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Dizzy & Jimmy: My Life with James Dean: A Love Story
A long time ago, when I was a young dancer in
New York City, I fell in love with Jimmy Dean
and he fell in love with me.
So begins this beguiling memoir of Liz "Dizzy" Sheridan's passionate yet ill-fated romance with the young, magnetic, soon-to-be-supernova James Dean. The year was 1951. Dean had recently arrived in Manhattan in search of Broadway stardom. Sheridan was a tall, graceful aspiring dancer. They met one rainy afternoon in the parlor of the Rehearsal Club, a chaperoned boardinghouse for young actresses -- and before long Dizzy and Jimmy were inseparable. Together they hunted for jobs, haunted all-night bars and diners, and gloried in the innocent rebellion of early-'50s bohemian New York. Dizzy Sheridan and James Dean were lovers; they lived together; as even ardent Dean fans may be surprised to learn, they were engaged to be married. But when Dean began to find success on the Broadway stage and then was lured to Hollywood, the couple parted amid tears and broken dreams -- dreams that would be dashed forever when Dean died in a car crash in 1955, not long after seeing Dizzy for the last time.
Dizzy & Jimmy marks the first time Liz Sheridan has written about this joyous yet ill-starred romance. She brings us closer than we have ever been to the vibrant young actor before he became a Hollywood icon, capturing his unstudied charm, his complicated psyche, the spontaneous delight he took from the world around him, and the passion he invested in his work and life. It is a journey that takes in many locales, from Dean's boyhood home in Fairmount, Indiana, to Sheridan's recuperative travels through the Caribbean after their breakup. But at its heart Dizzy & Jimmy is the story of a love affair with Manhattan -- of nights spent stealing kisses in Times Square, sharing a walkup in the Hargrave Hotel, dancing after hours beneath the stars in Grand Central Station. And in Sheridan's bittersweet, embraceable telling, it becomes a story no reader, Dean fan or otherwise, will soon forget.
New York City, I fell in love with Jimmy Dean
and he fell in love with me.
So begins this beguiling memoir of Liz "Dizzy" Sheridan's passionate yet ill-fated romance with the young, magnetic, soon-to-be-supernova James Dean. The year was 1951. Dean had recently arrived in Manhattan in search of Broadway stardom. Sheridan was a tall, graceful aspiring dancer. They met one rainy afternoon in the parlor of the Rehearsal Club, a chaperoned boardinghouse for young actresses -- and before long Dizzy and Jimmy were inseparable. Together they hunted for jobs, haunted all-night bars and diners, and gloried in the innocent rebellion of early-'50s bohemian New York. Dizzy Sheridan and James Dean were lovers; they lived together; as even ardent Dean fans may be surprised to learn, they were engaged to be married. But when Dean began to find success on the Broadway stage and then was lured to Hollywood, the couple parted amid tears and broken dreams -- dreams that would be dashed forever when Dean died in a car crash in 1955, not long after seeing Dizzy for the last time.
Dizzy & Jimmy marks the first time Liz Sheridan has written about this joyous yet ill-starred romance. She brings us closer than we have ever been to the vibrant young actor before he became a Hollywood icon, capturing his unstudied charm, his complicated psyche, the spontaneous delight he took from the world around him, and the passion he invested in his work and life. It is a journey that takes in many locales, from Dean's boyhood home in Fairmount, Indiana, to Sheridan's recuperative travels through the Caribbean after their breakup. But at its heart Dizzy & Jimmy is the story of a love affair with Manhattan -- of nights spent stealing kisses in Times Square, sharing a walkup in the Hargrave Hotel, dancing after hours beneath the stars in Grand Central Station. And in Sheridan's bittersweet, embraceable telling, it becomes a story no reader, Dean fan or otherwise, will soon forget.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1975
6 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
About the author
Liz Sheridan
2 books2 followersElizabeth Ann Sheridan was an American actress and dancer. While best known for her roles as Jerry's mother in Seinfeld and the nosy neighbor, Mrs. Ochmonek, on sitcom ALF, her decades-long career was extensive and included work on the stage and large and small screens.
