James Dean quotes

James Dean was an American actor who became a cultural icon of teenage disillusionment and rebellion. His most famous films include "Rebel Without a Cause," "East of Eden," and "Giant." He inspired generations with his intense performances and tragic early death. Here are 24 of his quotes:

The gratification comes in the doing, not in the results. (James Dean)

Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today.

James Dean

If a man can bridge the gap between life and death, if he can live on after he's dead, then maybe he was a great man.

James Dean

Trust and belief are two prime considerations. You must not allow yourself to be opinionated.

James Dean

I'm not going to go through life with one arm tied behind my back.

James Dean

Being a good actor isn't easy. Being a man is even harder. I want to be both before I'm done.

James Dean

When an actor plays a scene exactly the way a director orders, it isn't acting. It's following instructions. Anyone with the physical qualifications can do that.

James Dean

Only the gentle are ever really strong.

James Dean

My purpose in life does not include a hankering to charm society.

James Dean

I'm a serious-minded and intense little devil – terribly gauche and so tense that I don't see how people can stay in the same room as me. I know I couldn't tolerate myself.

James Dean

The only greatness for man is immortality. (James Dean)

Racing is the only time I feel whole.

James Dean

Studying cows, pigs and chickens can help an actor develop his character. There are a lot of things I learned from animals. One was that they couldn't hiss or boo me.

James Dean

To grasp the full significance of life is the actor's duty; to interpret it his problem; and to express it his dedication.

James Dean

An actor must interpret life, and in order to do so must be willing to accept all the experiences life has to offer. In fact, he must seek out more of life than life puts at his feet.

James Dean

I want to be a Texan 24 hours a day.

James Dean

I also became close to nature, and am now able to appreciate the beauty with which this world is endowed.

James Dean

But you can't show some far off idyllic conception of behavior if you want the kids to come and see the picture. You've got to show what it's really like, and try to reach them on their own grounds.

James Dean

There is no way to be truly great in this world. We are all impaled on the crook of conditioning.

James Dean

I think the one thing this picture shows that's new is the psychological disproportion of the kids' demands on the parents. Parents are often at fault, but the kids have some work to do, too.

James Dean

Being an actor is the loneliest thing in the world. You are all alone with your concentration and imagination, and that's all you have. (James Dean)

To my way of thinking, an actor's course is set even before he's out of the cradle.

James Dean

To grasp the full significance of life is the actor's duty; to interpret it his problem; and to express it his dedication. Being an actor is the loneliest thing in the world. You are all alone with your concentration and imagination, and that's all you have. Being a good actor isn't easy. Being a man is even harder. I want to be both before I'm done.

James Dean

To me, acting is the most logical way for people's neuroses to manifest themselves, in this great need we all have to express ourselves.

James Dean

James Dean

James Dean - Image

Occupation: American Actor
Born: February 8, 1931
Died: September 30, 1955
Quotes count: 24
Wikipedia: James Dean

Related authors

Marlon Brando 53

American Actor

Natalie Wood 32

American Actress

Sal Mineo 5

American Actor

Marilyn Monroe 310

American Actress

Rock Hudson 3

American Actor

Grace Kelly 24

American Actress

Paul Newman 47

American Actor

Gregory Peck 21

American Actor

Katharine Hepburn 76

American Actress

Elvis Presley 112

American Singer