1 of 9

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 3

a bit-part actor. For example, he played a boxing trainer in the Martin and Lewis comedy "Sailor Beware" (1951), in which he had only one speaking part, among playing bit parts in a few other films, "Fixed Bayonets" (1951); "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951), and "Has anybody seen My Gal?" (1951) He also acted in commercials; notably he appeared in a Pepsi-Cola commercial in 1952. While he was a struggling actor, he worked for a time as a parking attendant at CBS Studios, where he met Roger Brackett, a radio director for an advertising agency who took a liking to the young man and gave him professional advice as well as a place to stay.

James was strongly urged by Brackett and Actor James Whitmore to move to New York City, where they felt he would find greater opportunities. While there, he worked as a stunt tester on the popular game show "Beat the Clock". He also began to appear on television dramas, such as "The Web", "Studio One" and "Lux Video Theater". He furthered honed his acting skills studying under Lee Strasberg to study Method acting. As the young man improved his acting skills, his television presence began to be seen more and more, being seen on such legendary TV shows as "Kraft Television Theater"," "Robert Montgomery Presents", "Danger" and "General Electric Theater".

In 1953, Dean appeared in what would be a precursor of his later screen persona when he appeared as a troubled youth on the CBS program Omnibus,which was notable for featuring the Bill Haley and the Comets song "Crazy Man, Crazy", which was the first television program to feature rock 'n' roll as a growing musical art form. In 1954 he got good reviews for his role as an North African houseboy in "The Immoralist". His fame began to reach the attention of Hollywood.

In 1953, producer Elia Kazan was looking for a young male actor to play the role of Cal Trask in his upcoming film "East of Eden". The movie dealt with the personal trials of two dysfunctional families over a period of three generations. Originally the well-established actor Marlon Brando was considered for the part, but screenwriter Paul Osborne suggested using Dean for the role. The film brought James Dean into public prominence. In fact, he received a posthumous nomination for an Academy Award following his untimely demise (being the first actor to receive an award posthumously). In March 1954, He left New York to head for Hollywood where he began

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about The life and death of James Dean?
We want to hear your view. Write now!