Early Life
Dean was raised by relatives in Indiana after his mother's death, studied acting at UCLA and then at the Actors Studio in New York.
Career
He appeared in East of Eden (1955), Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956). He earned posthumous Oscar nominations for Best Actor for East of Eden and Giant, the first actor to receive two posthumous acting nominations.
Legacy
Dean died in a car crash at age 24 in September 1955, before Rebel Without a Cause and Giant were released. His early death fueled a lasting cult of youth and rebellion.
Sources and further reading
Last updated: 2026-09-24