Time Toast - James Dean

Birth of a legend

Feb 8, 1931

Jimmy Dean was born, his parents are Winton Dean and Mildred Wilson. James said that as a child his mother was the only one who really understood him. it's reported that James would make a wish each night and put it under his pillow, his mother would take it at night and try to make the wish come true the next day.

Life of James Dean

Period: Feb 8, 1931 to Sep 30, 1957

This is how many years James Dean was alive. Although he lived a short life he still continues to live in culture and memories.

Mildred Wilson's death

Apr 14, 1940

on April 14th 1940, just over a month since James Dean had turned 9 years old, his mother Mildred Wilson had passed away of uterine cancer.

friendship of a local Methodist pastor

Jan 1, 1946

James Dean had an allegid intimate relationship with the local Methodist Pastor, James DeWeerd. Rev. had a certain influence on Jimmy that spiked his interest on his latter hobbies and intereats such as auto racing and theatre.

success begins

Jan 1, 1950

throught the early 1950's James starred in Kraft Television Theatre, Robert Montgomery Presents, The United States Steel Hour, Danger, and General Electric Theater, as well as a couple other televison shows.

Santa Monica

Jan 18, 1950

James began school at Santa Monica College and majored in pre-law. After the semester passed he left for UCLA and switched to theatre.

First Television appearence

Dec 13, 1950

James Dean had his first appearence on Television after he had dropped out of UCLA to pursue a full time film career.

John the Beloved

Mar 25, 1951

James was cast into an Easter televison special that dramatized the resurection of Jesus. this was his first speaking role. He worked at a place in Chatsworth California called Iverson movie Ranch. During this time a local Catolic all girls school had made the Immaculate Heart James Dean Appreciation Society as appreciation.

James moves to NYC

Oct 1, 1951

James Dean had moved from California to New York City. He worked as a stunt tester for the a game show but was fired because he did the tasks too quickly. He appeared in several TV series such as The Web and Studio One.

Actors Studio

Jan 1, 1952

James made it into Actors studio which was very hard for beginner actors. James was the youngest in his class. He made friends with Carroll Baker, which they both later stared in 'Giant' (1956).

Broadway

Aug 1, 1952

James was a performer at the Village Theatre in New York. He performed a reading of "The metamorphisis" by Franz Kafka. In October he was in broadway for "See the Jaguar" and played a boy who was locked in an icehouse his whole life by his mother. Just after 6 performances the Broadway show was stopped.

Reputation

Oct 4, 1953

James played in Omnibus in the episode "Glory in the Flower". His character was very moody and antisocial but was so amazing they made it his character in "Rebel Without a Cause" where he played James Stark.

Auto Racing

Jan 1, 1954

James developed an interest in having an auto racing career, and had purchased several vehicles after filming East of Eden (1953). James purchased a Porsche 356 and a Triumph Tiger T110.

Warner Bros.

Apr 7, 1954

James signed a contract with Warner Bros. for "East of Eden", as the role Cal Trask. James recieved $700 for this in advance!

East of Eden

Apr 8, 1954

Dean started playing in East of Eden as the antisocial Cal Trask. Most of his lines were improvised. The screen writer Paul Osborn suggested James Dean would be a perfect suit for the role.

Jim Stark

Jan 4, 1955

James stars in "Rebel Without a Cause" as Jim stark, this movie was very popular with teenagers. A lot of the time whenever Jimmy appeared on screen girls would scream.

Giant

May 1, 1955

Before shooting his first scene with Elizabeth Taylor in Giant, James was so nervous that he unzip ped his pants and urinated in front of the whole cast, and crew. When later asked to explain his actions James said that if he could do that, he could do anything with Elizabeth in front of the camera.

First competition

May 26, 1955

James attended his first real racing competition in Palm Springs, California. James was 1st place in his novice class and 2nd at the main event. He continued racing a month later in Bakersfield where he finishes 3rd overall and 1st in his class.

Memorial Day

May 30, 1955

James' final race occured on Memorial day. He was unable to finish the competition due to a blown piston. His career was put on hold when Warner Brothers told him they don't want him to race.

Safety Last

Sep 17, 1955

James made a car safety commercial a couple weeks before his car accident that cemented his career. The final line was "Take it easy driving. the life you might save might be mine."

Little Bastard

Sep 21, 1955

James traded his Prsche Super Speedster for the Porsche Spyder 550. George Barris painted a "130" and "Little Bastard" on the side at request of James.

Death of Jimmy Dean

Sep 30, 1955

James Dean was driving to an intersection when a 1950 ford Tudor was passing through the intersection ahead. James was unable to stop in time and spun the wheel. The Porsche flew over and threw out his company, Rolf Wütherich but James remained in the vehicle and had received many injuries including a broken neck.

Golden Globes

Feb 23, 1956

James won the Special achievment Award for East of Eden. The Award was posthumously for best dramatic actor.

Oscars

Mar 21, 1956

James was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (East of Eden). This was the first ever posthumous actor nomination in Academy Award History.

Gold Globes

Feb 28, 1957

Still even since James had passed on he continued to win awards. This time he won the Henrietta Award for Male world Film favourite.

Oscars round 2

Mar 27, 1957

James was nominated for Best Actor in a leading Role (Giant). This was the second consecutive posthumous nomination that was again given to James!