James Dean: Details About the Iconic Actor’s Fame, Lies and Secrets With New Book From Jason Colavito

In a letter dated August 12, 1954, agent Jane Deacy sought to advise her client James Dean about his plans to marry his girlfriend, Pier Angeli.

“I don’t know what to tell you,” Jane wrote. “I found out that if you get married, you have to advise your draft board, and whether they will reexamine you or reclassify you or what happens, I can’t find out.”

The Rebel Without a Cause star’s private world — including the rumor that he had been exempted from military service due to homosexuality — is examined in a new book, Jimmy: The Secret Life of James Dean, by Jason Colavito.

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“His first concern was whether [marriage] would mean he would be eligible for the draft again,” says Colavito, who examined hundreds of pages of correspondence between the famed actor and his agent. “[Jane’s letter] is the only surviving evidence proving that James had contemplated marrying Pier.”

James was introduced to the Italian actress, who was born Anna Maria Pierangeli, by Paul Newman while filming East of Eden.

“Many people would say Pier was the love of his life, but they were only together for a couple of months,” says Colavito.

Their breakup was likely due to Pier’s mother’s disapproval of the non-Catholic actor. A short time later, Pier married singer Vic Damone.

“I sincerely hope that you are not too badly hurt and upset about this,” Jane wrote to James in the aftermath.

Yet rumors about the actor’s sexuality had started in his New York theater days.

“James didn’t feel he was part of a gay or bisexual community. It wasn’t something he wanted to identify as,” explains Colavito, who adds that James “found it incredibly difficult to form bonds with other people.”

The actor had reason to fear attachment. His beloved mother died when he was a child, and a minister he turned to for support molested him.

“He has one of the most complicated histories you can imagine, yet his life was so short,” says Colavito.

Just as James’ star began to rise in Hollywood, a former roommate he once trusted, Rogers Brackett, sued him for the money he supposedly spent when they lived together.

“He was basically blackmailing James at a time when he couldn’t afford a scandal,” the author explains.

James’ private life will always be open to interpretation, but his impact on American culture cannot be underestimated.

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“He became the model for what it means to be a young man in the 20th century,” says Colavito, who was surprised by how zealously the actor pursued stardom. “There was this almost messianic spiritual side to his personality that led him to believe there was a guiding force that laid out a road map for his life. He knew he was destined to achieve greatness.”