While working as a dancer in New York City nightclubs, Sheridan met the then-unknown James Dean. She wrote a book, Dizzy & Jimmy: My Life with James Dean: A Love Story, chronicling their time together in the early 1950s. In it, she describes them as each other's first romantic love. "We had great times... We didn't want to be apart. We found a place and lived together... [before he really hit it big]."
Dean pursued work on the stage in New York City, with film roles in Hollywood soon to follow. Without sure footing or a serious plan, forging a future was not an option, thus bringing about the end of their relationship. "He was being hauled away into this career, and I couldn't follow him," she said in an interview.
Sheridan died on April 15, 2022, at her home in Manhattan, aged 93.
While working as a dancer in New York City nightclubs, Sheridan met the then-unknown James Dean. She wrote a book, Dizzy & Jimmy: My Life with James Dean: A Love Story, chronicling their time together in the early 1950s. In it, she describes them as each other's first romantic love. "We had great times... We didn't want to be apart. We found a place and lived together... [before he really hit it big]."
Dean pursued work on the stage in New York City, with film roles in Hollywood soon to follow. Without sure footing or a serious plan, forging a future was not an option, thus bringing about the end of their relationship. "He was being hauled away into this career, and I couldn't follow him," she said in an interview.
Sheridan died on April 15, 2022, at her home in Manhattan, aged 93.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 26, 2012
I'm not so sure how accurate this book truly is since it's taken primarily from Liz's memories. She apparently destroyed all their love letters etc after his death over 50 years ago and after that length of time with the grief and emotional traumas she claims to have experienced, the facts and details can become altered in one's mind. Besides I did find several errors within it. Perhaps, it should have been proofread first by someone else who knew him. I live about 15 miles from Fairmount IN, where James grew up on the Winslow farm and even closer to Marion IN where he was born, and we locals read about him in the newspapers quite often, especially whenever his birthday rolls around, then again each September when its time for the world famous James Dean festival. Plus articles, books and many of his personal items are on display in our local museums and libraries. With all this around me, I wanted to learn more about his mysteriously private, romantic side. Needless to say I was quite surprised to learn all this about Liz Sheridan, for honestly I had never heard much about her before. The very best I can do is give this book 2 stars. Actually, I wish I hadn't read it. I wish I'd just kept this side of Jimmy a mystery unto myself. Hummmm...perhaps Liz should come here to the next festival, have a book signing and Mark(ie)could share his memories of their visit to the farm all those years ago when he was a child. I don't know if that's ever been done ..... just a thought.
April 16, 2008
I really don't know what my sudden fascination with James Dean is but I really find him intriguing. Therefore, I really enjoyed this book. I also found it interesting that he had a love affair with the actress/dancer who played Jerry Seinfeld's mom on Seinfeld. They were such an impulsive, almost child-like couple. In reading this book and others about James Dean I have come to the conclusion that I probably wouldn't have liked him as a person, but he is a very talented actor and I find his life fascinating.
August 23, 2012
I ran across this book at the Library and I thought it looked very interesting. I love the idea of hearing a love story about someone famous, before they were famous! You always hear talk about James Dean, this Sexy Icon of the 50's. I couldn't wait to read about him from the point of view of a an old flame.
This was certainly a lovey dovey story. I enjoyed hearing about it all, it was a little over the top here and there, but it was the 50's and things were certainly different back then. James Dean really didn't seem like the hearthrob I thought he'd be, yes they said romatic things here and there, but he really seemed to be a haunted kind of guy, even to those close to him. He really came off to me as a guy really in touch with his emotions. Things really got to him.
Dizzy, was a corky young dancer and she was just head over heels for him, I couldn't understand the split since they both seemed to still really love each other but I think Dizzy, just wasn't comfortable with the fact that Jimmy had a sort of affair with a man.
