LOS ANGELES, CA.- More than 50 years after his death in 1955, James Dean is being honored with an official museum and a Performing Arts Center. Among the many celebrities serving on the benefit committee for the project are Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Dennis Hopper, Martin Sheen, Angela Lansbury, Mickey Rooney and Johnny Grant. Dean's cousin Marcus Winslow, who grew up with Dean and who is backing the project, will be among those present at the press conference at Spago's in Beverly Hills on Thursday, November 9th at 10:30 a.m. He will share his memories, as will several other well-known people who knew Dean, worked with him or simply were influenced by him.

Dean's enormous status as a cultural icon and his worldwide influence will be honored through this permanent center, located in the small midwestern town of Fairmount, Indiana, where he grew up and where he is buried.

The original stage, auditorium, and classrooms at Fairmount High School, where the young Dean was first exposed to acting, will be restored and transformed into the Performing Arts Center. Here, the Giant's legend will be carried forth in the tradition of the distinct style of method acting for which he was known.

"Our mission is to create a living tribute to the Rebel Without a Cause, and in the process preserve a beautiful and important building," says Pat Boone.

"Along with Elvis and Marilyn Monroe, James Dean's star is the most visited on the Hollywood Walk of Fame," says the honorary Mayor of Hollywood, Johnny Grant, who also will attend the press conference and talk about his friendship with Dean.