Life of James Dean
...age of seventeen. His English and Drama teacher at Fairmont High was a major influence on his decision to become an actor; she encouraged Jimmy to read great works of literature and perform in school plays. Jimmy really liked poetry and went on to write many poems. A month after graduating from Fairmont High, he moved to California and began his freshman year at Santa Monica College. Eighteen months later he got his first professional acting job and received $30 dollars for doing a Pepsi-Cola commercial. At the start of 1951, Jimmy withdrew from his college course at Santa Monica City College, so he could attend drama workshops organized by James Whitmore. During the years of 1952 and 1953, Jimmy worked constantly. His talent was getting him noticed, and during mid 1954 he got the part of Cal Trask in the movie East of Eden, his first major film role. Jimmy received great reviews, which in turn helped him get the part of Jim Stark in Rebel Without a Cause, a classic film for which he will always be remembered. The year was 1955, and filming for Rebel was completed by the middle of the year. Just before filming of Rebel had finished, Jimmy also started filming as Jett Rink in the movie Giant. He didn’t finish...