The Drama Behind Dennis Hopper's Divorce

By Mike Ryan Posted Jan 22nd 2010 03:55PM

There was always something comforting about having a healthy and vibrant Dennis Hopper in the world. Our thoughts are with the 'Easy Rider' and 'Apocalypse Now' star as he struggles with prostate cancer but, yes, there was always that voice inside our head the morning after a late night out saying, "Yes, your head hurts right now, but if Dennis Hopper is still alive and healthy, really, what damage could you have possibly done to yourself in comparison?" And then we would feel peace with the world. We were shocked to learn that the health of Hopper -- whose hard living lifestyle was only overshadowed by his contribution to cinema; featured in more than 150 films and documentaries -- has deteriorated enough that some outlets are reporting him to be on his "death bed." Even more shocking, though, is the fact that he filed for a divorce from his wife of 14 years, Victoria Duffy-Hopper, while on said "death bed."

What's at stake that would cause this swift and seemingly random chain of events? This is Hollywood people -- it's money. Let's look at the cast of characters involved in this sad and tragic drama that's unfolding in front of our eyes.

Dennis Hopper: Unfortunately, as reported, he is terminally ill with prostate cancer. His filling for divorce citing "irreconcilable differences" isn't, again unfortunately, going to be a long time concern. Hopper does have a daughter with Duffy, six-year-old Galen. It's not likely this move is in anyway to protect her, considering access to his estate will only be made more difficult if a divorce between Hopper and Duffy is made final. Also, have you ever been in the difficult situation of being around someone who is terminally ill this far along? This is the part where we remind you that we are not a doctor, but, we will spare you because, well, that's obvious. But, did they seem like someone who had the cognitive ability to make a rational decision as important enough as, "You know, I would like a divorce." Now, Hopper is definitely a unique man, but usually a time like this brings forgiveness and people become closer, not the opposite. This doesn't really add up. Without question, the reason behind this move is money. That's obvious. But who looks to gain what?

Victoria Duffy-Hopper: Dennis Hopper's current wife. The Huffington Post is reporting that Duffy will get 25 percent of Hopper's estate as long as the divorce doesn't go through. If it does, she and their daughter get nothing. Now, keep in mind: Duffy is Hopper's fifth wife, but she has been with Hopper for 14 years. This isn't someone who latched on to him right when it was announced he was ill. The New York Post reports a family friend recalling Hopper complaining that Victoria just wanted "more and more luxury." Look, it would be extremely difficult to paint her as a gold digger; 14 years is a really long time and 25 percent of an estate seems, if anything, unfair to her considering the length of their marriage. So, we don't think that's plausible and even if it was, she's more than earned it! So, this leaves us with ...

Marin Hopper: Dennis Hopper's oldest daughter -- seven years older than Duffy. A daughter that, as again The Huffington Post reports, was living for free at Dennis Hopper's estate and made a living setting up personal appearances for him. She recently became executor of his will. It's not clear what, exactly, Marin will gain financially by shutting out Duffy. Though, by multiple accounts, Marin Hopper and Duffy were far from close. Is she pulling the strings for the reportedly highly medicated actor? Who's to say for sure? Does she have the most to gain from doing this? "It's so horrible, Dennis is at home, Victoria and Galen are living there as well, and Marin is pulling her father out of his bed and driving him to the divorce lawyers. The poor guy has no idea what is going on ... Even his lawyers are telling people he is on painkillers and is essentially sleeping all the time," a Huffington Post source says. Again, it seems unlikely Dennis Hopper is in any condition to start, or even request, a legal proceding.

"Marin has always hated Victoria ... If she can get her father to reject Victoria on his deathbed, and get more money in the process, she'll be the happiest woman in Los Angeles," according to the HuffPo source.

It's always a sad affair when a public figure can't at least have some peace in his final days. Unfortunately, when we think of Dennis Hopper, this story will always be the exclamation point on his long and illustrious life and career. It appears, maybe, to some, if true, tarnishing a man's legacy is worth the price of a fortune. There was something odd about this story from the moment it broke and, from the reports that are materializing, things are starting to make a little bit more sense. Though, digging deeper into this sordid affair, it doesn't make it any less rotten.

Tags: dennis hopper

Comments

(213)

Sunday 24 January

By Lorna

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This is tragic. I know from first hand experience what a person goes through at this time. My husband of 14 years died of colon cancer ten years ago when our children were 11 and 13. Honestly, if Mr. Hopper is this far along, he has no idea what he's doing. If the older daughter is behind this (and it appears she is), then shame, shame, shame on her. Where is her own mother in all of this? Cancer is a terrible disease, and people don't always know what they're doing during the throes of it. It's a sad situation, and I wish them all well.

