Dennis Hopper of 'Easy Rider' Fame Dead at 74

By PopEater Staff Posted May 29th 2010 02:03PM

Dennis Hopper, whose unmistakable presence graced the silver screen for five decades in classics like 'Easy Rider' and 'Apocalypse Now,' died on Saturday after a grueling battle with prostate cancer, a friend of the actor told Reuters. The actor was surrounded by family and friends when he died at his home in Venice, California shortly after 8 AM, according to the friend, Alex Hitz. Hopper was 74.

The actor spent most of 2010 embroiled in a divorce from his fifth wife of 14 years, Victoria Duffy-Hopper. A family friend told The Huffington Post in January that Hopper was "delirious and having difficulty speaking." It was more recently reported that Hopper weighed just barely 100 pounds and was too frail to attend chemotherapy treatments or divorce proceedings.

Hopper's work became the stuff of subversive legend -- his role as King Koopa in a 'Super Mario Bros.' feature film that would become the video game movie to skewer all future video game movies; his monologue about Sicilians in 'True Romance'; his wild drug addict in 'Blue Velvet.'

Hopper's role in the hallmark counterculture film 'Easy Rider' sees the movie constantly attached to his name. A Cigar Aficionado magazine profile of Hopper in 2001 called the film "the Peace and Love Generation's version of Homer's 'The Odyssey.'" Hopper co-wrote the film, which was nominated for Best Original Screenplay in the 1970 Academy Awards. 'Easy Rider' claimed the Best First Work award at Cannes the year before.

"We didn't really think of ourselves as counterculture. We thought we were culture, and they were just on another track," Hopper said in 2008, his voice as instantly recognizable as Christopher Walken or 'Easy Rider' co-star Jack Nicholson.

Watch classic clips from 'Easy Rider' and 'True Romance':

Moviefone: Dennis Hopper's 10 Best Movie Roles

The Academy nominated Hopper for a Best Supporting Actor role in 1987 for 'Hoosiers'.

Hopper became ill in September, 2009, but continued to work on his cable series, 'Crash,' and other endeavors.

A frail and bandaged Hopper finally received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 26. "Everything I learned in life I learned from you," he said at the ceremony, referring to Hollywood. "This means so much to me. Thank you very much everyone, and Hollywood."

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Dennis Hopper Snapshots

Dennis Hopper and his old friend Jack Nicholson share a laugh at the unveiling of Hopper's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in March. More memories of the acting icon >>

AFP/Getty Images

AFP FILES

Dennis Hopper Snapshots

Candles rest on the star of actor Dennis Hopper following news of his death, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on May 29, 2010. Hopper, a counterculture icon who worked with Hollywood legends including James Dean and Marlon Brando, died Saturday at age 74, his manager said. The actor, who shot to fame following his screen debut in the 1955 classic "Rebel Without a Cause" and later spent years mired in alcohol- and drug-abuse, had been suffering from terminal prostate cancer and died at his home in California. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

Dennis Hopper Snapshots

People take photographs of the star of actor Dennis Hopper where a wreath was placed following news of his death, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on May 29, 2010. Hopper, a counterculture icon who worked with Hollywood legends including James Dean and Marlon Brando, died Saturday at age 74, his manager said. The actor, who shot to fame following his screen debut in the 1955 classic "Rebel Without a Cause" and later spent years mired in alcohol- and drug-abuse, had been suffering from terminal prostate cancer and died at his home in California. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

Dennis Hopper Snapshots

People gather around the star of actor Dennis Hopper where a wreath was placed following news of his death, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on May 29, 2010. Hopper, a counterculture icon who worked with Hollywood legends including James Dean and Marlon Brando, died Saturday at age 74, his manager said. The actor, who shot to fame following his screen debut in the 1955 classic "Rebel Without a Cause" and later spent years mired in alcohol- and drug-abuse, had been suffering from terminal prostate cancer and died at his home in California. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

Dennis Hopper Snapshots

A wreath is placed on the star of actor Dennis Hopper on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on May 29, 2010. Hopper, a counterculture icon who worked with Hollywood legends including James Dean and Marlon Brando, died Saturday at age 74, his manager said. The actor, who shot to fame following his screen debut in the 1955 classic "Rebel Without a Cause" and later spent years mired in alcohol- and drug-abuse, had been suffering from terminal prostate cancer and died at his home in California. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

