James Dean

James Dean

1931-02-08 – 1955-09-30 (age 24) Marion, Indiana, USA
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Biography

James Byron Dean (February 8, 1931 – September 30, 1955) was an American actor. He is remembered as a cultural icon of teenage disillusionment and social estrangement, as expressed in the title of his most celebrated film, Rebel Without a Cause (1955), in which he starred as troubled teenager Jim Stark. The other two roles that defined his stardom were loner Cal Trask in East of Eden (1955) and surly ranch hand Jett Rink in Giant (1956).

After his death in a car crash on September 30, 1955, Dean became the first actor to receive a posthumous Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in East of Eden. Upon receiving a second nomination for his role in Giant the following year, Dean became the only actor to have had two posthumous acting nominations. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him the 18th best male movie star of Golden Age Hollywood in AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars list.

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Known For

Giant
Giant

1956

as Jett Rink

Rebel Without a Cause
Rebel Without a Cause

1955

as Jim Stark

East of Eden
East of Eden

1955

as Cal Trask

Tab Hunter Confidential
Tab Hunter Confidential

2015

as Self (archive)

Has Anybody Seen My Gal?
Has Anybody Seen My Gal?

1952

as Youth at Soda Fountain (uncredited)

Hollywood Heaven: Tragic Lives, Tragic Deaths
Deadline - U.S.A.
Deadline - U.S.A.

1952

as Press Boy (uncredited)

Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes
Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes

2024

as Self (archive footage)

A Star Is Born World Premiere
Trouble Along the Way
Trouble Along the Way

1953

as Football Spectator (uncredited)

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

1983

as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Fixed Bayonets!
Fixed Bayonets!

1951

as Doggie (uncredited)

The Fabulous Allan Carr
The Fabulous Allan Carr

2017

as Self (archive)

Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed
Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed

2023

as Self (archive footage)

Sailor Beware
Sailor Beware

1952

as Boxing Opponent's Second (uncredited)

Death In Hollywood
Death Scenes 2
Death Scenes 2

1992

as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

The James Dean Story
The James Dean Story

1957

as Self (archive footage)

Faces of Death VII