Why Would Dylan Borrow a Jacket from James Dean?
Most remembered as the rebel without a cause in the film with the same name, James Dean is the embodiment of rebellion and alienated youth that fits well with Bob Dylan’s impact on American music in the same period. Portraying a rebellious and fragile teenager in “Rebel without a Cause” (1955), Dean became the symbol of youth in disarray and shot to stardom.
American actor James Dean (1931 – 1955) holds American actor Natalie Wood (1938 – 1981) in a scene from ‘Rebel Without A Cause,’ directed by Nicholas Ray, 1955. (Photo by Warner Bros./Courtesy of Getty Images)
Dying tragically and prematurely in a car accident at the beginning of his success contributed to the creation of the “Dean myth” and his entry into the pantheon of American cinema. Dean became the first actor to receive a nomination for the Best Actor Oscar Award posthumously and win it. He is also one of the few actors (five in total) to be nominated in this category for their first film role. Dean is also known for his movies “ East of Eden ” (1955) and “ Giant ” (1956), which were released posthumously.