James Dean's Blackmail Revealed in New Biography

A forthcoming biography, 'Jimmy: The Secret Life of James Dean', reveals that James Dean was blackmailed by his former lover, Rogers Brackett, just before the release of his breakout film, 'East of Eden'. Dean reportedly paid Brackett $800—equivalent to about $14,500 today—to prevent the revelation of his sexuality, which could have jeopardized his career in the homophobic climate of 1950s Hollywood. The relationship between Dean and Brackett began in 1951 when they met at a parking lot near CBS studios, and although Brackett initially supported Dean's acting ambitions, their affair turned exploitative. As Dean's career began to take off, their relationship soured, leading to Brackett's demands for money under the threat of public exposure. The book, authored by Jason Colavito, highlights the complexities of Dean's personal life and the pressures he faced in an era marked by strict societal norms about masculinity and sexuality. This significant episode in Dean's life remained largely hidden until now, shedding light on the struggles of a Hollywood icon.