I personally think the answer is a resounding YES. Sure, perhaps he wasn't given the opportunity to develop himself as an actor, but from those three films, his tremendous talent was shone pretty clear. But of course a large part of his reputation developed from the fact he had such a short career/

The way I see it, his Hollywood hype persona was associated with the Rock and Roll movement of the 50's, he was young with attitude who came across as the "Coolest" guys you ever seen, the same mystique as early Elvis Presley had, different from all others and like Elvis of the 50's the teenagers idealized James Dean after he made the movie "Rebel without a Cause" and took him into their world as a role model.

When he was killed he became sort of a martyr in their teenage rebellion and his popularity grew bigger than what he really did to deserver that status, only his assoiation with the teenage rebellion of the time was his only claim to his icon status today.

Hot Wax

Have you ever seen all three of his movies? Do yourself a favour and watch them - and then watch them again, and maybe you won't view him ONLY him as a 'cultural icon', though he undoubtedly was. He is still one of the best actors of his era (at least as good as his compatriot Brando). But even if he wasn't taken so tragically, I have to say I can't see him contiuing a career in acting as long as others such as Brando did.

Have you ever seen all three of his movies? Do yourself a favour and watch them - and then watch them again, and maybe you won't view him ONLY him as a 'cultural icon', though he undoubtedly was. He is still one of the best actors of his era (at least as good as his compatriot Brando). But even if he wasn't taken so tragically, I have to say I can't see him contiuing a career in acting as long as others such as Brando did.


There is no doubt that he was a terrific actor and would be in the same class of Brando but his off camera charisma superseded his acting abilities, his cool hip attitude intrigued both genders and the kids took him on as a role model because of it.

I don't personally care what person's life style are, but do you know if he was he Gay?  I thought it was mentioned in a documentary about James Dean's life that Dennis Hopper and James Dean were good friends but only friends nothing more then good buddies, although, I didn't understand why it was mentioned or where they were going with that information, I must have missed something in that segment...was he Gay?

HW

There is no doubt that he was a terrific actor and would be in the same class of Brando but his off camera charisma superseded his acting abilities, his cool hip attitude intrigued both genders and the kids took him on as a role model because of it.

I don't personally care what person's life style are, but do you know if he was he Gay?  I thought it was mentioned in a documentary about James Dean's life that Dennis Hopper and James Dean were good friends but only friends nothing more that good buddies, although, I didn't understand why it was mentioned or where they were going with that information, I must have missed something in that segment...was he Gay?

HW


He was once quoted as saying, was like, 'living with one hand tied behind your back.' And from most reports I read he was bi-sexual. But not being a real expert on his private life, I can't really confirm anything as such.