(Source: jamesdeandaily, via maryhartleys)

Self-destructive acting genius of the ’50s who became Hollywood’s symbol of adolescent rebellion….Last TV spot:  “Drive safely.  Because the life you save may be — mine“….Died: September 30, 1955, at 24, when his Porsche Spyder plowed into an oncoming car at nearly 100 mph….Growing pains: death of his mother when he was 9….True love No. 2: Actress Pier Angeli….True love No. 1: James Dean, who often stood before a mirror and took snapshots of James Dean….Birth of the Cult: Elvis Presley memorized many of Dean’s lines from Rebel Without a Cause; another young actor, hoping to meet his idol in the hereafter, crashed his car into a tree….Tragically true confession: “I will not live over 30.”  —People magazine

James Dean hamming in front of a candy stand, pretending to steal candy for the benefit of the camera.  He stared down a customer, then posed fro a more serious shot nearby.  Photographed by Roy Schatt.

(Source: jimmylives, via 2831)

James Dean at the racetrack.  Photographed by Frank Worth.

I can remember the first time that I saw James Dean.  I was driving on the Warner Brothers lot, and saw this tousled-haired kid sitting on the ground, outside the sound stage.  It was unusual, as one never saw anyone sitting on the lot like that.  Later, my agent said while I was working there, go over and take a few pictures on the set of a little film called Rebel Without a Cause.  He mentioned there was a new actor from Broadway playing opposite Natalie Wood, and it might be good to have a few shots of him.  This was the kid sitting in the sun.  No one could have guessed then that this “little film” would make him such a legend, or how tragically soon his life would be snuffed out.  —Bob Willoughby

jamesdeandaily:

James Dean photographed by Phil Stern, 1955.

I was invited onto the set of Giant (1956) in Texas.  Jimmy Dean was playing with a lasso.  Trying to get his technique perfected.  I said ‘Oh anyone can do that, it’s easy.’  Jimmy looked me in the eye and said, ‘Oh really Frank!  Well if it is so easy let me see you try.’  I made an ass of myself and everyone laughed at me.  You know what?  Jimmy took me aside after lunch and spent thirty minutes teaching me how to do it.  We were an hour late getting back on the set but he wouldn’t return until I’d learnt how.  That was the kinda guy Jimmy was. —Frank Worth

James Dean and his cat.  Photographed by Sanford Roth.

(Source: , via jhnlithgow)

These are print ads from a 1993 campaign by the GAP fashion clothing company to sell their range of khaki trousers. The campaign tagline was “Who Wore Khakis?”
They may not have actually been GAP khakis, but the campaign featured such iconic figures as Steve McQueen, Carole Lombard, John Wayne, Gene Kelly, Sammy Davis Jr., and James Dean.

(via 2831)

James Dean photographed by Phil Stern