For which of his three starring films did James Dean not get an Oscar nomination?

James Byron Dean (February 8, 1931 – September 30, 1955) was an American actor. He is remembered as a cultural icon of teenage disillusionment and social estrangement, as expressed in the title of his most celebrated film, Rebel Without a Cause (1955), in which he starred as troubled teenager Jim Stark. The other two roles that defined his stardom were loner Cal Trask in East of Eden (1955) and surly ranch hand Jett Rink in Giant (1956).

In recognition of his performance in East of Eden, Dean was nominated posthumously for the 1956 Academy Awards as Best Actor in a Leading Role of 1955, the first official posthumous acting nomination in Academy Awards history.

Dean received his second posthumous Best Actor Academy Award nomination for his role in Giant at the 29th Academy Awards in 1957 for films released in 1956.

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5 Comments

teacherchicky

The movie that brought him the most fame is the one he wasn't nominated for but I think he may have died before the Oscar nominations came out. He didn't have as big a part in Giant as he did in the other two movies!

William Laughlin

Richard D. Boyle, He was brilliant! In high school, we were treated to a viewing of Rebel Without a Cause in the school auditorium. It was considered important enough of a film that everyone should see it.

Elsy O. Stromberg

Personally I was very impressed by his acting in Rebel and East of Eden. Giant did not stay with me like those two.

Richard D. Boyle

I was in college in Indiana, his home state, throughout the mid/50s and saw all three at initial release. I prefer his performances, then and now, as: best, East of Eden; next, Rebel Without a Cause; last, Giant. I probably like his Cal Trask the best because I am such a huge admirer of John Steinbeck and felt that James Dean captured Cal Trask as written and envisioned by Steinbeck. Gone much too soon.