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James Dean

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One of the many enduring stars to emerge from the 1950s, James Dean appeared in only three films before his death in 1955: East of Eden (1955), Rebel without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956). The latter two films earned him Oscar nominations, and today he remains one of the screen’s most famous personifications of troubled adolescence and raw emotional power. 

Featuring highlights from the Margaret Herrick Library.

 

This color promotional portrait of James Dean is one of the many images that made him a familiar face for future generations.
James Dean
James Dean and Julie Harris were both method actors (using psychology and immersion for their characters), which contrasted with the more classical approach of actor Raymond Massey on East of Eden.
Method acting
Richard Davalos, James Dean and Jo Van Fleet (who won an Oscar for her role) in East of Eden. This image and others of Davalos were used for several albums by The Smiths.
East of Eden
The actors enjoy a benefit dinner at Ciro’s in 1955.
Ciro’s '55
James Dean takes a trip to the barbershop in this photograph by Dennis Stock.
barbershop
James Dean
Rebel without a Cause
One of the more unusual posters for Rebel without a Cause can be found in this Polish design.
Rebel in Poland
James Dean’s costar in Rebel without a Cause was also nominated and greets James Cagney at the Academy Awards.
Sal Mineo
James Dean’s signature red jacket in Rebel without a Cause has since become one of the most famous costumes in movie history. The color red also plays a major role throughout the film.
The red jacket
As seen in this Variety review, Rebel without a Cause was part of a string of troubled youth movies popular in the mid-1950s.
Variety review of Rebel
The actor enjoys quiet time in this portrait by photographer Sanford Roth.
Hello kitty
The filmmaker consults with James Dean and Natalie Wood during production of Rebel without a Cause. The film was started in black and white but switched to color and CinemaScope early in production.
Director Nicholas Ray
James Dean takes a moment with a Porsche 356 Speedster.
Porsche 356 Speedster
James Dean’s immediate stardom after East of Eden became a major selling point when Rebel without a Cause opened in theaters later the same year.
Iconic poster
James Dean shows off his musical side with a conga drum.
Conga drum
This fan letter proposed a monument after his death
Support from Hedda
James Dean takes a smoke break with director Nicholas Ray while making Rebel without a Cause. The film was added to the U.S. Library of Congress’s National Film Registry in 1990.
with director Nicholas Ray
This promotional shot for Rebel without a Cause became one of the most familiar images associated with the film.
promotional shot
James Dean and Natalie Wood take a break while shooting the deserted house sequence.
James Dean and Natalie Wood
Director Nicholas Ray, boxer and fight consultant Mushy Callahan and James Dean have a laugh while making Rebel without a Cause.
Behind the scenes
The actor enjoys some reading time while filming the rumble scene atop the Griffith Observatory in Rebel without a Cause.
atop the Griffith Observatory
Newspaper and magazine ads for Rebel without a Cause featured a different design from the familiar theatrical poster art.
Print ad
Rebel without a Cause was shot in numerous locations around Los Angeles, most focused around the Hollywood area.
Locations for Rebel
Both East of Eden and Rebel without a Cause went through revisions before being approved by the Production Code. As seen in this letter, those changes could be demanded throughout the entire film.
Production Code revisions
Concerns over juvenile delinquency resulted in some school boards having a dramatic reaction to the release of Rebel without a Cause.
School board reaction
Rebel without a Cause has been reissued in theaters many times over the years, as seen in this striking Italian poster.
Italian poster
James Dean poses for a publicity photograph in 1954.
1954
James Dean practices lassoing on the set of Giant, which earned him a Supporting Actor nomination.
Giant
This wardrobe test shot for Giant depicts the middle-aged version of James Dean’s character, Texan farmhand-turned-millionaire Jett Rink.
wardrobe test shot
Both actors from Rebel without a Cause teamed up with James Dean a second time in Giant.
Giant
The two actors during the production of Giant, during which they became close friends and confidants.
Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean
The famed columnist delivered a radio statement about James Dean after his death; she had been a staunch promoter of his work since East of Eden.
Hedda Hopper's radio statement
James Dean tributes after his passing included this poem written by a fan and sent to columnist Hedda Hopper.
Tributes
The death of James Dean resulted in an outpouring of tributes including this Jack Hammer song.
“The Ballad of James Dean"
The letters from James Dean fans after his death even included the secretary of Elia Kazan, director of East of Eden.
Fan letters

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