An explosive new book reveals that James Dean paid a former lover to prevent an outing that could have destroyed his rising Hollywood career, the New York Post reported.
James Dean, celebrated as a symbol of youthful rebellion through his 1950s film roles, encountered a personal crisis during his ascent to fame. Jason Colavito’s forthcoming book, Jimmy: The Secret Life of James Dean, scheduled for release next Tuesday, details how the actor became ensnared in a blackmail plot orchestrated by his former lover, Rogers Brackett.
Their connection started in 1951 when Dean, working as a parking valet near CBS studios, met Brackett, a radio drama producer. Brackett, impressed by Dean's charm and talent, cast him in the radio play Alias Jane Doe. As their professional relationship grew, it deepened into a romantic and eventually tumultuous affair.
Over time, their relationship soured, prompting both men to follow separate paths. Dean moved to New York City, while Brackett relocated to Chicago. Despite their fallout, Brackett continued supporting Dean financially, providing him with $1,000 to cover personal expenses, including hotel bills and gifts.
In March 1955, Brackett stirred trouble by demanding $1,200 from Dean to fund an opera, claiming it as repayment for earlier support. When Dean refused, Brackett threatened legal action and vowed to expose their past relationship, a revelation that could have destroyed Dean’s budding career.
Dean defended his public image and personal integrity by agreeing to pay Brackett off. They settled on $800, to be paid in weekly installments of $100. This financial exchange unfolded against the backdrop of the impending premiere of East of Eden, a film poised to solidify Dean's place in Hollywood.
Warner Bros., the powerhouse behind East of Eden, became indirectly entangled in the duo’s dispute. The studio paid Brackett a "finder's fee" to secure his silence and prevent him from interfering with the film’s release or Dean's burgeoning career.
The secrecy surrounding the affair was meticulous, with even Dean’s agent going to lengths to keep documentation out of the public eye. According to Colavito, "This story has never been told before, and all parties involved worked hard to make sure no one ever found out."
While researching for the book, Jason Colavito uncovered hidden documents that Dean’s agent had secretly preserved. These documents, undisclosed for seventy years, revealed detailed correspondence and legal threats that hinted at the potential fallout if the affair became public.
The revelation of these events casts a new light on Dean's struggles and the complexities of his relationships. Brackett's comments elucidate the dynamics between him and Dean, describing a relationship that oscillated between paternal and romantic affection, "Jimmy was like a child. He behaved badly just to get attention. He was a kid I loved, sometimes parentally, sometimes not parentally."
The scenario reveals the intense pressure and manipulation that drove Hollywood’s golden era. It also exposes the precarious balance actors maintained between their personal lives and public personas, especially during a time when the industry and society showed little acceptance of diverse sexual identities.
The publication of Jimmy: The Secret Life of James Dean promises to shed light on the private life of one of America’s most iconic figures, uncovering the often harrowing realities they endured behind the glimmer of the silver screen.
