67 years since the death of James Dean: The great seducer loved only one girl
Today marks the 67th anniversary of the death of one of the most enduring, legendary and enigmatic characters in Hollywood history. Although he made only three films in which he was the main character, James Dean gained incredible fame, especially after his untimely death.
In 1955, 24-year-old Dean died in a car accident in California. He was driving his Porsche 550 Spyder and mechanic Rolf Wuterick to a race in Salinas, California, when he collided with a 1950 Ford Tudor on the way.
James Byron Dean was born in the small town of Marion in the US state of Indiana on February 8, 1931. From an early age, he was very attached to his mother Mildred, whom he claimed was the only one he understood.
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When she died suddenly of cancer, his life changed radically. His father sent him to live on a farm with his uncle and aunt, which would dramatically disrupt their relationship until the actor dies prematurely.
His biographers claim that in difficult times he found solace, companionship, and spiritual guidance in the Methodist priest James DeVird, who allegedly ignited Dean's love of fast cars.
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While studying law in California, he discovered his talent and desire to act, which would later make him a film legend.
Bad boy with a soft heart
While he had an image of a bad boy in public thanks to his roles in Rebel Without a Cause and East of Paradise, his friends claimed he was far from that image. He often changed his mood and quickly transformed from a quiet and withdrawn, sometimes shy boy, into a crazy comedian who can cheer up the whole company.
However, studies have encouraged him to play the card of a cool boy who rarely laughs in public, does not take a cigarette out of his mouth and who breaks hearts wherever he goes with his motorcycle or sports car.
Thanks to his magnetic charm and charisma, he managed to turn even the most ordinary pieces of clothing - blue jeans and a white T-shirt - into a fashion trend that is still copied today.
Dean no doubt had "that thing" that attracts people regardless of their gender. Neither Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Crawford, nor Judy Garland could resist him. However, he could not overcome the loss of love for an actress - Pierre Angeli.
Unrequited love
Italian actress Pierre Angeli and James Dean, after breaking up, gave several reasons for their breakup. Her mother disapproved of Dean not being a Catholic, his lifestyle, fast cars and way of dressing. Also, the people from the film studio he worked with tried to dissuade him from the idea of marrying Angeli.
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He himself admitted to the young actress that he was not ready for marriage yet, and soon after the divorce, Angeli got engaged to the singer Vic Damon, and in 1954 they got married. The famous actor was shocked and his heart was broken.
Because he was in disbelief, he had to convince himself that everything was true, so on the day of her wedding, he appeared in front of the church on a motorcycle.
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Fourteen years after their relationship ended, Pierre Angeli described what romance looked like:
"We went to the coast of California together and there we would stay secretly in a house on the beach, as far away as possible from prying eyes. We spent most of our time on the beach, sitting, having fun, just like college kids. We talked about ourselves and our problems, about movies and acting, about life and life after death. We completely understood each other. We were like Romeo and Juliet, together and inseparable. "Sometimes we loved each other so much that we just wanted to go to the sea together holding hands, knowing that then we would be together forever."
James Dean spent five years in Hollywood, and starred in three major films - "East of Paradise", "Rebel without a Cause" and "Diva". Great fame and a successful career were predicted for him, but a month before the premiere of "Rebel without a cause", the life of the young actor ended tragically.
