James Dean Born on February 8, 1931, in Marion, Indiana, James Dean was the son of Winton and Mildred Dean. He originally moved to Los Angeles with his family when he was five. But after the death of his mother, Dean was sent back to Indiana, to be raised by his aunt and uncle on their farm.

Following his high school graduation, Dean decided to move back to California to attend Santa Monica Junior College and then UCLA. James Whitmore became his mentor, putting him in commercials, films, and plays.

At Whitmore’s recommendation, Dean moved across country to New York, in pursuit of strengthening his acting career. At first working as a busboy, he managed to get himself into several television shows and then in a small part on Broadway.

Finally, after many attempts, Dean was accepted as a member of the Actor’s Studio, a free school for top-notch actors that was very selective. Shortly after, the actor returned to Hollywood to continue his film work. From 1954 into the next year, Dean was rapidly becoming a national icon. Three films in one year sealed his fame, in Hollywood.

To celebrate his success, Dean bought a Porsche, in March, and began competing in auto races. Sadly, on September 30, 1955, Dean was on his way to one of those races when he crashed on the highway and died. Dean did not live to enjoy his two Academy Award nominations later that year. The nation mourned his loss and made a place for him as a legend.