James Byron Dean was an American actor with a career that lasted five years. He is regarded 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). All three films have since been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
Dean in a publicity still for Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Dean in 1953 (aged 22)
Dean in East of Eden (1955)
Natalie Wood and Dean in Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Rebel Without a Cause is a 1955 American coming-of-age romantic drama film about emotionally confused suburban, middle-class teenagers. Filmed in the then recently introduced CinemaScope format and directed by Nicholas Ray, it offered both social commentary and an alternative to previous films depicting delinquents in urban slum environments. The film stars James Dean, Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo, Jim Backus, Ann Doran, Corey Allen and William Hopper. Dennis Hopper made his film debut in a small role.
Theatrical release poster
Jim Stark is in police custody.
Jim confronts his father while his mother watches.