American Icon
In his next film, Dean played as the agonized teenager Jim Stark in 1955’s “ Rebel Without a Cause ” the film that defined his image in American culture. He played with Sal Mineo and Natalie Wood in the movie directed by Nicholas Ray. The movie focused on the emotional alienation of three teenagers and the distressing drama that results from having a growing rivalry.
American actors Natalie Wood and James Dean with director Nicholas Ray on the set of his movie Rebel Without a Cause. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)
Dean was next cast in the movie “ Giant ” (1956), where he played a supporting role to Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson. “ Giant ” was the last movie of James Dean.