These photographs of James Dean were taken by his friend, photographer Roy Schatt, in 1954. The photos were taken in his New York City apartment and during rehearsals for the play The Thief.
The images depict Dean in various candid moments, sometimes “playing” with a statuette reproducing Rodin’s “The Thinker,” or simply lost in thought, offering a glimpse into his creative process during his New York theater days before he became a major film star.
“Dean didn’t always stick to the script.” – Roy Schatt
Schatt was the official photographer for the Actors Studio, where Dean was a student. The two became friends, and Dean, who had an interest in photography himself, even received mentorship from Schatt.
Leave a Reply