After moving to a new town, troublemaking teen Jim Stark is supposed to have a clean slate, although being the new kid in town brings its own problems. While searching for some stability, Stark forms a bond with a disturbed classmate, Plato, and falls for local girl Judy. However, Judy is the girlfriend of neighborhood tough, Buzz. When Buzz violently confronts Jim and challenges him to a drag race, the new kid's real troubles begin.
James Dean | Jim Stark |
Natalie Wood | Judy |
Sal Mineo | John 'Plato' Crawford |
Ann Doran | Mrs. Carol Stark |
Jim Backus | Frank Stark |
Corey Allen | Buzz Gunderson |
William Hopper | Judy's Father |
Rochelle Hudson | Judy's Mother |
Dennis Hopper | Goon |
Edward Platt | Ray Fremick |
Steffi Sidney | Mil |
Virginia Brissac | Mrs. Stark, Jim's grandmother |