James Dean: American Legend? Great or Bad Actor?

[Placebo]

I'm gonna go with American Legend, Great Actor, since movies like "Rebel Without A Cause" still give me and my friends goosebumps, and we're 18/19 years old.

[Zensea]

1. odd poll

obviously he's an American legend.

That doesn't say anything about his acting ability.

Marilyn Monroe is an American legend for example, but not for her acting.

I'd say he was a better than average actor. His peers had great respect for his ability. Nicholas Ray could have cast anybody in Rebel Without A Cause and he picked Dean.

My father knew him at UCLA and never bad mouthed his abilities. He did say he was quite driven & opportunistic but this was not said to cast aspersions on Dean's acting.

[Placebo]

3. I updated the poll.

Hope that helps. :hi:

[Hieronymus]

4. James Dean and Marilyn Monroe..............

both studied at the Actor's Studio. They don't admit people who are not talented.:think:

[Zensea]

5. I knew that about Dean

, of course.
I'd forgotten it about Monroe.
I agree, they don't admit people who are not talented.

By the way, I wasn't saying that Monroe wasn't talented, but that that is not exactly why she's an American legend.

[Hieronymus]

6. Also, many actors have said that comedy is harder.........

to do than drama.

[terrya]

2. It's hard to say with only 3 films.

He was a good actor. But again, it was a very small body of work to judge.

[JohnKleeb]

7. Who?

:D
Kidding, I know who he is, havent seen any of his movies but he's an icon I guess you could say.