Salvatore Mineo Jr. was an American actor. He was best known for his role as John "Plato" Crawford in the drama film Rebel Without a Cause (1955), which earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor at age 17, making him the fifth-youngest nominee in the category.
Mineo in 1973
Mineo (left) with Sue George and John Saxon in a publicity still photo for Rock, Pretty Baby (1956).
Mineo in 1973, photographed by Allan Warren
Footstone for Sal Mineo and his brother Michael in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, New York State
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.