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• Actor James Dean became a cultural icon following his tragic early death in a car accident in 1955.

  Though he starred in only three films in his short movie career, his influence is still felt in pop culture.

  
  

• Fast Facts:

  1. James Byron Dean born on February 8, 1931 in Marion, Indiana
  2. June 1951 Drops out of college to act professionally
  3. June 1951 Works as parking attendant at CBS Studios
  4. July 1952 Accepted into New York's Actors Studio
  5. December 3, 1953 Debuts on Broadway in See the Jaguar
  6. February 16, 1954 Screen tests for role of Cal in East of Eden
  7. March 30, 1955 Filming of Rebel Without a Cause starts at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles
  8. June 6, 1955 Joins cast and crew of Giant in Marfa, Texas.
  9. Dies in car wreck on September 30, 1955, near Cholame, CA
  10. Twice nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor

• Life and Career

  James Dean was born in Marion, Indiana but moved to Santa Monica, California when he was six. His mother died of cancer when he was nine and Dean was subsequently sent by his father to live with his aunt and uncle, Ortense and Marcus Winslow, back in Fairmount, Indiana.

  He attended Santa Monica College but dropped out prior to graduation to pursue a career in acting. After limited success, Dean got his big break, landing a lead role in Elia Kazan's East of Eden. Soon after shooting East of Eden, Dean starred in Rebel Without a Cause and then Giant, which would be the last performance of his career.

  On September 30, 1955 Dean was involved in a fatal car accident. He was nominated posthumously for Academy Award for his performances in both Giant and East of Eden.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Elizabeth Taylor | Natalie Wood | Nicholas Ray | Rock Hudson | Dennis Hopper | John Steinbeck | Rebel Without a Cause | East of Eden | Marilyn Monroe | Martin Landau

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