James Dean remains one of the most recognizable icons in cinema history despite his short career. His blend of raw talent and off-screen intensity defined a generation of actors.
This quiz covers various aspects of his life and career, ranging from his early television roles to his final films. We also look into the stories surrounding his infamous Porsche 550 and his obsession with speed.
If you enjoy this subject, check out our collections on Hollywood Legends, Troubled Productions, and the history of Golden Age Hollywood.
James Dean was born in which U.S. state in 1931?
New York
New York
Indiana
Indiana
California
California
Ohio
Ohio
In his pre-fame days, what unusual performance skill did James Dean reportedly practice?
Juggling
Juggling
Fire breathing
Fire breathing
Tightrope walking
Tightrope walking
Stilt walking
Stilt walking
What was James Dean’s first uncredited television work?
Coca-Cola commercial
Coca-Cola commercial
Dr Pepper commercial
Dr Pepper commercial
Sprite commercial
Sprite commercial
Pepsi commercial
Pepsi commercial
In which 1951 war film did James Dean have an uncredited role as a private?
Fixed Bayonets!
Fixed Bayonets!
Hill Number One
Hill Number One
Sailor Beware
Sailor Beware
Has Anybody Seen My Gal?
Has Anybody Seen My Gal?
Before his move to Hollywood, where did Dean hone his acting craft?
The Neighborhood Playhouse
The Neighborhood Playhouse
HB Studio
HB Studio
UCLA
UCLA
The Actors Studio
The Actors Studio
What was the first type of motorized vehicle that James Dean was obsessed with riding?
Stock cars
Stock cars
Go-karts
Go-karts
Formula One cars
Formula One cars
Motorcycles
Motorcycles
How did James Dean spend his time during the filming of ‘East of Eden’ in regards to his racing?
Repairing a pre-war roadster in his garage
Repairing a pre-war roadster in his garage
Taking lessons at a local speedway
Taking lessons at a local speedway
Competing in a professional rally race
Competing in a professional rally race
Driving around the set of East of Eden
Driving around the set of East of Eden
At which event did James Dean achieve his first notable success as a competitive driver?
Monaco Grand Prix
Monaco Grand Prix
Palm Springs Road Races
Palm Springs Road Races
Santa Barbara Street Races
Santa Barbara Street Races
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
What car did James Dean trade in to help purchase the Porsche 550 Spyder?
Porsche 356 Speedster
Porsche 356 Speedster
Lotus Eleven
Lotus Eleven
Triumph Tiger T110
Triumph Tiger T110
Jaguar XK120
Jaguar XK120
What nickname did Dean’s customizer, Dean Jeffries, paint onto his car?
Little Bastard
Little Bastard
Cursed Speedster
Cursed Speedster
Devil’s Carriage
Devil’s Carriage
Final Ride
Final Ride
Which famous actor reportedly warned James Dean that he would be killed if he drove his new Porsche 550 Spyder?
Alec Guinness
Alec Guinness
Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor
Dennis Hopper
Dennis Hopper
Natalie Wood
Natalie Wood
What was the cause of James Dean’s death in September 1955?
A tragic helicopter crash
A tragic helicopter crash
A fatal car accident in California
A fatal car accident in California
A high-speed motorcycle collision
A high-speed motorcycle collision
A plane crash in the desert
A plane crash in the desert
Why is James Dean’s car dubbed the ‘Little Bastard’ considered by some to be cursed?
Parts of the car were sold and later involved in other accidents
Parts of the car were sold and later involved in other accidents
The car was donated to a museum immediately
The car was donated to a museum immediately
The car was completely destroyed in the crash
The car was completely destroyed in the crash
The car was buried with the driver
The car was buried with the driver
Which of James Dean’s films had significant scenes deleted to shorten its theatrical runtime?
Rebel Without a Cause
Rebel Without a Cause
Giant
Giant
East of Eden
East of Eden
The James Dean Story
The James Dean Story
Which specific type of scene was cut from the final theatrical version of the film ‘Giant’?
A lengthy monologue by Jett Rink
A lengthy monologue by Jett Rink
A dance sequence at a party
A dance sequence at a party
A fight scene between Jett and Bick Benedict
A fight scene between Jett and Bick Benedict
A scene showing Jett Rink’s childhood in Texas
A scene showing Jett Rink’s childhood in Texas
Where were the long-lost, unused reels for the film ‘Giant’ reportedly discovered?
The Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution
Warner Bros. vault
Warner Bros. vault
Private estate in Texas
Private estate in Texas
A basement in California
A basement in California
Which musical hobby did James Dean frequently practice to relax between scenes?
Playing the bongo drums
Playing the bongo drums
Playing the acoustic guitar
Playing the acoustic guitar
Playing the harmonica
Playing the harmonica
Playing the piano
Playing the piano
What was the primary reason the film studio tried to limit Dean’s racing during production?
The studio restricted him to ensure his safety
The studio restricted him to ensure his safety
He was too busy learning his lines
He was too busy learning his lines
He was forbidden from racing while under contract
He was forbidden from racing while under contract
He did not have his competition license yet
He did not have his competition license yet
How did the film ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ creatively integrate Dean’s real-life obsession with speed?
The character is portrayed as a stunt pilot
The character is portrayed as a stunt pilot
The film features Dean working as a mechanic
The film features Dean working as a mechanic
Dean’s character is a professional race car driver
Dean’s character is a professional race car driver
The movie features a high-speed chicken race scene
The movie features a high-speed chicken race scene
What post-production challenge did the producers of ‘Giant’ face regarding Dean’s character?
His voice was dubbed by another actor due to his death
His voice was dubbed by another actor due to his death
His glasses were broken during a fight scene
His glasses were broken during a fight scene
He was too sick to finish the final scene
He was too sick to finish the final scene
His flight schedule conflicted with filming hours
His flight schedule conflicted with filming hours
Which specific legendary component-related mishap is often cited in the ‘curse’ folklore regarding James Dean’s Porsche 550 Spyder?
A tire exploding on the highway causing a flip
A tire exploding on the highway causing a flip
An engine component falling onto a mechanic’s legs
An engine component falling onto a mechanic’s legs
The chassis cracking during transport to a race
The chassis cracking during transport to a race
A steering wheel snapping off during a test drive
A steering wheel snapping off during a test drive
What was the intended purpose of the trip James Dean was taking in his Porsche on the final day of his life?
To drive it up to Salinas for a race meet
To drive it up to Salinas for a race meet
To show off to the cast of Rebel Without a Cause
To show off to the cast of Rebel Without a Cause
To trade it in for a newer model car
To trade it in for a newer model car
To fulfill a promise to his acting mentor
To fulfill a promise to his acting mentor
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Think you have mastered this topic? See how you fare with our other quizzes on Method Acting, Cult Classics, or Behind The Scenes.
