Salvatore "Sal" Mineo, Jr. , was an American film and theatre actor, best known for his performance as John "Plato" Crawford opposite James Dean in the film Rebel Without a Cause. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor on two occasions; once for his role in Rebel Without a Cause, and also for his role as Dov Landau in Exodus. Mineo was born in The Bronx, the son of coffin makers Josephine and Salvatore Mineo, Sr. He was of Sicilian descent; his father was born in Italy and his mother had been born in the U.S. of Italian origin. His mother enrolled him in dancing and... acting school at an early age. He had his first stage appearance in The Rose Tattoo , a play by Tennessee Williams. He also played the young prince opposite Yul Brynner in the stage musical The King and I. Brynner took the opportunity to help Mineo better himself as an actor. As a teenager, Mineo appeared on ABC's musical quiz program Jukebox Jury, which aired in the 1953-1954 season. Mineo made several television appearances before making his screen debut in 1955 in the Joseph Pevney film Six Bridges to Cross.
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| Birthdate: | January 10, 1939 |
| Birthplace: | The Bronx |
| Date of death: | February 12, 1976 |
| Height: | 5' 6" |
| Also known as: | Salvatore Mineo, Jr., Salvatore Mineo Jr., Jr |