Stock, Dennis

The images in James Dean: A Memorial Portfolio were initially taken as a biographic photo-essay for Life magazine shortly before the actor’s death in 1955. Dennis Stock was a photojournalist who worked primarily in the format of multiple-picture essays. In addition to having held the first exclusive photo rights on James Dean, Stock extensively documented the behind-the scenes milieu of Hollywood stars and jazz celebrities.

Dennis Stock was born in New York in 1928. Stock was a member of Magnum Photos since 1951. His photographs have appeared in other major publications, including Paris Match and Stern. He worked as a writer, director, and producer for television and film, and exhibited his work at the Art Institute of Chicago; International Center of Photography, New York; Musée d’Art Moderne, Paris; Schirm Kunsthalle, Frankfurt; and the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York.