Rebel Without A Clue

I have never understood the fascination with actor James Dean, who died in a car accident on this date in 1955.

Handsome?

Well, I suppose so-at least that’s what women have told me. In fact, his brand of “bad boy” is still the epitome of “cool”.

Talented?

Depends on who you ask, but the general consensus is that he was a decent actor. Without the looks, however, he probably wouldn’t have gotten a second glance- a trademark of Hollywood that affects untold thousands of people you’ve never heard of simply because their talent couldn’t overshadow that lack of cinematic/photogenic magic.

Dangerous?

I think this notion goes to the heart of his appeal. Maybe some lady out there can explain to me the attraction women have to “bad boys”. The polite and wholesome young man who is deferential to and doting towards a certain girl—is often snubbed in favor of a rude and self-centered roughneck who treats that same girl like you-know-what. Despite his lack of affection, attention or common courtesy, the girls forgive and forget. The lady ends up with a broken heart while the object of their affection is merely “misunderstood”.

Yeah, right….

Anyway, it is only an early and tragic death that will solidify your iconic status—and James Dean forever cemented his by crashing his Porsche 550 Spyder (nicknamed “Little Bastard”-how appropriate) on a California highway.

Ironic that Dean conducted this “interview” about—DRIVING SAFELY—check it out:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7u8bA_L6yU

Dean rose to stardom in 1955 in “East of Eden”-in the role of Cal Trask, reportedly beating out another young actor by the name of Paul Newman. His performance earned him a posthumous Academy Award nomination-the first time in Oscar history that an actor was nominated after his death. “Rebel Without A Cause” was also released in 1955-and Dean’s role as a rebellious teen defined him as the ultimate in disaffected youth.
His final film, “Giant” was released after his death in 1956-and he received his second posthumous Oscar nomination.

After all these years, his grave in Fairmount, Illinois is visited by thousands each year. Fans also flock to the site of the fatal accident in Cholame, California.

Like Marilyn Monroe, James Dean’s tragic death-especially because it came too soon—guarantees a form of immortality that a long and storied career cannot.

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