James Dean: Our Favorite Rebel

It was 1951, and Dean was lucky enough to get work. He was accepted to the Actor's Studio and began to hone his craft and learn the Method technique of acting that he used in all three films. Over the next four years, not only did he work as a busboy in the theater district, but he got better-than-bit parts on television shows.

He was also cast in the Broadway production of The Immoralist, where he was spotted by film director Elia Kazan. Kazan spotted the extraordinary talent and charisma of this young actor, and signed him to his first starring role, in East Of Eden, adapted from John Steinbeck's novel of the same name. In 1955 he was also cast to play Cal Stark in Rebel Without a Cause, co-starring Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo. While Eden was in post-production, Dean flew to Hollywood to film Rebel. Just before Eden premiered to much adulation and praise, Dean splurged on a new car--a Porsche. He also entered in his first care race in Palm Springs.

When Eden premiered, James Dean was a bona fide star. While Eden was still doing well at the box office, Dean wrapped production on Rebel, and began taking part in a few more car races before he had to report to Texas to film his latest project, Giant, co-starring Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson. When filming wrapped he flew back to Hollywood--grateful to be back among civilization after the stark environment of Marfa, Texas.

In the course of one year, Dean had made three quality movies. Eden had brought him much acclaim, and people. In mid-September Rebel was sneak-previewed and the became a critic's darling. He had finished work on Giant, but director George Stevens wanted Dean to do some last minute voiceovers for some scenes appearing at the end of the film. But Dean felt that he had done what needed to be done on the picture, and only wanted to race cars.

On September 30, 1955, 24-year-old James Dean was driving a Porsche Spyder 550 on his way to Salinas, CA where he planned to take part in a car race. He was traveling about 100 mph near Paso Robles, CA when he suddenly lost control as he braked to avoid a collision with another car. When the Porsche slammed into a telephone pole alongside the road, Dean was killed instantly. In a sad, ironic twist,

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