| American film actor James Dean became famous for the nonconformist characters he played during his brief but spectacular career in the 1950s. With his rebel image and his portrayal of confused, idealistic characters, Dean became a symbol of the so-called restless youth of the 1950s. His popularity only increased after his death in 1955. Dean died in an automobile crash after making only three movies as a leading actor: East of Eden (1955), Rebel Without a Cause (1955), and Giant (1956). |