List of James Dean Oscar nominations
Posted: April 2026
List of Oscar nominations for James Dean. James Dean was nominated for 2 Academy Awards, each posthumously. Year indicates year/period for which films were eligible for awards consideration, not year of ceremony. Sources: Oscars.org, Internet Movie Database, Wikipedia
1956: Giant (Best Actor) (Posthumous) — lost to Yul Brynner (The King and I). Other nominees: Rock Hudson (Giant), Kirk Douglas (Lust for Life), Laurence Olivier (Richard III)
1955: East of Eden (Best Actor) (Posthumous) — lost to Ernest Borgnine (Marty). Other nominees: Frank Sinatra (The Man with the Golden Arm), James Cagney (Love Me or Leave Me), Spencer Tracy (Bad Day at Black Rock)
James Dean also appeared in “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955) as well as numerous TV programs. Born in Marion, Ind., Dean died in a two-car accident in the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 30, 1955, on U.S. Route 466 (now SR 46) near Cholame, California. The car Dean was driving was a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder.
Grace Kelly announces the Best Actor nominees, including
James Dean (posthumous), at the 1956 Oscars