Salvatore "Sal" Mineo, Jr. (January 10, 1939February 12, 1976), was an American movie and theatre actor. Mineo was born in the Bronx, New York City, into an Italian family. He is best known for his performance as John "Plato" Crawford opposite James Dean in the movie "Rebel Without a Cause". He was twice nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Once for his roles in "Rebel Without a Cause" and once for "Exodus".