Nick Adams

Though never a major Hollywood star, actor Nick Adams nonetheless strove to become one through hard work, a will to succeed and cozying up to Hollywood stars. After landing a small role in "Mister Roberts" (1955), Adams struck up a friendship with James Dean and had a small part in "Rebel Without a Cause" (1955). Following Dean's sudden death in late 1955, Adams capitalized on their friendship to gain publicity, while also glomming onto Elvis Presley during the King's movie debut, "Love Me Tender" (1956). From there, Adams ingratiated himself into any social circle he could, which typically paid off with guest starring roles on multiple television shows and supporting parts on the big screen. Adams began taking matters into his own hands when he created and starred in his own series, "The Rebel" (ABC, 1959-1961), which earned critical acclaim during its three seasons on air. He continued to travel back and forth between television and film, landing another acclaimed role on the short-lived series "Saints and Sinners" (NBC, 1962-63) while appearing opposite Steve McQueen in "Hell is for Heroes" (1962). He reached the height of his film career with his Oscar-nominated performance in "Twilight of Honor" (1963), but slipped into personal and professional travails following marriage difficulties and a worsening dependence on prescription drugs. Adams made a number of bad sci-fi films in Japan and the States before dying of a drug overdose in 1968, leaving behind a legacy that asked not what was, but what could have been.