Remembering the Man Behind the Iconic Smiles
Carroll Baker will never forget those cherished moments shared with James Dean on the set of the 1956 film Giant. It was a time that left an indelible mark on her life, a period when two young actors found themselves intertwined in a world that was both enchanting and challenging.
“We had both gone to The Actors Studio in New York together, and when we arrived in Marfa, Texas, to shoot the film, everyone had to eat in one place — it was such a tiny town,” Carroll shared exclusively with Closer Weekly in the magazine’s latest issue, following a recent screening at NYC’s Film Forum. “James used to poke fun at Elizabeth Taylor whenever she showed up all dressed up, because we’d all just wear blue jeans. He would always sit with me — until Elizabeth befriended him, and then he never ate with me again!”
A Bond Forged in the World of Acting
Carroll, now 88 and still brimming with life and spirit, formed a deep bond with James during their time as students. "Nearly everyone at the Studio thought he was strange but incredibly gifted," she reminisces. "He had this aura that fascinated me. I used to stare at him, trying to decipher his thoughts. Whenever he caught me staring, he'd break into this lopsided grin that would light up the room."
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Despite the undeniable chemistry between the two, their relationship never blossomed into romance. "I came to the conclusion that Jimmy was, in fact, asexual," Carroll explains. "Girls I knew who had been close to Jimmy only spoke about how he held their hands, and how innocent and boyish he was—never crossing that line into anything physical."
Gossip and Speculation
Of course, that didn’t stop the Hollywood gossip columnists from spinning tales of a romance between James and Carroll, who was married to legendary Actors Studio teacher Jack Garfein during the filming of Giant. "Hedda Hopper wanted me to admit I was having a love affair with Jimmy!" Carroll exclaims. "It was so distasteful and unfair. Why should I have to deny such a blatant lie? It was a tough position to be in."
But it’s easy to see why people speculated, especially given some of the thrilling experiences Carroll had with James. During her first trip to Hollywood in 1955, he whisked her onto his gleaming silver motorcycle for a ride that left a lasting impression.
“We hit a bump and took a dip that left me breathless,” Carroll recalls with a gleam in her eye. “My thighs gripped the cold metal of the bike, my arms tightened around his waist, and I pressed my chest into his back. I could feel the heat of his body, the movement of his muscles, and the wind tearing at every inch of me that wasn’t pressed into either him or the machine. It was an exhilarating experience I’ll never forget.”
A Tragic End
Unfortunately, James’ passion for speed ultimately led to tragedy. At just 24 years old, he died in a car crash during a break from filming Giant. Director
