

James Dean has been recognized by TIME as one of the "ALL TIME 100 Fashion Icons", highlighting his lasting impact on style and pop culture.