This put me off a little too. I was quiet suprised about it, I hadn't heard this ever before. I googled it after I read it, and found out that a lot of people heard of his outings with men. It kind of seemed to me like he was doing this stuff just for fame. I guess that happens a lot, but it struck me as odd.
I still really enjoyed it all. At the end when Dizzy learned of Jimmy's death it really hit me emotionally, she saw a his movie and in it, he said something exactly the way he'd always said it to her. I was in instant tears. I felt like it gave her some sort of closure. But putting myself in her shoes, I can just imagine how emotional it must have been for her.
This was certainly a lovey dovey story. I enjoyed hearing about it all, it was a little over the top here and there, but it was the 50's and things were certainly different back then. James Dean really didn't seem like the hearthrob I thought he'd be, yes they said romatic things here and there, but he really seemed to be a haunted kind of guy, even to those close to him. He really came off to me as a guy really in touch with his emotions. Things really got to him.
Dizzy, was a corky young dancer and she was just head over heels for him, I couldn't understand the split since they both seemed to still really love each other but I think Dizzy, just wasn't comfortable with the fact that Jimmy had a sort of affair with a man.
This put me off a little too. I was quiet suprised about it, I hadn't heard this ever before. I googled it after I read it, and found out that a lot of people heard of his outings with men. It kind of seemed to me like he was doing this stuff just for fame. I guess that happens a lot, but it struck me as odd.
I still really enjoyed it all. At the end when Dizzy learned of Jimmy's death it really hit me emotionally, she saw a his movie and in it, he said something exactly the way he'd always said it to her. I was in instant tears. I felt like it gave her some sort of closure. But putting myself in her shoes, I can just imagine how emotional it must have been for her.
August 1, 2010
I really enjoyed this book.
The story of a love affair between two aspiring artists and New York City. What happens when one artist hits it and the other doesn't? At one point she says something to the effect that she hopes she will have "the grace to leave with class or possibly the class to leave with grace."
She shows us a picture of the young James Dean (I know, he died young), before he was a star. But he always liked to drive fast. And apparently she did, too. Or, maybe she picked it up from him.
One part I enjoyed was when the two of them and a mutual friend decided to hitchhike to Fairmount, Indiana - Jimmy's home. He shows her all around the farm. They each get roped into giving a lecture to his old drama teacher's class about life as actual artist.
It is funny and kind of sad, too, because you know the ending. But it was a very nice love story. And it all takes place against the backdrop of New York City and playing in Central Park.
The story of a love affair between two aspiring artists and New York City. What happens when one artist hits it and the other doesn't? At one point she says something to the effect that she hopes she will have "the grace to leave with class or possibly the class to leave with grace."
She shows us a picture of the young James Dean (I know, he died young), before he was a star. But he always liked to drive fast. And apparently she did, too. Or, maybe she picked it up from him.
One part I enjoyed was when the two of them and a mutual friend decided to hitchhike to Fairmount, Indiana - Jimmy's home. He shows her all around the farm. They each get roped into giving a lecture to his old drama teacher's class about life as actual artist.
It is funny and kind of sad, too, because you know the ending. But it was a very nice love story. And it all takes place against the backdrop of New York City and playing in Central Park.
June 27, 2013
I have always thought that Liz Sheridan was a classy lady and a fantasic actress, but this book brought me even more respect for her. I'll admit that a tough cookie like me bawled like a baby at the end of the book, not so much over the death of Dean, but over the aching sense of loss that this book brought. Being a huge Dean fan, I have often lamented the death of such a amazing man, but this book brings it to a personal level. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, even if they are not a fan of James Dean, because everyone can relate to this story of love lost. Kudos to Liz Sheridan for sharing such a personal part of her life
March 19, 2011
I found this fascinating!!! Practically every book I've read about the enigmatic James Dean details with almost fiendish delight his seemingly difficult nature. This book concentrates on his more endearing qualities. I think his personality was unformed and that he was shy, insecure, socially inept and, quite probably, mentally ill. Dizzy Sheridan was fortunate to know and to live with the singularly talented James Dean in a time, the 1950s, when young men and women just didn't do that ! I loved reading about bohemian New York, their seedy apartment, the trials of the Starving Artists. This unique story was delightful, told in an unaffected way.
