James Dean died in September 30, 1955 at the age of 24, killed in a Porsche Spyder on his way to compete in a race meeting, victim of a banal traffic accident. He had been working in Hollywood for only 16 months and with just 3 films, East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause and Giant. His face and manner images dominate the genesis of pop culture in the 1960s. Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Steve McQueen, Jack Nicholson, Clint Eastwood, Martin Sheen, Robert De Niro, Nicolas Cage, Sean Penn and Johnny Depp: they are those who idolise and find themselves compared with James Dean. 
He appealed equally to girls and to boys, to men and women and when his 1st film, East of Eden, was released in March 10, 1955, young people all over the world recognised themselves in his portrayal of lost adolescene. He became, literally overnight, a superstar. The title of his second film, released a month after his death, exactly defined his image and statuse: Rebel without a Cause.
He died leaving that image uncompromised in any of his 3 roles. He had not wandered, as an actor must, beyong self-reality. He had portrayed himself, and the traumas and style of his life made the identification genuine. He had also quite consciously played to his image. "How can I lose?" he told a friend. "In one hand I got Marlon Brando yelling 'F*** you all', in the other Montgomery Clift asking 'Please help me'."
5 decade later he is either half-remembered as an 'insufferable little jerk' or still rvered as a distant myth, puzzled over by generations taht recognise the image but hardly know who he is. What cannot be dimissed so easily is the astonishing effect his behavioural acting had on young audiences and how, for better or for worse, that effect gave image and identity to the youth cultres about to liberate the western world. 
Pauline Kael said: "Because James Dean Died young, he is not just another actor who outlived his myth and become ordinary in stale role. He is the symbol of misunderstood youth."
Natalie Wood said: "All of us were touched by Jimmy, and he was touch by greatness." 
Ronald Reagen said: "...an intelligent young actor who seemed to live only for his work. He was completely dedicated..."
Martin Sheen said: "...there was a saying that Marlon Brando changed the way actors acted, James Dean changed the way people lived. I believe that."
John Lennon said: "Without Jimmy Dean the Beatles would never have existed." 
Jane Deacy said: "The producer told Jimmy he was too short. Jimmy told him to stand up. The producer came up to Jimmy's shoulders."
Julie Harris said: "He was a very brilliant actor and a luminous young man...an angel on earth"
In 1948, Roland Dubois, the principal of Fairmount High School, asked his students to write short autobiographical essays. One of them, 17 year old James Dean wrote 'My Case Study' read:
"I, James Byron Dean, was born February 8, 1931, Marion, Indiana. My parents, Winton Dean and Mildred Dean, formerly Mildred Wilson, and myself existed in the state of Indiana until I was six years of age. Dad's work with the government caused a change so Dad, a dental mechanic, was trasferred to California. There we lived until fourth year. Mom became ill and passed out of my life at the age of nine. I never knew the reason for Mom's death, in fact it still preys on my mind. I had always lived such a talented life. I studied violin, played in concerts, tap danced on theatre stages but most of all i like art, to mold and create things with my hands. I came back to Indiana to live with my uncle. I lost the dancing and violin but not the art. I think my life will be devoted to art and dramatics. And there are so many different fields of art it would be hard to foul up, and if I did there are so many different things to do - farm, sports, science, geology, coaching, teaching, music. I got it and I know if I better myself then there will be no match. A fellow must have confidence.
When living in California my young eyes experienced many things. It was also my luck to make three trips to Indiana, going and coming a different route each time. I have been in almost every state west of Indiana. I remember all. My hobby, or what i do in my spare time, is motor cycle. I know a lot about them mechanically and I love to ride. I have been in a few races and I have done well. I own a small cycle myself. When I'm not doing that I'm usually engaged in athletics, the heartbeat of every American boy. As one strives to make a goal in a game there should be a goal in this crazy world for each of us. I hope I know what mine is - anyway, I'm after it.
I don't mind telly you, Mr. Dubois, this is the hardest subject to write about, considering the information one knows of himself, I ever attempted."
Mr DuBois couldn't have realized at the time that this essay, with its confident, earnest, teenage handwritting, would be the testament of the school's most famous alumnus. It is preserved, and displayed in the Fiarmount Historical Museum in rural Indiana. James Dean emerged from that American heartland to become a key iconographic figure of the 20th Century - his immortality secured by early death.
"He is not our hero beacuse he was perfect, but because he perfectly represented the damaged but beautiful soul of our time..."
JAMES DEAN MEMORABLE QUOTE
"Being an actor is the lonelist thing in the world, Your are all alone with your concentration and imagination, and that's all you have. Being a good actor isn't easy. Being a man is even harder. I want to be both before I'm done."
"I used to fly around quite a bit, but you know, I took a lot of unneccessary chances on the highway. Then I started racing, and now when I drive on the highways I'm extra cautious 'cause no one knows what they're doing half the time. You don't know what this guy's gonna do or that one. I find myself being very coutious on the highway. I don't have the urge to speed on the highway. People say racing is dangerous. But I'll take my cahnces on the track any day than on a highway."
"Take it wasy driving. The life you might save might be mine."
"Take a good look at me. You may not get the chance again."
"I'm gonna show you! I'm gonna be great."
"If a man can bridge the gap between life and death, I mean, if he can live on after he's dead, then maybe he was a great man."
"Parents are often at fault, but the kids have some work to do too."
"How can you measure acting in inches?" criticized for being 5ft 8inch.
"At about 12 or 13 I found out what I really was useful for - to live."
"I...became close to nature, and am now able to appreciate the beauty with which this world is endowed."
"I had a job at a military academy...Couldn't ask for better weather, we were surrounded by mountains and orange grove, really God's country."
"So long. I think I'll let the Spyder out..."
"You've got to live fast, death comes early."
be the limelight.
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