In 'Jimmy: The Secret Life of James Dean,' Jason Colavito reveals that Dean was blackmailed by his ex-lover, Rogers Brackett, jeopardizing his career on the eve of his breakthrough.
The blackmail incident unfolded when Dean was just days away from the premiere of 'East of Eden,' a move that would have devastating consequences in the homophobic atmosphere of the 1950s.
Colavito details how James Dean felt sexually exploited in his relationship with Rogers Brackett, stating, "I didn't know it was the whore who paid - I thought it was the other way around."
The blackmail amount of $800 represented a significant portion of annual income in that era, showing the desperate circumstances Dean was navigating on the cusp of fame.
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