April 3, 2009
I don't go around handing out 5 star ratings. And in the end there is nothing special about the way this book is written, but the story is so riveting. You forget that it's nonfiction. I bought this book for a dollar, and it was the best dollar I've ever spent. For anyone who has ever marveled at James Dean, rented all of his movies and had a Dean Weekend, or sat up endless hours and researched his life online...this book gives you a whole new perspective and makes him that much more enigmatic and appealing and tragic. And you'll want to find Liz Sheridan and give her a giant hug.
April 25, 2007
If only I were born sixty years earlier...my obsession with James Dean is eternal and this book is a beautiful portrait of the boy behind the brooding mumbles.
August 14, 2007
During my James Dead obsessed teens I read several books about him. This is one of the few to actually seem to be based in fact.
May 27, 2012
Notes From The Author— "A long time ago, when I was a young dancer in New York City, I fell in love with Jimmy Dean and he fell in love with me." So begins this beguiling memoir of Liz "Dizzy" Sheridan's passionate yet ill-fated romance with the young, magnetic, soon to be supernova James Dean. The year was 1951. Dean had recently arrived in Manhattan in search of Broadway stardom. Sheridan was a tall, graceful aspiring dancer. They met one rainy afternoon in the parlor of the Rehearsal Club, a chaperoned boardinghouse for young actresses— and before long Dizzy and Jimmy were inseparable. Together they hunted for jobs, haunted all-night bars and diners, and gloried in the innocent rebellion of early-'50s bohemian New York. Dizzy Sheridan and James Dean were lovers; they lived together; as even ardent Dean fans may be surprised to learn, they were engaged to be married. But when Dean began to find success on the Broadway stage and then was lured to Hollywood, the couple parted amid tears and broken dreams— dreams that would be dashed forever when Dean tragically died in a car crash in 1955, not long after seeing Dizzy for the last time.
Dizzy & Jimmy marks the first time Liz Sheridan has written about this joyous yet ill-starred romance. She brings us closer than we have ever been to the vibrant young actor before he became a Hollywood icon, capturing his unstudied charm, his complicated psyche, the spontaneous delight he took from the world around him, and the passion he invested in his work and life. It is a journey that takes in many locales, from Dean's boyhood home in Fairmount, Indiana, to Sheridan's recuperative travels through the Caribbean after their breakup. But at its heart Dizzy & Jimmy is the story of a love affair with Manhattan— of nights spent stealing kisses in Times Square, sharing a walkup in the Hargrave Hotel, dancing after hours beneath the stars in Grand Central Station. And in Sheridan's bittersweet, embraceable telling, it becomes a story no reader, Dean fan or otherwise, will soon forget. Liz Sheridan is perhaps best known today for her role as Jerry Seinfeld's mother, Helen, on the landmark television series 'Seinfeld,' and as the eccentric neighbor Mrs. Ochmonek on Alf. She is a veteran stage actress with featured roles in eight Broadway shows. Married to jazz musician Dale Wales, Sheridan lives in Studio City, California.
Dizzy & Jimmy marks the first time Liz Sheridan has written about this joyous yet ill-starred romance. She brings us closer than we have ever been to the vibrant young actor before he became a Hollywood icon, capturing his unstudied charm, his complicated psyche, the spontaneous delight he took from the world around him, and the passion he invested in his work and life. It is a journey that takes in many locales, from Dean's boyhood home in Fairmount, Indiana, to Sheridan's recuperative travels through the Caribbean after their breakup. But at its heart Dizzy & Jimmy is the story of a love affair with Manhattan— of nights spent stealing kisses in Times Square, sharing a walkup in the Hargrave Hotel, dancing after hours beneath the stars in Grand Central Station. And in Sheridan's bittersweet, embraceable telling, it becomes a story no reader, Dean fan or otherwise, will soon forget. Liz Sheridan is perhaps best known today for her role as Jerry Seinfeld's mother, Helen, on the landmark television series 'Seinfeld,' and as the eccentric neighbor Mrs. Ochmonek on Alf. She is a veteran stage actress with featured roles in eight Broadway shows. Married to jazz musician Dale Wales, Sheridan lives in Studio City, California.