By James McD

This IS truly a sad sad story. Dennis Hopper is one of the great actors of this time. What a shame it is for such a man to have something like cancer - in any part if his body! And what makes it worse, is that his wife is acting liek this. I thnk I can see why she is hated so much by his daughter Marin. I have had people like this in my life who are friends with a relative and "move in" on the family and then dump on thatperson and screw up their life. As far as I'm concerned, all those people in this world should be put on an island to live with each other and then they can screw all the others who are just like them! Why do these people always have to get in good with a good, decent person?

By Rozie

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And it is people like you taking advantage of this tragedy, writing and speculating about the motives of people you know nothing about. how classy.
Best wishes Dennis.

By Sunshinmim

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......never ceases to amaze me....old guy marries 'young thang'....and now she wants to cash in.....while he's dying....so much for love....

Tuesday 26 January

By Gollem

I know through various sources that Dennis is and has been a Douche bag in all 5 of his marriages. Good for him. Remember in Easy Rider where he is an outcast by the cool hipsters who read his bead? Say no more. His present wife is a real person who is nice and has stood by his side even though he is a D.B. He and The Post should and will rot the most. C.

By elizabeth

well i think hoppers wife is intitled and should get a lawyer if his oldest daughter is doing a dirty deed because god does not like ugly or greedy people and if he is that sick you know shes pushing him to do it no one in there right frame of mind would do that and if he has a younger daughter she deserves just as much as the older one if i were his wife i would tie it up in court

By Jess

I find it rather slimy and dispicable of Dennis Hopper's eldest daughter Marin to be trying to cut her father's current wife of 14 years and their youngest daughter out of the will by having him divorce her in his current state... I thought in the state of CA it's 50/50 when there is a divorce anyhow?
If it is indeed true that she is scheming this whole plan by driving him to his lawyer's office while he is on pain medication, then it should be noted by his lawyers and like those old Hollywood movies she should be surprised at the end when the Last will & Testament is read when she gets NOTHING....
Dennis Hopper should follow in the steps of fellow late great actor Paul Newman and donate everything to charity, then there would be no need for family squabbling due to greed....

By joey hopper

well being a hopper and possably related to dennis it seems too me that nomatter who you are noone will lwt you rest in peace

By Mary

Who the H is Mike Ryan and what business does he have in speculating about a man who is not even dead? Mike must need his 15 minutes of fame. Take care Mr. Hopper - you have been an excellent actor

By Sarah

Hello you are all talking about Dennis, but what about the 6 year old, this poor little girl will lose her daddy then her home, and the wife who has been a intricate part of her husbands life just put on the streets, someone should stop this from happening, the daighter from a previous marrige seems to be the culprit, and should be tossed out the door. Dennis stand up for your wife and little girl they are your true family and they need you more then this grown women who seems to be making a mess out of your life.

By stephanie

money has been and always will be the root of all evil.easy rider fight your battle my prayers will be with until the end

By Wilber

He has to divorce her for the daughter. He could not change his will in his condition. "Being of sound mind and body" would throw it out. The daughter could still get a lawyer to cash in and ram through a divorce.

By Ralph Novak

Not only are you not a doctor or lawyer. You're not, obviously, even a very smart layman.

By Kelly Luiser

Very sad! Hate to see Dennis this close to the end. Anyone who has prostate cancer go to the Henry Ford Clinic in Michigan. Has the best program and with the shots given younger men can still have sex. Might have to give them a what for once in awhile, with the new lease on life.

By Barb

I was involved with my sister in law and my brother over what my mother left me.They had the audacity to have a new will drawn and my mother signed it and it was accepted.They hadn't spoken to my mother for years but he who holds the purse strings gets the gold. Life and God will get even.

By MIKE

A great actor he was, lets not forget about " SPEED", He wss the bomber that drove Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves to ride the famous bus over 50 MPH.

By tracy

I am a huge dennis hopper fan, and always have, and will be. it is a shame he will be gone. I for one will miss him.

By Eplenus

Mr. Hopper will be missed, I have enjoyed many if not all of his roles and he has given me something to hold onto from each one. What his daughter is doing happens more often than people know, to all sorts of people not just the rich and famous. No matter who it is they make me sick to hear that they have such cold hearts to care about money more than the person they take from. They will meet their maker and be delt with even if they feel mo remorse.

By Carmen

A judge will throw this out. He's on meds. Not just over the counter stuff. There is NO way his kid will pull this off. the wife needs to get a good lawyer. What a charming family. Well you get what you go after. I never liked him as an actor but I do admit he did things his way and he's happy with that so good for him. That's the way to go.

I AM A LAWYER AND NO MATTER HOW GOOD I AM BE A DIVORCE CANNOT BE RUSHED THRU THE COURTS. BESIDES NO JUDGE WOULD ALLOW A CHILD TO BE EXCLUDED FROM THE ESTATE OF ANYNONE.

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