James Dean was blackmailed by ‘desperate’ lover who could have destroyed his career: book

Just days before James Dean’s first movie premiered, the actor reportedly paid off a disgruntled male lover who threatened to expose their relationship.

The agreement, which remained a secret for seven decades, is unveiled in a new book, "Jimmy: The Secret Life of James Dean." The star died in a car accident at age 24 in 1955.

"James Dean had been blackmailed by a former lover," author Jason Colavito claimed to Fox News Digital about the "Rebel Without a Cause" icon.

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