James Dean was born in Marion, Indiana, on February 8, 1931. He grew up on a farm outside the town of Fairmount, Indiana. When he was nine years old, his mother died and his father sent him to live with his aunt and uncle in Santa Monica, California. Dean began acting while in high school and after graduation he moved to New York City to pursue an acting career. In 1955, Dean made his film debut in East of Eden. A year later he starred in Rebel Without a Cause which made him a cultural icon. Dean only made three films before dying in a car accident at the age of 24.