James Dean Timeline

Feb. 8, 1931: James Dean is born in Marion, Indiana to Winton and Mildred Wilson Dean.

1940: Dean's mother dies of cancer.

1940: After his mother dies, Dean's father sends him to live with Quaker relatives in Fairmont, Indiana.

1949: Dean graduates from Fairmont High School in Fairmont, Indiana.

1949: After graduating from high school, Dean moves to California to live with his father and stepmother. He enrolls in Santa Monica College and majors in pre-law. He transfers to the University of California and majors in drama, which causes his father to kick him out of the house.

1951: Has a role in the film, Fixed Bayonets.

1952: Has a role in the film, Sailor Beware.

1952: Has a role in the film, Has Anybody Seen My Gal?

1953: Has a role in the film, Trouble Along the Way.

1955: Stars in the film, East of Eden, directed by Elia Kazan.

1955: Stars in the film, Rebel Without a Cause with Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo.

1956: Stars in the film, Giant, with Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson.

Sept. 30, 1955: Dean dies at the age of 24 after his Porsche 550 Spyder collides with another car driven by Cal Poly student Donald Turnupseed near Cholame, California.