Back in 1955, James Dean tragically died in a car crash at just 24 having only starred in three movies. Before getting his big break in East of Eden, the cultural icon acted in smaller roles in five movies and it turns out the last of these was a John Wayne classic.
Since 1951 Dean had already had uncredited cameos in four other Hollywood movies, starring acting legends like Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Humphrey Bogart and Rock Hudson.
When it came to Wayne’s Trouble Along the Way, the young actor had another unbilled role as a Football Spectator. After this he hit the big time, beating Paul Newman to star in East of Eden, for which he was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar.
The 24-year-old followed up with Rebel Without a Cause and his 1956 posthumous release Giant, for which he also received an Academy Award nomination for his final role.
