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.

Photos

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

Deadline - U.S.A.
Deadline - U.S.A.

1952

as Press Boy (uncredited)

Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror
Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror

2025

as Self (archive footage)

Sailor Beware
Sailor Beware

1952

as Boxing Opponent's Second (uncredited)

Trouble Along the Way
Trouble Along the Way

1953

as Football Spectator (uncredited)

Tab Hunter Confidential
Tab Hunter Confidential

2015

as Self (archive)

Fixed Bayonets!
Fixed Bayonets!

1951

as Doggie (uncredited)

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

2024

as Self (archive footage)

Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln

1952

as William Scott

The Fabulous Allan Carr
The Fabulous Allan Carr

2017

as Self (archive)

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

1983

as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

The Thief
The Thief

1955

as Fernand Lagarde

Paul Newman: The Restless
Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed
Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed

2023

as Self (archive footage)

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

1952

as Youth at Soda Fountain (uncredited)

Hollywood Scandals and Tragedies
Hollywood Scandals and Tragedies

1988

as (archive footage) (uncredited)

Hello Actors Studio
Hello Actors Studio

1988

as Self (archive footage)

A Star Is Born World Premiere