**Nicholas Ray (1911-1979)** was an influential American director, renowned for his sensitivity in portraying rebellious figures and outsiders. His career was marked by an intense psychological exploration and an expressive use of color.

Among his most iconic works are the noirs *They Live by Night* (1948) and the psychological masterpiece *In a Lonely Place* (1950), starring Humphrey Bogart. But it was with *Rebel Without a Cause* (1955), which cemented James Dean's stardom, that Ray became a symbol of youthful malaise.

Other notable works include the atypical Western *Johnny Guitar* (1954) and the drama *Bigger Than Life* (1956). His style was characterized by an often melodramatic narrative, dramatic lighting, and a deep empathy for characters on the fringes.

Considered a "poet of shadows," Ray left an indelible mark, influencing generations of filmmakers, particularly the French New Wave.