Sal Mineo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sal Mineo
Mineo in 1973
Born	Salvatore Mineo Jr. (1939-01-10)January 10, 1939 The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Died	February 12, 1976(1976-02-12) (aged 37) West Hollywood, California, U.S.
Resting place	Gate of Heaven Cemetery
Other names	The Switchblade Kid
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1951–1976

Salvatore Mineo Jr. (born January 10, 1939 – died February 12, 1976) was a famous American actor. He was best known for his role as John "Plato" Crawford in the movie Rebel Without a Cause (1955). This role earned him a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor when he was only 17 years old. This made him one of the youngest people ever nominated in that category.

Mineo also starred in many other films. These included Crime in the Streets and Giant (both from 1956). He was also in Exodus (1960), where he won a Golden Globe award. He received another Academy Award nomination for his work in Exodus. Other notable films include The Longest Day (1962) and Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971).

Early Life and Acting Start

Mineo was born in The Bronx, New York City. His parents, Josephine and Salvatore Mineo Sr., made coffins for a living. His family came from Sicily, Italy. His father was born in Italy, and his mother's family was also Italian. Sal's sister Sarina and his brothers Michael and Victor also became actors.

Sal went to the Quintano School for Young Professionals. He was proud of his Italian heritage. He was one of the few Italian-American actors of his time who kept his real last name.

Becoming a Child Actor

Mineo's mother helped him start dancing and acting lessons when he was very young. His first time on stage was in a play called The Rose Tattoo (1951). He also played a young prince in the musical The King and I. In this play, he acted alongside the famous Yul Brynner. Brynner helped Mineo improve his acting skills.

Mineo also appeared on television as a teenager. He was on a music show called Jukebox Jury. He made his first movie appearance in Six Bridges to Cross (1955). He even got the part over another future star, Clint Eastwood. Mineo also got a role in The Private War of Major Benson (1955), acting with Charlton Heston.

Rise to Stardom

Mineo (left) with Sue George and John Saxon in a photo for Rock, Pretty Baby (1956).

Mineo became very famous after his role in Rebel Without a Cause (1955). In the movie, he played John "Plato" Crawford. Plato was a sensitive teenager who admired the main character, Jim Stark, played by James Dean. Mineo's performance was so good that he was nominated for an Academy Award. He was only 17, making him one of the youngest nominees ever.

After the movie, Mineo received thousands of fan letters. Young fans would crowd around him at public events. He was a big celebrity in Hollywood and New York.

In the movie Giant (1956), Mineo played Angel Obregon II. This was a Mexican boy who died in World War II. Many of his next roles were similar to his character in Rebel Without a Cause. He often played troubled teenagers. For example, in the Disney adventure Tonka (1958), Mineo played a young Sioux named White Bull. His character tamed a wild horse named Tonka, who later became the famous Comanche.

By the late 1950s, Mineo was a huge star. People sometimes called him the "Switchblade Kid." He got this nickname from his role as a criminal in the movie Crime in the Streets (1956).

In 1957, Mineo also tried singing. He recorded a few songs and an album. Two of his songs became Top 40 hits in the United States. One song, "Start Movin' (In My Direction)", reached number 9 on the Billboard pop chart. It sold over a million copies and earned a gold record. He also played the famous drummer Gene Krupa in the movie The Gene Krupa Story (1959).

Mineo worked hard to play different kinds of characters. He played a Native American in Tonka (1958) and a Mexican boy in Giant (1956). In Exodus (1960), he played a Jewish person who survived the Holocaust. For this role, he won a Golden Globe Award and got his second Academy Award nomination.

Career Changes

By the early 1960s, Mineo was getting older. He could no longer play the teenage roles that made him famous. He tried out for the movie Lawrence of Arabia (1962) but did not get the part. Mineo appeared in The Longest Day (1962), playing a soldier who died after landing in Sainte-Mère-Église. Mineo was confused by his sudden drop in popularity. He later said, "One minute it seemed I had more movie offers than I could handle; the next, no one wanted me."

Mineo in 1973.

Mineo was the model for a painting called The New Adam (1963). This painting is now in the Guggenheim Museum. Mineo also appeared on a TV show called The Patty Duke Show in 1964.

Mineo played a character who followed people in the movie Who Killed Teddy Bear (1965). This role did not help his career much. Even though critics liked his acting, he was again playing similar characters. A highlight from this time was his role as Uriah in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965). Mineo also appeared as a guest star in the TV series Combat! several times in 1966.

In 1969, Mineo went back to the stage. He directed a play in Los Angeles called Fortune and Men's Eyes. The play received good reviews. Mineo's last movie role was a small part in Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971). He played a chimpanzee named Dr. Milo.

In 1975, Mineo appeared in an episode of the TV show Columbo. One of his last roles was a guest spot on the TV series S.W.A.T. (1975). In this role, he played a leader of a group, similar to Charles Manson.

By 1976, Mineo's career was starting to improve. He was acting in a play called P.S. Your Cat Is Dead in San Francisco. He received many good reviews for his role. He then moved to Los Angeles with the play.

Personal Life

Mineo met English actress Jill Haworth while filming Exodus in 1960. They played young lovers in the movie. Mineo and Haworth were together for many years and were even engaged at one point. They remained very close friends until Mineo's death.

Death

Mineo's footstone in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in New York State.

On the night of February 12, 1976, Mineo was returning home from a play rehearsal. After parking his car, he was attacked and stabbed by someone. Mineo was buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and Nominations

See Also

In Spanish: Sal Mineo para niños

• List of youngest Academy Award nominees for Best Supporting Actor
• List of actors with Academy Award nominations