Let’s take a look back at the life of Hollywood’s enigmatic lost star.
Born in Indiana in 1931, little Jimmy lost his mother to cancer when he was 9, perBiography.
His early tryst withsmall-screen workincluded appearances on series like “Family Theatre” and “Tales of Tomorrow.”
Nevertheless and luckily for Dean Kazan took a chance on him.
Believe it or not, the legend goes that Dean’s front teeth were fake.
His iconic Times Square photo was taken before he became a star
The year is 1955.
The otherwise lively iconic New York neighborhood is empty.
It’s raining and the 24-year-old lone youth, cigarette dangling from his mouth, looks discomposed.
Per Stock, it was “his way of saying goodbye to the past” (viaIndependent).
His first nomination in 1956 was also the Academy’sfirst official posthumous nominationof any actor in the category.
Meanwhile, both of his co-leads, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo, wonnominations.
Though his sexuality remains clouded in questions, Dean is hailed as a queer icon.
A book published in 2016 claimed the two men shared a fiery relationship that Brando dominated (perMetro).
James took a keen interest in racing and bongos
James Dean was the rebel racer of Hollywood.
Coupled with his cinematic oeuvre was his notorious taste for speed a passion that ultimately sealed his tragic end.
Dean had a diverse collection of motorcycles and race cars, according to hisofficial website.
PerSkoda Motorsport, Dean had intended to stretch the doomed Porsche’s legs at a race on October 1.
Far from the racetrack, on the other end of Dean’s varied interests, were bongo drums.
He had played the instrument since his schooling years in Fairmount, per hisofficial Facebook page.
Tragically, he wasn’t around to witness that legacy coming to pass.
While Dean’s passenger survived with injuries, Dean died instantly.
The two were traveling from Los Angeles to Salinas, where Dean was to take part in a race.
Only a few hours before the fatal crash, Dean was reportedly given a speeding ticket (viaExpress).
Starting in 1953, the show brought different artists on-screen each week for short skits.
James Dean loved to improvise
With or without a cause, James Dean truly was a rebel.
Even as his costars complained, Kazan told Dean to “keep it up.”
