James Dean the First Rebel Trivia Quiz

Answer: Lord George Gordon Byron

The poet Byron was his mother's favorite poet. James Byron Dean was born on February 8th 1931. Both Lord Byron and James Dean died tragically and at very young ages. James Dean was named after the attending physician at his birth, Dr. James Emmick - it was a difficult birth - James was born at home, and his mother named him after the physician in his honor.

Some sources state that his middle name was selected by his father, as his father's best friend's name was Byron.

Answer: Indiana

James Dean grew up in, and is buried in, Fairmount, Indiana. Dean's chilhood home is not open to visitors, but there is also a James Dean museum in town. A bronze bust of Dean was stolen from the cemetery (twice!). There are lipstick prints all over his headstone. Jim Davis, the creator of 'Garfield' is also from Fairmount.

Answer: 'Splendor in the Grass'

James Dean only made three movies in his short life and was still posthumously nominated for best-supporting actor Oscars for both 'Giant' and 'East of Eden'. 'Rebel' and 'Giant' were both released after he died. By the way, 'Splendor in the Grass' is an early Warren Beatty film.

Answer: A car crash

James Dean was driving his silver Porsche Spyder at sundown. He was speeding and hit another car head on. His car was nearly invisible due to the setting sun and the speed he was traveling. Both Dean's passenger and the driver of the other car survived. Ironically, Dean was stopped for speeding a half hour before the fatal crash.

He died on September 30, 1955. Fairmount has a memorial weekend every year in September to honor Dean.

Answer: Lee Strasberg

While living in New York, Dean studied with Strasberg who started the 'method actor' movement. Other pupils of Strasberg included Dustin Hoffman, Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and Marilyn Monroe. Many say that without Dean and his acting ability there would have been no De Niro, Brando, Pacino or even Leonardo DiCaprio. Dean started the trend of the tough yet tender rebel.