James Dean’s Secret Struggle: How Blackmail Nearly Ruined His Big Break
Iconic Hollywood rebel James Dean faced a hidden scandal that could have ended his career before it began according to a new book. In “Jimmy: The Secret Life of James Dean,” author Jason Colavito reveals that just weeks before the release of his first major film, East of Eden, Dean was blackmailed by his former lover, advertising executive Rogers Brackett. The book claims Dean paid $800—equivalent to nearly $9,400 today—to avoid a public scandal in the homophobic 1950s.
The relationship began in 1951, when Dean, then a parking valet near CBS studios, caught Brackett’s attention. Describing the encounter, Colavito writes that Brackett was “struck by the golden beauty of the youth who took his keys.”
Brackett, who worked on the radio drama Alias Jane Doe, soon helped Dean land a small role on the show. The pair grew close, with Brackett offering Dean financial and professional support, including covering hotel bills and introducing him to influential friends.
However, the relationship was far from smooth. Brackett reportedly said, “Jimmy was like a child. He behaved badly just to get attention.” The partnership eventually soured, and the two parted ways until their paths crossed again in 1955, just as Dean’s career was taking off.
By then, Brackett was unemployed and seeking funds for an opera project. He demanded $1,200 from Dean, obligating Dean for receiving Bracket’s support in the past. Colavito writes that Dean, who felt exploited by Brackett and his friends, was shocked. “The brazenness of the request shocked Dean, who had come to believe his time ‘dancing’ for Brackett’s friends had been abusive.”
Despite his initial refusal, Dean eventually agreed to pay $800 in weekly installments, fearing a lawsuit that Brackett had filed. The case never explicitly mentioned their affair, but the threat of exposure was enough. Dean’s agent reportedly convinced Warner Bros., the distributor of East of Eden, to pay Brackett a “finder’s fee” to secure his silence.
“This story has never been told before, and all parties involved worked hard to make sure no one ever found out,” Colavito said. “And for seventy years, no one did. The only reason we know about it today is that Dean’s agent secretly kept copies of his papers hidden away for decades.”
Dean died in a tragic car crash just six months after East of Eden premiered, leaving behind a legacy of talent and mystery. This revelation adds a poignant new layer to the life of Hollywood’s most enigmatic star.
