"To my way of thinking, an actor's course is set even before he's out of the cradle"

In this quote, James Dean reveals his belief that a star's destiny is predetermined from a really young age. He suggests that even before an individual runs out the cradle, their path towards ending up being an actor is already set. This could be translated as a commentary on the idea of fate and how some individuals are born with a natural inclination towards particular occupations. It might likewise be viewed as a reflection of Dean's own experience, as he himself was an effective actor who rose to popularity at a young age. In general, this quote highlights the concept that some individuals are predestined for particular courses in life, and for stars, that path may be set from the very beginning.