James Dean

James Byron Dean (February 8, 1931 - September 30, 1955) was an American film actor, a cultural icon best embodied by the title of his most celebrated film, Rebel Without a Cause (1955). The other two roles that defined his stardom were in East of Eden (1955) and Giant (1956). James Dean's enduring fame and popularity rests on performances in only these three films, all leading roles. His premature death in a car crash cemented his legendary status. The American Film Institute ranked Dean the 18th best male movie star on their AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars list.