A rising star in Hollywood, James Dean’s death on September 30, 1955 sent shockwaves across America.
Dean was a rebel who took the nation by storm during the conservative 1950s. A New York Times article dismissed Dean as “an honor graduate of the black leather jacket and motorcycle school of acting and living it up.” Ironically, that’s exactly what appealed to his youthful following. Dean symbolized the frustration of teenagers everywhere.
He was born James Byron Dean on February 8, 1931, in Marion, Indiana. Dean’s family moved to Santa Monica, California, when he was six, but when his mother died, he was sent Fairmount, Indiana, to live with his aunt in a Quaker household. Dean was a bright student, popular, and an athlete. After graduating high school, he moved back to California, briefly majoring in pre-law at the University of California, Los Angeles, before changing his major to acting. After entering an acting workshop, he left school to pursue acting full time.
Dean’s first television appearance was in a Pepsi commercial. His first speaking role was as John the Apostle in Hill Number One, an Easter television drama about the resurrection of Jesus. Dean then had bit parts in three films before scoring his first Broadway starring role. Dean relocated to New York City where he appeared in several TV shows. His performance in The Immortalist generated interest from Hollywood.
Dean’s big break came in East of Eden. He became an overnight star after its release in March of 1955. A special celebrity preview was held on Broadway with Marilyn Monroe as a guest usherette. Dean, who had begun filming Rebel Without a Cause, skipped the premiere. The film made Variety’s list of top grossing films by the end of the month and would eventually reach number one. Dean received a Best Actor nomination, one of only four actors to be nominated in the category for a first film.
Dean then portrayed an emotionally confused teenager in Rebel Without a Cause. Although parents were disturbed by the violence in the film, teens identified with the timeless story of a teenager’s struggle to become an adult. The film was released one month after his death and became synonymous with Dean.
Giant was Dean’s third and final movie. Once again Dean portrayed a sullen young man, tortured by envy and unattainable love. Giant received ten Academy Award nominations when it was released in 1956.
A few days after he finished filming for Giant, Dean drove his silver Porsche 550 Spyder roadster to a race in Salinas, California. As he was driving, a college student pulled in front of him at the intersection of Highways 41 and 46 near Cholame. Dean was unable to stop in time (it’s believed he was speeding), and crashed into the other car. James Dean was dead at the age of 24.
James Dean lived fast, died young, and was idolized by many. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 and was tanked the 18th best male movie star of Hollywood’s Golden Age by the American Film Institute.
| FREE printable This Day in History album pages Download a PDF of today’s article. Get a binder or other supplies to create your This Day in History album. |
Discover what else happened on This Day in History.
It; has been reported that Jimmy Dean wag going about 100 miles an hour when he slammed into a driver making a legal left turn in Chalome, California. He had already received a speeding ticket that morning, but apparently didn’t get the message. What a waste.
Jimmy ?
0ops…make that James Dean. Not Jimmy Dean, the sausage maker.
I love this !
My Dad was acquainted with the Dean family and told the story that while visiting their farm I rode on his dog. I was too young to remember it myself.
We were 13. My friend Judy and I went to the movie, Judy’s dad drove us. I closed the car door on Judy’s hand. Didn’t tell dad. Bought a cola, poured the cola out , stuck Judy’s broken fingers in the ice and watched the movie. We were not going to miss that movie….no matter what! Oh to be a teenager again.
Why not drink the coke out with a straw which I am positive came with it. Why waste it ? Very wasteful.
Perhaps the lesson we all can gain from the legacy and good life of James Dean is to stop texting while driving, pay attention, and drive safely. God Bless James Dean, his family, and fans.
Your re-counting of his three films reminded me of another actor – Montgomery Clift who, like Dean seemed to get depression filled roles. It would have been nice to see how far his career would have taken him. Still enjoying your days in History. Keep it up.
He symbolized the rebellious teenager better than anyone. How good an actor he was is debatable.
What isn’t in dispute is the charisma and lasting effect, which remains to this day.
Would he have been as great an actor as he was had he not died at such a young age? My brother died at age 22 in a car accident,so I can relate to the swift and sudden grief that I never completely recovered from 62 years later.
I am 76 years old . James Dean was my hero . He was a good actor . He had charisma and character .
Giant was his best movie because , he went from a young man to an elderly gentleman and played the parts very well . But , what a waste . Speed still kills as it did to him . I do wonder what would it be like for him and his fans if he were still alive and had his movie career ? I do wish we had more people like him in our society today . Do we have any integrity left today ? Like they say , ” If you don’t stand for what you believe in , you will fall for anything .”
I’ve had the opportunity to watch one of his movies, namely East of Eden…..what a great story….he and the cast…..super…..anyway y,,,, Dean was a rebel without a cause
A hero from the Golden Age of Hollywood!
They don’t make ’em like that any more!
The first reply mentioning Jimmy Dean and then corrected to James Dean reminded me of David Essex’ song “Rock On” in which both Jimmy and James are mentioned. It took me a year to catch that.