Here's a story that will tug at your heartstrings. Keith Gordon, son of James Dean's former flame Barbara Glenn, inherited a collection of letters from the iconic actor. These weren't just any letters—they were filled with raw emotion, humor, and the complexities of love. "I had two deathbed requests from my parents," Keith shares with Closer. His mom urged him to keep the letters, while his dad insisted he get rid of them. "I’ve always felt there was no way to win," he admits.
James Dean and Barbara Glenn: A Complicated Love Story
Before James Dean became the face of rebellion in Rebel Without a Cause, he was a young man navigating the complexities of love with New York actress Barbara Glenn. The couple met through actor Martin Landau, and their bond was as much about friendship as it was about romance. "It was a weird mix of romance and friendship," Keith reflects. Even after Jimmy moved to California to pursue his acting career, the connection remained strong. Keith eventually sold three of the letters through Christie’s in London in 2011 but decided to hold onto several others, preserving a piece of history.
James Dean: The Man Behind the Legend
The letters offer a glimpse into the real James Dean, a man who was as passionate about his craft as he was about his relationships. "I got the sense from his letters that he was very obsessed with his work, his art, and doing a good job," Keith explains. "He didn’t suffer fools gladly, but he had a really good sense of humor." These letters confirm many of the characteristics attributed to Jimmy, including his intense focus and occasional aloofness. They also reveal a side of him that fans might not have seen—a side filled with vulnerability and longing.
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Love, Loneliness, and Long-Distance Challenges
Jimmy's letters to Barbara are filled with heartfelt expressions of love and loneliness. "There were a lot of sweet things like ‘I miss you’ and ‘It’s so hard to be so far away,’” Keith reveals. These words paint a picture of a man who, despite his rising fame, struggled with the emotional weight of distance. "He seemed like this intense, somewhat lonely, and a little confused guy," Keith adds. The letters capture the ups and downs of their relationship, highlighting the complexity of their connection.
Unraveling the Secrets of Jimmy's Letters
In one letter, Jimmy expresses disapproval of Barbara accepting a swimsuit modeling job. "He got really moralistic with my mom and said she was selling herself out cheap," Keith recalls. This reaction, which seems oddly possessive, highlights the complexities of their relationship. "He decided she was prostituting herself, which is odd because they weren’t naked pictures," Keith adds with a chuckle. "I found it so funny since they were all from this super-hip 1950s crowd." It's a reminder that even icons like James Dean were human, with all the quirks and contradictions that come with it.
A Family Secret and a Love That Lasted
Keith grew up knowing little about his mother's relationship with James Dean. "It was this weird semi-family secret because my dad was super jealous," he admits. Mark Gordon, Keith's father and a successful actor and stage director, had every reason to feel that way. Barbara's romance with Jimmy was a defining chapter in her life. "I think it was the love of her life," Keith reflects. "She was a couple of years younger than him, and I think it was her first big romance." Even though Jimmy and Barbara parted ways, their bond remained special.
Jimmy's Final Words: A Heartfelt Blessing
In one of his last letters to Barbara, Jimmy expressed his approval of her relationship with Mark. "In the last letter from Jimmy to my mom, he says that my dad was a good man," Keith shares. "He said that what they had was too crazy and was never going to work. He was really happy that she was with someone who was stable and sane. He was sort of giving her his blessing." This letter holds a special place in Keith's heart. "It’s really sweet and personal," he says. "And it’s one I like the most because it actually sort of connects to my own coming into existence!"
