The Story of Rebel Icon James Dean
L'OFFICIEL celebrates the late James Dean's 92nd birthday with a retrospective on the late icon's life and career.
Handsome and damned, 92 years after his birth, James Dean continues to bear the moniker of a Hollywood legend, captivating the public with his films and fascinating story. A lover of cars and speed, the Hollywood actor suffered a fatal car accident on September 30, 1955 that claimed the young actor's life at the age of 24.
Often seen in a white t-shirt, jeans, and a leather jacket—a uniform that defined the '50s style icon—Dean's eternally young and rebellious history comes to life throughout his filmography. His role in Nicholas Ray's Rebel Without a Cause became a symbol in modern history for recounting the growing rebellion of teenagers after World War II. Controversial and mysterious, Dean was subject to many scandals, as well as being a heartthrob to countless women. Behind his blond hair, square face, and always-burning cigarette hide the mysteries of a timeless charm.
In the drama Texas-set drama alongside Elizabeth Taylor, Dean's look consisted of a shirt, waistcoat, denim jeans supported by a proudly exhibited belt, suede gloves, and the signature cowboy hat that appears throughout the film.
Rebel Without a Cause is James Dean's most famous film, inspired by psychiatrist Robert Lindner's 1944 book of the same name. His starring role in the film became the archetype of the men of the 1950s, a symbol for the rebellion of post-WWII teenagers. His character Jim Stark's ensemble—white t-shirt, red bomber, and jeans—became synonymous with Dean's career and the mythology surrounding his legacy. The film was released in theaters a month after his death.
In East of Eden, Dean sports workwear dungarees, checked shirts turned up at the sleeves, and an iconic cream-colored V-neck sweater worn over a shirt and, of course, a pair of denim pants.
For his performance as Cal Trask, Dean earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Racing cars played an important role in Dean's life. The last car he owned was a Porsche 550 Spyder, baptized with the number 130 and the name "Little Bastard." This was the car in which James Dean lost his life in a tragic and sudden accident in Cholame, California.
One aspect of Dean's life that never made it to screen was his alleged bisexuality. Though he was reported to have had flings with Marilyn Monroe, Pier Angeli, and many other actresses, Tomorrow Never Comes, the book by Darwin Porter and Danforth Prince, recounts the clandestine relationship between Dean and Marlon Brando. It's reported that their affair remained secret at the time in light of negative public sentiment for queer relationships in the 1950s. According to the book, Brando called Dean "puppy dog" because he spent hours outside his apartment desperately waiting to be invited in.
