The Switchblade Kid: The Life and Death of Sal Mineo

As a small boy, Sal Mineo was surrounded by family. With two older brothers and a younger sister, Sal might have been lost in the middle, but his family loved and supported him.

Sal Mineo, the youth. He portrayed Jesus in his first role at school, and enjoyed the experience. His mother gave in, and paid for acting and dance lessons, which set him on the path to become an actor.

Sal exits an airplane, waving to his fans. Women were drawn to his dark, good looks, and the characters he played.

Sal Mineo poses in a pool. Many young women knew his name, and most expected that he would take over for James Dean after Dean's untimely demise.

Tennessee Williams was on the train the night Sal left home for a part in a play. Williams helped calm the crying boy down by setting Mineo's head in his lap.

Yul Brynner as the King in one of the most well-known stage plays, "The King and I". Sal was the understudy to the first prince in the play, and was able to take over. Brynner took Mineo under his wing, and nurtured his talent, enabling Mineo to further his acting career.

Otto Preminger directed the film Exodus, which put Mineo's name back in lights.

Sal Mineo and James Dean, working on Rebel Without a Cause. Mineo as Plato worked well with James Dean's character, and launched Mineo into the limelight.

Jill Haworth met Sal on the set of Exodus, and it was rumored the two were dating. Suspicions were confirmed when she moved in to his Beverly Hills home after finishing the film.

Police had taped off the crime scene, and Mineo's body was waiting for the police photographers to arrive.

Police crime scene photographers were called in to take pictures of Mineo's body at the site of the attack.

Lionel Williams, was found guilty of Sal Mineo's murder, although many still believe that he was innocent.

Williams' mug shot frontal. Williams' attorney argued, unsuccessfully, that his client was not the killer.

Sal Mineo also was a singer, and recorded several albums, including Secret Doorway, with which he had some success.

Sal Sings was another of Mineo's albums. Though he never had a number one hit, he had a wonderful singing voice, and young women bought his albums.