This is the section for all our "FUN" James Dean information - please enjoy!
Did You Know?
... that a worshipful cult sprang up after James' death that continues to this day. Fans then and now identify with the alienated-youth characters he portrayed in Rebel Without a Cause and have kept his memory alive nearly fifty years after his death. It was said that at the time his death was reported, disturbed teenagers went so far as to commit suicide. Fans continue to this day to travel to his gravesite in Indiana as a sort of pilgrimage. The tombstone has nearly disappeared as fans throughout the years have chipped off pieces of the marble headstone as a ghoulish remembrance of their visit.
... that James made all three of his major films in the same year, although Giant was released the year after his death.
... that James is only one of only a handful of actors to receive an Academy Award nomination for their very first screen appearance - James in fact received two posthumous nominations - one in 1956 for East of Eden (pictured here) and another in 1957 for Giant.
... that James was driving a Porsche Spyder when he crashed into another car on his way to a car race in Salinas, California. Two hours before the crash James was issued a speeding ticket. In just one example of how people attempted to cash in on the tragedy of his death, mourners were charged money to sit behind the seat of the mangled car he died in.
... that a memorial has been built in Cholama, California by a devoted fan. It's located about 900 feet from the site of the accident that killed James Dean on Highway 46 East about 30 miles from the city of Paso Robles. The plaque on the memorial reads: "What is essential is invisible to the eye". This quotation from Jean Antoine de Saint Exupery's "The Little Prince" was probably James Dean's favorite. It seemed to hold a deep and private significance for him, and he read it often especially with those he loved.
... that a legend has sprung up about the car that James Dean was driving the day he crashed. We turn to the truth squad at Snopes.com to find out what's true and what's not and guess what? Even Snopes does not know.
... that although there has been a great deal speculation about James Dean's sexual orientation we do know that as a young actor in New York City he had a girlfriend named Liz Sheridan. Here's one of the greatest pieces of trivia ever. What television character did this girlfriend go on to play in later life? Why it's Jerry's mother on Seinfeld! Liz Sheridan wrote a book about her relationship with James Dean called Dizzy and Jimmy.
... James Dean moved up on Forbes magazine's dead celebrity earning list this year. Moving from 13th to 12th, his estate raked in $5 million in 2008. The list of Top Earning Dead Celebrities published by Forbes Magazine. In 2007 he was #13 earning $3.5 million. His heir is a cousin. Here he is in an ad for Converse shoes.
... that the people who licence James Dean's iconic image have a website and they will let you join his fan club if you pay them money.
... that you can see a very young James Dean in one of his first acting jobs - a commercial for Pepsi.
On Location
Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
In the early 1960's, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce developed the idea of the "Hollywood Walk of Fame." The sidewalks of the most famous streets in the heart of Hollywood were lined with "stars" recognizing celebrities' life-long contributions to the entertainment industry. Receiving a star is still to this day considered a huge honor. Here's where you can find James Dean's star:
Walk of Fame Star (Motion Pictures)
1719 Vine St.
Hollywood, CA
Former Home of James Dean
14611 Sutton St.
Sherman Oaks, CA SEE MAP
... that a worshipful cult sprang up after James' death that continues to this day. Fans then and now identify with the alienated-youth characters he portrayed in 
... that James made all three of his major films in the same year, although 
... that James is only one of only a handful of actors to receive an Academy Award nomination for their very first screen appearance - James in fact received two posthumous nominations - one in 1956 for 
... that a memorial has been built in Cholama, California by a devoted fan. It's located about 900 feet from the site of the accident that killed James Dean on Highway 46 East about 30 miles from the city of Paso Robles. The plaque on the memorial reads: "What is essential is invisible to the eye". This quotation from Jean Antoine de Saint Exupery's "The Little Prince" was probably James Dean's favorite. It seemed to hold a deep and private significance for him, and he read it often especially with those he loved.
... that a legend has sprung up about the car that James Dean was driving the day he crashed. We turn to the truth squad at 
... James Dean moved up on Forbes magazine's dead celebrity earning list this year. Moving from 13th to 12th, his estate raked in $5 million in 2008. The list of 
Walk of Fame Star
