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Rebel: The Life and Legend of James Dean
Based on meticulous research and new interviews with dozens of family members, friends, lovers, directors, and costars, Rebel offers a revelatory look at actor and film icon James Dean (1931-1955). From the dusty roads of rural Indiana to Manhattan's gay culture, from Broadway to Burbank, here is Dean's troubled life: the tragic death of his mother when he was nine; his tumultous relationship with his father; his rise to stardom in New York and Hollywood and his on-and off-screen exploits.
352 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1996
26 people are currently reading
625 people want to read
About the author
Donald Spoto
51Ìýbooks157ÌýfollowersA prolific and respected biographer and theologian, Donald Spoto is the author of twenty published books, among them bestselling biographies of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Alfred Hitchcock, Tennessee Williams, and Ingrid Bergman. His books have been translated into more than twenty languages. Donald Spoto earned his Ph.D. in theology at Fordham University. After years as a theology professor, he turned to fulltime writing. The Hidden Jesus: A New Life, published in 1999, was hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "offering a mature faith fit for the new millennium." His successful biography of Saint Francis was published in 2002.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 1, 2018
I have to admire that author Spoto was able to make a likable book about a loner who appeared to be equal parts difficult, immature, and just flat out odd. (I already knew about the oddness - and I'm not referring to and/or making a cheap joke about his love life - from celebrity anecdotes in previous books and documentaries.) James Dean sounds like he was one unlikable person a lot of the time, but I don't think Spoto hates him - as suggested in other reviews - just that this is a fair-handed 'warts and all' biography.
I also found it highly amusing that Spoto trashes the usual notion that Dean was raised in some idyllic heartland by noting that Great Depression-era Indiana was actually a hotbed of violent crime (think Dillinger) and Ku Klux Klan activity, not to mention not at all very accepting of certain religions / political ideas / lifestyle choices, etc.
But certainly there is a pall hanging over everything - not just Dean's unexpected death, but the early fatal illness of one parent and the strained, almost non-existent relationship with the other causing such an apparent problematic ripple throughout his adult life.
As an irrelevant postscript, I will paraphrase critic Richard Roeper in which he fancifully imagined that if Dean had survived to middle-age (or longer) he may have eventually headlined a 70's TV series as a wise-cracking detective. I would've liked to see that, too.
I also found it highly amusing that Spoto trashes the usual notion that Dean was raised in some idyllic heartland by noting that Great Depression-era Indiana was actually a hotbed of violent crime (think Dillinger) and Ku Klux Klan activity, not to mention not at all very accepting of certain religions / political ideas / lifestyle choices, etc.
But certainly there is a pall hanging over everything - not just Dean's unexpected death, but the early fatal illness of one parent and the strained, almost non-existent relationship with the other causing such an apparent problematic ripple throughout his adult life.
As an irrelevant postscript, I will paraphrase critic Richard Roeper in which he fancifully imagined that if Dean had survived to middle-age (or longer) he may have eventually headlined a 70's TV series as a wise-cracking detective. I would've liked to see that, too.
June 20, 2020
Rebel: The Life and Legend of James Dean (1996) by Donald Spoto is a great read about the Hollywood legend.
This book is a very informative read and gives great background on Dean’s life growing up and the emotional upheaval he experienced when he lost his mother and hadn’t much of a relationship with his father. Through interviews with family, friends, other halves, costars and directors, Spoto has assembled a book with more tales about the young actor who lost his life in a car crash back in 1955.
In this book we read about the behind the scenes of the few films he starred in, his times in the gay scene in Manhattan, Broadway, Burbank and his drive to succeed followed by what appeared to the outside an overnight success. It also deals with the aftermath of his death and the legacy he has left behind. Dean is a difficult person to describe as he did seem to be very complex. One part of him seemed to be difficult and hard to work with and yet the other side of him seemed to be gentle, nerdy and actually quite fun.
He came across as a loner and actually an introverted person too. So I would imagine constantly talking to this person and that person in the business was not the easiest thing in the world and I think there was a braveness in that. Not in becoming an actor because obviously being introverted in your craft and in talking situations are too different things and I think he could do the acting side of things in his sleep. But I think there was a braveness in taking on the constant chatter that went with his job and which isn’t always easy for introverts.
There was moments that made me raise my eyebrows but all in all I quite liked him from this book. He did have a certain charm about him and that probably boded well for him with his career and in romance.
