A Vintage Nerd Book Club: When You’re A Jet: A Dancer’s Extraordinary, Ordinary Life

I had the joy of meeting David "Tiger" Bean during a Chiller Theater Expo event October 2022. He played the role of Tiger in West Side Story (1961) as one of the members of the Jets gang. We engaged in long chats about life and his philosophy on doing everything 180%. It was such an honor to not only meet him and his lovely wife Jean, but to also share the love of film with another a fellow creative.

Reading David Bean's autobiography was like reading a letter from an old friend. It was inviting and inspirational. Mr. Bean starts at the beginning as life as a child and how his career began in the theater with Peter Pan. As you read through each stage of Mr. Bean's life and career, which covers his role as Tiger in West Side Story (1961), you can't help but recognize how each step to his success in life were built on top of the other.  

He also met many people along the way who would give him opportunities, inspire him, and challenge him to be the best he could be. But it was also Mr. Bean's his personal motto, that you should put in 180% percent of yourself into everything that you do, that speaks through every chapter in this book. That chance and luck do play a part in everyones success but also a work ethic that involves putting in all of yourself and not hold anything back.

Mr. Bean wants you as the reader to learn from his life and to be aware that possibilities are everywhere.  His stories are filled with warmth and purpose, often entwining his career on stage and screen with relationships with those around him. Mr. Bean didn't forget who helped him along on his journey in life and mentioned many who guided him. I found that to be endearing because so many times we can easily forget the people along the way who helped us. Mr. Bean honors them all by remembering them and the roles they played in his life.

Mr. Bean's book is not only a glimpse to life of a stage and screen actor, but also a glimpse on life after Hollywood. Mr. Bean shares his adventures in his life from his marriage to Jean to the birth of his daughter, as well as various changes of career. No matter what, everything Mr. Bean did and still does in his life is done with 180%.

You can get your own copy of his book HERE.