High Strangeness Surrounding the Death of James Dean
Superstar James Dean before his death in 1955. Photo:Notable Biographies.
Movie Star James Dean was tragically killed in a car accident in 1955 at the age of 24. Dean had a premonition of his death and told several friends about it. Actor Alec Guinness also had a premonition of Dean’s death and warned him not to get in his new car. A week later he was dead.
Who was James Dean?
James Dean was an American actor who became a cultural icon after his untimely death in 1955. He appeared in only three films during his brief career, but they were all critical and commercial successes. Dean's most famous roles were in the films "Rebel Without a Cause," "East of Eden," and "Giant." Dean's death was widely mourned, and he has since become a symbol of teenage rebellion and disillusionment. He was the first actor to receive a posthumous Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and he remains a popular figure in American popular culture.
James Dean and the Porsche 550 Spyder
James Dean's Porsche 550 Spyder “Little Bastard”. Photo Automobile Catalog.
James Dean's Porsche 550 Spyder, also known as "Little Bastard," was a significant part of his personal and professional life. He purchased the car in 1955, shortly before his death. He was an avid car enthusiast and often entered in car races.
The Porsche 550 Spyder was a lightweight sports car that was popular among racers and enthusiasts of the time. The car had a top speed of 135 miles per hour and was known for its agility and handling.
Dean's association with the car has led to it becoming a legendary part of his legacy. The car was heavily damaged in the crash that killed Dean, and what was left of it was subsequently involved in a number of other accidents and mishaps. The remains of the car were eventually dismantled and the parts were sold as memorabilia.
Dean's death in the Porsche 550 Spyder has also led to the car becoming associated with bad luck and even a curse. Some people believe that the car was cursed and that those who came into contact with it were doomed to suffer a tragic fate.
Despite the tragic end, the Porsche 550 Spyder remains one of the most iconic cars of the 1950s and James Dean's association with it has only added to its legend.
James Dean Predicted His Own Death
James Dean had a reputation for being a rebel and a free spirit, and some of his friends and associates have said that he had a premonition of his own death. He reportedly spoke about his own death to several people, including his acting coach, and also had a fascination with the occult.
One example of this is when he told his friend William Bast, "I too am a seeker, but my dreams aren't like yours. I have a feeling I'm not going to live very long."
He also reportedly told photographer Dennis Stock, "I've got a strange feeling about my trip. I don't think I'm coming back."
Dean's close friend and racing rival Rolf Wutherich, who was also in the car during the accident, said that Dean had spoken to him about a recurring dream in which he saw himself in a coffin with people around him crying.
Alec Guiness Predited James Dean’s Death
There have been claims that Alec Guinness, the British actor who is best known for his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars franchise, had predicted James Dean's death before it occurred.
The story goes that Guinness and Dean had met on the set of the film "Giant," where Guinness played a small role. According to the story, Guinness warned Dean to stay away from fast cars and motorcycles, calling them "death traps."
Several months later Guinness and Dean met again outside a restaurant in Hollywood. Guinness couldn’t get a table at a restaurant and Dean asked him to join him at his table. Dean showed Guinness his brand new Porsche 550 Spyder before going in the restaurant. Guinness was overcome with a strange feeling upon seeing the car and before he could stop himself he said:
“Look, I won’t join your table unless you want me to, but I must say something: Please do not get into that car, because if you do’ — and I looked at my watch — and I said, ‘if you get into that car at all, it’s now Thursday (Friday, actually), 10 o’clock at night and by 10 o’clock at night next Thursday, you’ll be dead if you get into that car.'”
Less than a week later Dean entered the Salinas Road Race with his brand new car. On the way to the race, Dean’s car veered into the passenger side of a 1950 Ford Tudor that was turning left at an intersection on the highway.
The horrific accident left Dean with fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead in hospital an hour later.
Do you think the strange events surrounding James Dean’s death were paranormal or just a coincidence? Let us know in the comments.
If you found this story interesting you might also be interested in Rudolph Valentino’s cursed ring or Mike Marcum and his time machine.
Sources:
James Dean Biography on notablebiographies.com
The Porsche 550 Spyder on Automobile-Catalog.com
“Alec Guinness warned James Dean one week before his death: ‘Please do not get into that car!’“