May 7, 2013
Liz sheridan shares her story about her relationship with James Dean. As she tells her story of Jimmy the out of work actor not the icon we know him as today you get swept up in their romance. I personally enjoyed getting know what Jimmy was like before he made it big and how he was on a day to day basis. If you are a JD fan, a classic movie fan, or just like to read about a good romance this book is a great one. i loved it.
May 28, 2019
Not sure how much of this is factual and at times it's down right unbelievable. The dialogue between her and Dean seems way over the top and a bit made up to make for a good love story. Also, considering this is all from her memory and the only "proof" (their letters) were destroyed by Sheridan makes me wonder even more if this entire affair happened the way she claims. Overall, it was a decent read. Wouldn't recommend it though.
August 6, 2017
Possible SPOILERS ahead
I'm not sure if i believe everything in this book, especially since she burnt their letters. I've read a lot about James Dean on the internet,including stories and book extracts, but i haven't found anything about Liz. Maybe that's why she wrote the book but still . Also there are some inconsistencies/annoying details. She said she was broke but she was neglecting her jobs because of James and although she said she was really busy one summer she shared stories of hanging out with him. When they met again after their break up there was an "i love you moment" but she was with Pier Angeli at the time, who btw wasn't mentioned once. The thing that upset me the most was their fight about James being gay. I mean he wasn't gay per se, but this is his quote: "No, I am not a homosexual. But, I'm also not going to go through life with one hand tied behind my back". There are multiple stories about his sexual relationships with other men and i don't think he would get so embarrassed and defensive about it. Maybe that's why she shared so many TMI moments between them, i mean i don't have to hear about every time you had sex. To be honest i wish we had a book by Pier, i didn't get anything from this story.
I'm not sure if i believe everything in this book, especially since she burnt their letters. I've read a lot about James Dean on the internet,including stories and book extracts, but i haven't found anything about Liz. Maybe that's why she wrote the book but still . Also there are some inconsistencies/annoying details. She said she was broke but she was neglecting her jobs because of James and although she said she was really busy one summer she shared stories of hanging out with him. When they met again after their break up there was an "i love you moment" but she was with Pier Angeli at the time, who btw wasn't mentioned once. The thing that upset me the most was their fight about James being gay. I mean he wasn't gay per se, but this is his quote: "No, I am not a homosexual. But, I'm also not going to go through life with one hand tied behind my back". There are multiple stories about his sexual relationships with other men and i don't think he would get so embarrassed and defensive about it. Maybe that's why she shared so many TMI moments between them, i mean i don't have to hear about every time you had sex. To be honest i wish we had a book by Pier, i didn't get anything from this story.
May 28, 2014
I bought Liz Sheridan's book at Comic-Con in Novi, Michigan couple a years ago. I was shock, she was James Dean's ex-girlfriend. reading about their past love, their living together & going separate lives, their trouble lives, his dying. I cried towards the end. these people who are actors, as fans we enjoy watching, has private lives that has a history also
October 20, 2017
This is a must-read for any James Dean fan! Liz Sheridan finally shares her love story with Jimmy 50 years later. It’s a heart breaking, beautiful story I couldn’t put down.
A treasure to finally have one of Jimmys girlfriends write about their story - and even better that it was before he was James Dean the icon!
A treasure to finally have one of Jimmys girlfriends write about their story - and even better that it was before he was James Dean the icon!
March 18, 2012
A sweet, real seeming story about two starving artists falling in love in the fifties. My only question is is it true? The author claims so but there are no pictures of the two of them together, I think she may have came up with it for the money.
