Salvatore Mineo Jr. was an American film and theatre actor and director. Mineo is chiefly known for his performance as John"Plato"…Salvatore Mineo Jr. was an American film and theatre actor and director. Mineo is chiefly known for his performance as John"Plato" Crawford opposite James Dean in the film Rebel Without a Cause. Mineo was twice nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for his role in Rebel Without a Cause and Exodus. A 1950s teen idol, Mineo's acting career declined in his adult years. He was murdered in 1976.