I think Spoto wrote an amazing and interesting book here. The only flaw I could find was he did tend to go off into other topics which may or may not be of interest to Dean fans. It didn’t bother me when I was interested in the topic he was discussing but when it didn’t it kind of threw me out of the reading zone I was in.
A very interesting read about a complex but endearing, likable man.
This book is a very informative read and gives great background on Dean’s life growing up and the emotional upheaval he experienced when he lost his mother and hadn’t much of a relationship with his father. Through interviews with family, friends, other halves, costars and directors, Spoto has assembled a book with more tales about the young actor who lost his life in a car crash back in 1955.
In this book we read about the behind the scenes of the few films he starred in, his times in the gay scene in Manhattan, Broadway, Burbank and his drive to succeed followed by what appeared to the outside an overnight success. It also deals with the aftermath of his death and the legacy he has left behind. Dean is a difficult person to describe as he did seem to be very complex. One part of him seemed to be difficult and hard to work with and yet the other side of him seemed to be gentle, nerdy and actually quite fun.
He came across as a loner and actually an introverted person too. So I would imagine constantly talking to this person and that person in the business was not the easiest thing in the world and I think there was a braveness in that. Not in becoming an actor because obviously being introverted in your craft and in talking situations are too different things and I think he could do the acting side of things in his sleep. But I think there was a braveness in taking on the constant chatter that went with his job and which isn’t always easy for introverts.
There was moments that made me raise my eyebrows but all in all I quite liked him from this book. He did have a certain charm about him and that probably boded well for him with his career and in romance.
I think Spoto wrote an amazing and interesting book here. The only flaw I could find was he did tend to go off into other topics which may or may not be of interest to Dean fans. It didn’t bother me when I was interested in the topic he was discussing but when it didn’t it kind of threw me out of the reading zone I was in.
A very interesting read about a complex but endearing, likable man.
April 9, 2023
obiecałam ze opowiem jak faktycznie skończę te książkę (bi nie byłam pewna czy skończę ale b dobrze się czytało w sumie) wiec
zaczęło się od odcinka spn (jak większość rzeczy w moim życiu) o tym durnym samochodzie brzydkim i duchu co nie był chyba w sumie duchem. odcinek obejrzałam jakoś jak byłam w połowie czytania na wschód od edenu, co sie wgl okazało byc moja ulubiona książka wszechczasow wiec sb chciałam obejrzeć film bo wiedziałam ze jest film. no i nie zgadniecie kto gra w tym filmie : typ od samochodu z spn. no to sb pomyślałam hm może przeczytam o typie od samochodu co gra w filmie do mojej ulubionej książki. and here we are. nwm co taylor swift miała w głowie (ig its more cowboy like me than style) i wgl cały świat ze mnie próbowali przekonać ze to jest najromantyczniejsza postać kiedykolwiek?? jakoś nwm nie spodziewałam się Tego.
moja ostatnia myśl jest taka ze ze to smieszne ze on był doslownei jak jakis karolak co umie grać jedna role i zawsze gra jedna role i ta rola do on sam
zaczęło się od odcinka spn (jak większość rzeczy w moim życiu) o tym durnym samochodzie brzydkim i duchu co nie był chyba w sumie duchem. odcinek obejrzałam jakoś jak byłam w połowie czytania na wschód od edenu, co sie wgl okazało byc moja ulubiona książka wszechczasow wiec sb chciałam obejrzeć film bo wiedziałam ze jest film. no i nie zgadniecie kto gra w tym filmie : typ od samochodu z spn. no to sb pomyślałam hm może przeczytam o typie od samochodu co gra w filmie do mojej ulubionej książki. and here we are. nwm co taylor swift miała w głowie (ig its more cowboy like me than style) i wgl cały świat ze mnie próbowali przekonać ze to jest najromantyczniejsza postać kiedykolwiek?? jakoś nwm nie spodziewałam się Tego.
moja ostatnia myśl jest taka ze ze to smieszne ze on był doslownei jak jakis karolak co umie grać jedna role i zawsze gra jedna role i ta rola do on sam
September 13, 2008
This book was very informative I really didn't know anything about James Dean other than he was an actor and was killed in a car crash but his life was devastating and sad I wish that he had lived long enough to sort out all the feelings he was going through but at least he didn't have to suffer in life anymore.