September 14, 2011
I don't know that I really believe that the author can remember everything that happened in their relationship with such detail, but it is a look into what James Dean was like when he was alive.
June 30, 2013
an excellent memoir of a relationship that I've read about briefly and getting the perspective of one of Jimmy's lovers.
May 8, 2014
I really liked this book. I really felt as though I was the one he was falling in love with. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars was I don't think much, if any of it is true.
December 1, 2015
I loved this book and wish it had a good ending but we know what happened to James Dean. I found their romance beautiful and true and I didn't want the book to end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2023
I've been a bit infatuated with James Dean since I was a pre-teen. And I loved Liz as Jerry's mom, Helen, on Seinfeld. I had heard years ago that they had been in a relationship, but didn't find out till recently that she had written a book about it. Being in a relationship with a fledgling actor, who is always "on" sounds to be just as physically and mentally exhausting as I'd imagine, and I think it is effectively described in the book. He was tortured and handsome for sure. But he wasn't the best boyfriend-material, which was no surprise, as I've read about his life extensively already.
The real star of this story, to me, was the setting. I've only been to NYC once, but reading of all the locations where they lived, worked, and hung out in the city in the early 1950s was a real treat. Actual locations were explained, that I could find on google maps, and compare those building facades now to how they were described in the book. I just loved reading about how this group of young artists in the city spent their days back then.
The real star of this story, to me, was the setting. I've only been to NYC once, but reading of all the locations where they lived, worked, and hung out in the city in the early 1950s was a real treat. Actual locations were explained, that I could find on google maps, and compare those building facades now to how they were described in the book. I just loved reading about how this group of young artists in the city spent their days back then.
January 27, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I had just read “Giant Love” about Edna Ferber and writing of the book Giant and the making of the film. I didn’t know Liz Sheridan had written this book, and wanted to know more about James Dean. I found the book to be heartfelt and truthful, in that this is Liz Sheridan’s story to tell, and in the way she wanted to tell it. It’s a wonderful snapshot of New York in the early 1950s. This is a story of first love. Liz was 23 and Jimmy 21 when they met. And a previous reviewer complaint about no pictures of them together— they were young and broke. Pictures required a camera, buying flashbulbs, buying film and then paying for the film to be developed. They could barely pay for rent and food; they weren’t going to waste money on film and processing. I’m so glad Liz Sheridan wrote this book, so we can gain insight into two young talented people before tragedy struck one of them.
May 1, 2024
Bitter sweet story of young love. I read some comments about there not being photos of them together. It is easy to forget this was a different era. They were unknowns so externally they wouldn't have attracted attention. They wouldn't have money to spend on film and they would have to get it developed. I think it is easy to forget how different life was before we as a society could document every moment of our day.
October 8, 2023
Read this bc of a 5 star recommendation. While it did give a beautiful portrait of what New York was like, especially at that time, the writing wasn't what I expected... Felt like a rush and flurry of emotions, rather than a love story.
November 18, 2017
Best book about James Dean I ever read and I've read a lot of them.
October 21, 2021
A great insight to a great actor and his short life in New York before he became the Icon we all know.
May 15, 2022
Sometimes you just realize you've found a missing piece. This book is magic.
June 12, 2022
I loved this book! It gives a very different insight into James Dean. He seemed like a young man very much in tune with his feelings. Hopefully they have reunited in the clouds.❤️
September 29, 2022
I love this book, I hope to read more stories about James Dean.
September 30, 2015
This book, in my opinion, was literally just the stereotypical love story. It seemed to drag on and on and on. I also looked into it and Liz Sheridan and James Dean's relationship is not really proven to be an actual thing. Like other than this book there is no solid evidence proving that their relationship was more than just a couple week fling, if anything at all. This kinda made me feel like the events in this book, such as the substantial relationship, engagement, seemingly over dramatic breakup, and other things were false or exaggerated which made me feel like this was more fictional than it being an actual nonfiction book. Other than that, the story line was decent, just too predictable and basic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews