James Dean

I’m afraid that I’m often (too often) guilty of doing something with stars that I hate and that’s focus more on their death than their life… on the fact that they were taken from us instead of the fact that they once walked amongst us! I did this recently on this very old Hollywood blog with James Dean and I’ve felt guilty for it since. That’s why I’m writing about him again so soon! He deserves better and I’m going to see to it that I do better. The last time I wrote about this fine, iconic actor, I’m afraid I fell into the “all too easy to fall into” trap of focusing on the fact he was killed at the unbelievably young age of twenty four.

Yes, it’s easy to focus on such a horrifying tragedy – but it’s far, far better to focus on the energy, the talent, and the larger than life force that was James Dean while he was alive. This young man packed a LOT of living into 24 years. He left us with wonderful films, a lot of extraordinary quotes (he seems to have been born old and wise in many ways), and plenty of exceptional photos like the ones here. These are behind the scenes photos of James Dean on the set of Giant (1956) and I think they really showcase that personality of his!

You can buy Giant on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

James Dean

James Dean

The talented and charismatic James Dean was only 24 when he died in 1955. TWENTY FOUR! Anytime I think of how young he was, it feels like a kick in the gut. No one should die that young, with their entire life ahead of them.

While I love that he left us the films he did, I can’t help but think about the films he would have made and the performances he would have given if he had not been taken from us.

His last film was Giant, which came out in 1956. These photos were taken behind the scenes while he was making Giant and, I think, they show his love for life and for living it on his own terms.

Twenty-Four. 

You can buy Giant on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video.

James Dean and Adorable Friends