October 29, 2018
His three films are among my favorite, and his talent was absolutely undeniable.
I began reading this very thorough, very honest look at the short life and splendid career of an American legend, quite accidentally, on the 63rd anniversary of his death. It felt significant to me, because I've always been such a fan.
Spoto is unflinching in his portrayal, which is the result of exhaustive research and interviews. I especially appreciated the background on his parents, as it really set the stage for Dean's development and his trajectory.
I get that Dean was conflicted, immature and sometimes boorish, but he lost his mother very young and was only 24 when he died, so I have great sympathy. Had he lived, I think he might have grown into a much more reasonable adult, and the world might have known more of his spectacular talent.
I find myself going back to moments in his short life that Spoto recreates, and to the phenomenal Anton Corbijn biopic about Dean and photographer Dennis Stock (who took many of the famous iconic photos of Jimmy), and feeling bereft all over again for our losing him 63 years ago. A lifetime. Who knows what might have been?
Overall, a well done biography.
I began reading this very thorough, very honest look at the short life and splendid career of an American legend, quite accidentally, on the 63rd anniversary of his death. It felt significant to me, because I've always been such a fan.
Spoto is unflinching in his portrayal, which is the result of exhaustive research and interviews. I especially appreciated the background on his parents, as it really set the stage for Dean's development and his trajectory.
I get that Dean was conflicted, immature and sometimes boorish, but he lost his mother very young and was only 24 when he died, so I have great sympathy. Had he lived, I think he might have grown into a much more reasonable adult, and the world might have known more of his spectacular talent.
I find myself going back to moments in his short life that Spoto recreates, and to the phenomenal Anton Corbijn biopic about Dean and photographer Dennis Stock (who took many of the famous iconic photos of Jimmy), and feeling bereft all over again for our losing him 63 years ago. A lifetime. Who knows what might have been?
Overall, a well done biography.
February 21, 2025
Snapshot look into the life and times of one of my favourite persons I came across, the book really details a lot of things I didnt know about Dean, a very tumultous and troubled guy. I personally felt connected to him in some ways, damn. Anyways, it was a good read, won't say I thoroughly enjoyed it but I definitely understood my fascination with him at the end.
September 13, 2016
I really enjoyed the take of Donald Spoto. At times I almost felt like he disliked James Dean but he was really trying to give his best objective opinion. I didn't know a lot about Dean but what I heard about him was wrong. He was very insecure and unsure of himself. He played roles that were very similar to himself. He should not have been a role model for anyone. He treated people quite badly to be honest. A lot of stemmed from the loss of his mother who he loved dearly and the bad relationship with his father. I really enjoyed the final chapters describing the legend of James Dean after his death. My opinion of James Dean was changed and I was sad about that, but Spoto kept me reading.
February 10, 2013
Still trying to update my list as I remember books I have read. I read this before going off to film school while working as a projectionist in a movie theater. One time I was sitting in a chair, reading away when out of nowhere the film just snapped as it was rolling onto the platter! I'd never seen that happen before all on it's own... I think he was playing a trick on me(?).
September 10, 2012
I enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of classic films, but hadn't really been a huge fan of James Dean. I didn't find him as appealing as so many others have, and even thought his acting skills were mediocre. The book made me an admirer of James Dean, and allowed me to look at his films differently, as well. It's a worthy read, imho.
July 28, 2007
I loooooove James Dean but the author went on too much about things not relating to Dean. and that's just not acceptable.
November 21, 2007
I would have rated this "Okay", but the pictures are too cool for that. James Dean...is there anyone cooler? :)
May 12, 2012
A very tight biography, well written, and very informative; so informative I felt I lived James Dean's life side by side with him all the way till his tragic end.
August 27, 2014
Wow. Troubled much? I don’t want to be famous anymore. There was more tragedy than good times in the short life of this amazing talent who touched the lives of so many.
March 7, 2024
I didn't know much about James Dean. (I was only 6 years old when he was killed.) But now I know more than I would have liked to know.
Turns out that James Dean had very few friends because not many people liked him, and that was because, to put it mildly, he had zero social skills. Hardly anybody liked him because he liked almost no one. (One of the few people who did like him was Elizabeth Taylor.)
People complained about his work habits (or lack thereof) during rehearsals, but everyone agreed that when the camera was turned on, he was brilliant. Go figure.
