Fifties Icon James Dean1
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[edit] James Bryon Dean
[edit] (February 8, 1931- September 30, 1955)
[edit] Autobiography
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 as a dental mechanic was transferred to California. There we lived, until the 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 that 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 visiting 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 motorcycle. I know a lot about them mechanically and I love to ride. I have been in a few races and 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 all of us. I hope I know where mine is, anyway, I'm after it. I don't mind telling you, Mr. Dubois, this is the hardest subject to write about considering the information one knows of himself, I ever attempted.
[edit] Facts
Birth Name: James Byron Dean
Nickname: Jimmy Dean
Birth Date: February 8, 1931
Birth Place:Seven Gables Apartments in Marion, IN
Death Date: September 30, 1955
Death Place: Cholame, CA
Reason for Death: Car acident
Burial Location: Park Cemetery in Fairmount, IN
Height: 5'10" (1.73m)
Weight: 150
Parents: Winton and Mildred Dean
High School Education: Fairmount High School, IN
College Education: Santa Monica Junior College and UCLA
Occupation: Actor
First Professional acting Job: Pepsi Commercial
[edit] Favorites
Hobbies: Painting, Writing, Bullfighting, Photography, Sculpting, Car Racing, Horse Riding and Playing the Bongos
Drink: Coffee
Ice Cream Flavor: Coffee and Raspberry
Music: A few genres and artists include: African Tribal Music, Afro-Cuban Songs and Dances, classical (Bartok, Stravinsky), Judy Garland, Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra.
Song: Billie Holiday's "When Your Lover Has Gone"
Album: Frank Sinatra's Songs for "Young Lovers"
[edit] Quotes
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today."
"The gratification comes in the doing, not in the results."
"To grasp the full significance of life is the actor's duty; to interpret it his problem; and to express it his dedication. Being an actor is the loneliest thing in the world. You 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."
[edit] Quotes about James
"Jim Dean and Elvis were the spokesmen for an entire generation. When I was in acting school in New York, years ago, there was a saying that if Marlon Brando changed the way people acted, then James Dean changed the way people lived. He was the greatest actor who ever lived. He was simply a genius." -- Martin Sheen
"When I worked with him on TV, I found him to be an intelligent young actor who seemed to live only for his work. He was completely dedicated, and although a shy person, he could hold a good conversation on many wide-ranging subjects." -- Ronald Reagan
"He seemed to capture that moment of youth, that moment where we're all desperately seeking to find ourselves." -- Dennis Hopper
"Actually, the person I related to was James Dean. I grew up with the Dean thing. Rebel Without A Cause had a very powerful effect on me." -- Al Pacino
[edit] Filmography
Fixed Bayonets! (1951)
Sailor Beware (1952)
Has Anybody Seen My Gal? (1952)
Trouble Along the Way (1953)
East of Eden (1955)
Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Giant (1956)
[edit] James Dean: The Icon
Over fifty years after the death of James Dean, he is considered to be one of America's greatest celebrity icons. But why James Dean? Especially considering his short career compared to many other major celebrities. Dean represents what every teenager wants to be and every adult looks back on when they were young, he truly was a "rebel without a cause." May American teens at the time and still today identify with the roles he played. His roles represented the typical teenager who is constantly being misunderstood, a recurring theme in 1950's film. Aside from his obvious good looks, it was the essence of Dean that captured Americans.
