(Andy Warhol is supposed to have said that "James Dean is the guy you knew was dead before you knew who he was." There is a wry truth to that observation. Dean's sudden death in September 1955 captured the public imagination--especially that of teenagers who identified with Dean's image as a Hollywood outsider, a loner, a rebel. Overnight, James Dean became a cult hero. Magazines appeared with titles like You Can Make Jimmy Dean Live Forever and James Dean, the Boy I Loved. Dean's young fans flocked to the actor's favorite hangouts, Googie's, the Villa Capri--now both torn down--and Griffith Observatory where scenes from Dean's posthumous movie, Rebel Without a Cause, had been shot. In the 1960s, however, Dean's popularity faded as young people embraced more political heroes such as Allen Ginsberg and Humphrey Bogart. But with the advent of the 1970s, James Dean's legend was revived by the publication of several biographies. In the year 2000 Dean remains a solid icon to the young: his face adorning T-shirts, posters, even a popular postage stamp. Here, in an essay written for American Legends, a contemporary teenager explains her generation's attraction for the late James Byron Dean.)

     Less than five years ago, if someone mentioned the name James Dean, I would have had no clue whom they were talking about. Today, I own calendars, a larger-than-life cardboard cutout, a book, and many videos relating to the actor.

     I believe without even knowing it, every teenager in the world has a bit of Jimmy in them. He was a "rebel," and at one point or another we all go against our parents or our teachers. I wonder...if it weren't for him, would we all be goody-goodies? That's a question that will never be answered.

     James Dean wanted to live life to the fullest. He was quoted as saying, "Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." I think that this is something that everyone should follow. If you want to do something, or say something, then don't let anything get in your way. Things may not turn out the way you want, but at least you'll know. Take chances because you may only get one.

     Sadly, Jimmy was killed in a car accident taking a chance. People all over the world mourned his death. Even today people gather at the James Dean Festival (every September) to remember this legend.

     There are many great actors today, and I strongly believe that some of them will become legends. But they won't amount to James.