He idolized Marlon Brando and started riding a motorcycle after he saw "The Wild One". And after he went to Hollywood and started to make some money, he bought sports cars, the faster, the better. Most people who rode with him once refused a second ride, afraid that his seeming addiction to speed was going to get them killed.
This is well-researched book, and if you've ever wanted to know who James Dean was, I can recommend it to you.
Turns out that James Dean had very few friends because not many people liked him, and that was because, to put it mildly, he had zero social skills. Hardly anybody liked him because he liked almost no one. (One of the few people who did like him was Elizabeth Taylor.)
People complained about his work habits (or lack thereof) during rehearsals, but everyone agreed that when the camera was turned on, he was brilliant. Go figure.
He idolized Marlon Brando and started riding a motorcycle after he saw "The Wild One". And after he went to Hollywood and started to make some money, he bought sports cars, the faster, the better. Most people who rode with him once refused a second ride, afraid that his seeming addiction to speed was going to get them killed.
This is well-researched book, and if you've ever wanted to know who James Dean was, I can recommend it to you.
October 30, 2022
The main problem with Spoto’s biography only begins around 75% in. It’s laced with phenomenal backstory and tells you Dean’s entire life from his birth to death, but Spoto begins to voice his obscure thoughts on Dean which more often than not, frustrated the hell out of me. From what I took, he seemingly only views Dean as a teen icon and his early death is merely the only reason he’s remembered. Though this attributes to Dean’s memory, the author couldn’t be more wrong. As I read through I felt he just didn’t understand why Dean did the things he did, contributing to the book at times feeling convoluted, with the author not knowing what he wants to project. Dean lived his life his way, didn���t take anything from anyone and was no doubt an outcast, but Spoto just doesn’t understand that.
April 15, 2024
For a long while I have enjoyed books by Donald Spoto; this is the eleventh I have read by him. The life of James Dean (dead at 24) does not give a biographer many moments of time to work with. Spoto shows that Dean's acting skills and early success did bad things for his ego. The stories of his unprofessional behavior toward other actors make you cringe. He seems to have died before he grew up.
May 9, 2023
Really liked this book. It was a good length� not too detailed but told the complete and troubled story of James Dean. Well researched as well. This is definitely the book I’d read if I was looking for a James Dean biography.
February 9, 2024
Donald Spoto has written an interesting and vivid picture of an obnoxious, spoiled, lonely, and confused icon. I thoroughly enjoyed the portrait if not the subject. I knew very little about James Dean before reading this and now having done so I can honestly say I would have strongly disliked him.
May 25, 2019
It wasn't biased which was great🙌
Also, ironically, I finished reading it on my 24th birthday🙃
Also, ironically, I finished reading it on my 24th birthday🙃
April 27, 2020
Did not enjoy this as much as the shorter and more photo-rich bio by George Perry. I did pair it with watching each of his 3 movies and I think it added more depth to the movies for me.
October 1, 2020
It wasn’t the best celebrity or James Dean book I’ve ever read. There were a few high points, but overall the writing was lazy & cliched.
January 11, 2024
LOVE THIS BOOK!!! And james dean too
December 22, 2009
The life of man can change a history people but a couple of times in a lifetime, James Dean was one of those men.
If this book is the correct one i'm thinking of. It reveals a life that those of us who admire this actor would never have known. He is so much more than disturbed, he is amazing! If I could only meet those who really this man I would not know what to do, but wish i could have been in their shoes...
If this book is the correct one i'm thinking of. It reveals a life that those of us who admire this actor would never have known. He is so much more than disturbed, he is amazing! If I could only meet those who really this man I would not know what to do, but wish i could have been in their shoes...
December 14, 2015
When reading and watching documentaries about someone, you start to understand what's true and what's rumor. Author Donald Spoto has written many biographies and seems to know his stuff. I felt that what he wrote is accurate and entertaining.
September 28, 2014
Interesting and entertaining read. Well researched.
December 1, 2015
Good Dean biography. It helped me understand that I spent my entire life judging Dean for someone he wasn't - at all. Worth the read.
January 29, 2016
I read a little too much about James Dean back in the day.
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August 11, 2016very illuminating...have read it before ofcourse
June 13, 2012
I love James Dean and this book was not nearly as good as I expected.
December 1, 2014
sympathetically written, but warts & all.
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