Paul dano biography actor sal mineo is killed in hollywood february 12 1976

Salvatore Mineo Jr. January 10, — February 12, was an American actor. He was best known for his role as John "Plato" Crawford in the drama film Rebel Without a Cause , which earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor at age 17, making him the fifth-youngest nominee in the category. Mineo's sister Sarina — , brothers Michael — and Victor — were also actors.

He attended the Quintano School for Young Professionals [ 4 ] [ 5 ] and was one of the few Italian-American actors of his era to keep his surname, saying he was proud of his heritage and identity. Mineo's mother enrolled him in dancing and acting school at an early age.

Biographical film example

Brynner took the opportunity to help Mineo better himself as an actor. Mineo made several television appearances before making his screen debut in the Joseph Pevney film Six Bridges to Cross He beat out Clint Eastwood for the role. Mineo's breakthrough as an actor came in Rebel Without a Cause , in which he played John "Plato" Crawford, a sensitive teenager smitten with main character Jim Stark played by James Dean.

Many of his subsequent roles were variations of his role in Rebel Without a Cause , and he was typecast as a troubled teen. By the late s, Mineo was a major celebrity.

Biopics of 2012 and 1995

He was sometimes referred to as the "Switchblade Kid", a nickname he earned from his role as a criminal in the movie Crime in the Streets In , Mineo made a brief foray into pop music by recording a handful of songs and an album. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc. He appeared as the celebrity guest challenger on the June 30, , episode of What's My Line?