College Life
Dean stayed with his dad for a short time when he attended Santa Monica College. But in 1950, he transferred to UCLA. While he was a college student, Dean frequently carried a dictionary around. He wanted to have intellectual conversations, but he knew he didn’t have the vocabulary to match.
James Dean and his father. Photo by Stephen Douglass / Shutterstock
He almost didn’t even go to California. At first, he wanted to attend the drama program at Indiana University. That’s where he grew up, so it only made sense. He ultimately changed his mind because that program made their students graduate with certificates in teaching. They didn’t think many of their students would make it as real actors in Hollywood.