A shocking revelation about James Dean's early life emerges from conversations with Elizabeth Taylor during the filming of Giant.

According to Daily Mail, the Rebel Without a Cause star confessed to Elizabeth Taylor that he had been sexually abused by his childhood Methodist minister, Reverend James DeWeerd, who locals nicknamed "Dr Weird."

The relationship between Dean and DeWeerd began when the minister arrived in Fairmount, Indiana, during Dean's teenage years. At the time, Dean was living with his Quaker aunt and uncle after losing his mother to cancer at age nine and being sent away by his father.

Minister's Sophisticated Persona Masked Darker Intent

DeWeerd, who was 15 years older than Dean, presented himself as a cultured and worldly figure in the small town. His background included service as an army chaplain, studies in England, and claimed connections to Winston Churchill. The minister's knowledge of art, literature, and music set him apart from others in the community.

Jason Colavito's book "Jimmy: The Secret Life of James Dean" reveals that DeWeerd had a pattern of targeting teenage boys. Under the pretense of spiritual guidance, he would take young men to the YMCA and museum visits and allegedly request them to swim nude with him.

The minister's grand home, filled with antiques and surrounded by flower gardens, became a regular meeting place for Dean. They would spend hours discussing philosophy and poetry, with DeWeerd later claiming to have sparked Dean's interests in theater, car racing, and bullfighting.

Complex Relationship Left Lasting Impact on Dean

As noted by DeWeerd himself, Dean spent considerable time in his library. The minister shared Dean's words about his internal struggles: "I taught Jim that he was depraved and vile, that he had to seek salvation."

The relationship intensified during Dean's final two years of high school. Press stories that emerged after Dean's death at age 24 suggested the relationship had become sexual, with Paul Alexander's 1994 book "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" asserting that Dean likely lost his virginity to DeWeerd.

Elizabeth Taylor's Delayed Revelation Adds Credibility

Elizabeth Taylor discussed Dean's confessions during a 1997 interview, though she requested the information remain private until after her death. The conversations occurred while filming Giant, Dean's final movie, before his fatal car crash on September 30, 1955.

DeWeerd, who later gained national recognition as an evangelist and television preacher, maintained a public silence about the nature of their relationship. Notably, he was one of two ministers who officiated at Dean's funeral, where he read a poem by John G. Neihardt containing poignant lines about a quick departure at life's peak.

Dean himself maintained strategic ambiguity about his sexuality throughout his brief life, stating: "I'm not homosexual. But I am also not going through life with one hand tied behind my back."

Revelations Echo Through Hollywood History

The story adds another layer to Dean's complex legacy in Hollywood. His rumored relationships included both men and women, from Rock Hudson and Marlon Brando to Marilyn Monroe.

Days before his breakthrough in East of Eden, Dean reportedly paid $800 to former lover Rogers Brackett to prevent being outed as gay in homophobic 1950s America.

These revelations paint a portrait of a troubled young man whose early experiences shaped his brief but impactful life. Dean's relationship with DeWeerd appears to have profoundly influenced his artistic development while potentially contributing to his internal struggles.

Why This Story Matters

This story underscores the complexity of human relationships and the profound impact they can have on our mental well-being.

It also highlights the importance of discussing and addressing mental health issues and abuse openly within our community to foster safer and more supportive environments.

Final Chapter of Complex Legacy

The story of James Dean and Reverend James DeWeerd represents a dark chapter in Hollywood history. The relationship between the teenage Dean and his minister occurred during his formative years in Fairmount, Indiana, after the tragic loss of his mother and separation from his father.

DeWeerd's influence extended beyond the alleged abuse, shaping Dean's artistic interests while potentially deepening his emotional turmoil. The revelations, confirmed through Elizabeth Taylor's posthumously released interview, add new understanding to the complex life of an actor whose career was cut tragically short at age 24.