James Byron Dean (February 8, 1931 - September 30, 1955) was an American film actor. Epitomizing youthful angst and charisma, Dean's screen persona is probably best embodied in the title of his most representative work, Rebel without a Cause.

Born on a Marion, Indiana family farm to Winton and Mildred Wilson Dean. The family moved to Santa Monica, California six years later after Winton left farming to become a dental technician. While there, Dean was enrolled in Brentwood Public School until his mother died of cancer in 1940 ... (read more )