Full Name: Salvatore Mineo, Jr.
Nickname: The Switchblade Kid, Junior
Place of Birth: Harlem, New York, U.S.A.
Date of Birth: January 10, 1939
Date of Death:: February 12, 1976 (age 37)
Cause of Death: Homicide (West Hollywood, California)
Burial Site: Cemetery of the Gate of Heaven, Hawthome, New York

Born Salvatore Mineo, Jr. on January 10, 1939, Sal Mineo was a son of Sicilian immigrants. He showed his talent at a very young age when he was enrolling in a dancing and acting school. Theatrical productions like The Rose Tattoo and The King and I were some of his early works. Comparing to other young actors in his time, Mineo was considered to be very fortunate for having the chance to play against big names like Tom Curtis in Six Bridges to Cross (1955) before he turned legal. His biggest fortune came when he was starred as John 'Plato' Crawford in Nicholas Ray's Rebel Without A Cause in the same year. He received his first Academy nomination as Best Actor in a Supporting Role. He was only 16.

The second film role that earned Mineo his second Academy nomination was a Jewish character Dov Landau in Exodus (1960). Once again, his passionate and sensitive performance had won the hearts of millions. His performance was highly appreciated, for he was the only cast member who was even being nominated for the film. After Exodus, his film career would go on a downfall and eventually led him back to the stage, where his talent was first discovered.

During the filming of Exodus, Mineo had reportedly fallen in love with 15-year-old co-star Jill Haworth. The relationship was brief. Later he discover his growing interest in men. In one interview during the 1970's, he honestly declared his particular interest in "all men and a few chicks now and then". He was among the first Hollywood celebrities who talked about their bisexuality openly in public.

On February 12, 1976, Mineo returned home from a rehearsal of a play in Los Angeles. He was attacked by a stranger outside his apartment and was stabbed to death. Although a man named Lionel Ray Williams was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 1979, mystery still surrounded the actor's death. His last words were said to be "Oh my god! No! Help me, please!"

Rebel Without A Cause (1955) - as John 'Plato' Crawford
Exodus (1960) - as Dov Landau

1957
- Emmy Awards - Studio One (1948): episode "Dino" - Best Single Performance by an Actor (nominated)

1961
- Academy Awards - Exodus (1960) - Best Actor in a Supporting Role
- Golden Globes Awards - Exodus (1960) - Best Supporting Actor (won!)
- Golden Laurel Awards - Exodus (1960) - Top Male Supporting Performance (won!)

SalMineo.com
All about Sal Mineo
Sal Mineo: The Last Rebel
The Boze Hadleigh Interview of Sal Mineo in 1972
Sal Mineo at IMDB.com

AS PLATO

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