American Masters interviewed JAMES DEAN: SENSE MEMORIES filmmaker Gail Levin on making a film about the actor’s life and career. American Masters: What got you interested in this project?

PBS’ “American Masters” begins its 19th season Wednesday with a profile of James Dean, whose brief acting career included only three major movie roles before he died in a car accident on Sept.

Sixty years ago Sept. 30, near Salinas, Calif., Hollywood star James Dean died — spectacularly. Car accident. A guy pulled out in front of him in a large Ford. Dean, 24, drove a small Porsche.