Dennis Hopper Snapshots

(FILES) US actor Dennis Hopper (R), with actor Jack Nicholson, attends the ceremony where Hopper was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood on March 26, 2010. Hopper, known for directing and starring in the 1969 cult classic �Easy Rider,� died on May 29, 2010 at his home in Venice, California, from complications of prostate cancer, according to US media reports, quoting a family friend. He was 74. AFP PHOTO/GABRIEL BOUYS/FILES (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

Dennis Hopper Snapshots

FILE - In a Oct. 1971 file photo, director-actor Dennis Hopper poses in Hollywood, Ca. Hopper, the Hollywood actor-director whose memorable career included the 1969 smash "Easy Rider," died Saturday, May 29, 2010 at his Venice, Calif. home. He was 74. (AP Photo, File)

Dennis Hopper Snapshots

FILE - In a Monday, Oct. 13, 2008 file photo, American actor and director Dennis Hopper looks on during press conference at the Cinematheque Francaise in Paris. Hopper, the Hollywood actor-director whose memorable career included the 1969 smash "Easy Rider," died Saturday, May 29, 2010 at his Venice, Calif. home. He was 74. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)

Dennis Hopper Snapshots

FILE - In this May 19, 2982 file photo, actor Dennis Hopper is shown in Dallas, Texas. Hopper, the Hollywood actor-director whose memorable career included the 1969 smash "Easy Rider," died Saturday, May 29, 2010 at his Venice, Calif. home. He was 74. (AP Photo/Ron Heflin, File)

Dennis Hopper Snapshots

FILE - In this May 24, 2008 file photo, actor Dennis Hopper attends a press conference of the film "The Palermo Shooting" during the 61st International film festival in Cannes, southern France. Dennis Hopper, the high-flying Hollywood actor-director whose memorable career included the 1969 smash "Easy Rider," died Saturday, May 29, 2010 at his Venice, Calif. home, surrounded by family and friends. He was 74. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)

Dennis Hopper Snapshots

Many of Hopper's Hollywood friends were in attendance, including Jack Nicholson, director David Lynch and singer Johnny Mathis. Hopper received the 2,403rd star along Hollywood Boulevard at a midday celebration in front of the landmark Egyptian Theatre.

Hopper's career was nothing if not prolific -- he worked on dozens of films and was an avid participant in documentaries.

Hopper led a free-spirited life, never a stranger to conflict or substances. "I should have been dead ten times over," he told an interview a decade ago. I've thought about that a lot. I believe in miracles. It's an absolute miracle that I'm still around."

"With all the drugs, psychedelics and narcotics I did, I was [really] an alcoholic. Honestly, I only used to do cocaine so I could sober up and drink more. My last five years of drinking was a nightmare. I was drinking a half-gallon of rum with a fifth of rum on the side, in case I ran out, 28 beers a day, and three grams of cocaine just to keep me moving around. And I thought I was doing fine because I wasn't crawling around drunk on the floor."

He quit drinking in the 1980s with the help of a detox clinic, but he continued to use cocaine, and at one time needed to be committed to the psychiatric ward of a Los Angeles hospital. Upon his release, Hopper joined Alcoholics Anonymous and quit drugs altogether.

His sobriety paid off, and his next role was in 'Hoosiers,' which snagged him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor.

Hopper was an outspoken Republican for most of his life, but surprisingly he said he was praying for Barack Obama's election in 2008.

Dennis Lee Hopper was born in 1936, in Dodge City, Kansas. His family moved to San Diego and he began acting on stage. Soon he was signed to Warner Bros., where he appeared 'Rebel' and 'Giant' while still in his teens.

As unpredictable as his career and political views were, Hopper's love life was even more hard to define.

His first wife was Brooke Hayward. They had a daughter, Marin, before Hopper's drug-induced violence led to divorce after eight years. Then, he married Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas, but they split up eight days after exchanging vows. A marriage to actress Daria Halprin produced a daughter, Ruthana, and his nuptials to dancer Katherine LaNasa gave him a son, Henry.

He married his fifth wife, Victoria Duffy, who was 32 years his junior, in 1996, and they had a daughter, Galen Grier.

Leave tributes and messages to Hopper on Facebook.

Tags: dennis hopper, Dennis Hopper Dead

Comments

(320)

Saturday 29 May

By doc

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Lon you were suppose to stay in your basement room during the day and MOMMY told you not to wear that tin foil hat ..you know how it scares people when they see you..now go back to your cardboard box in the cellar or you will have go see the doctor and he will TAZER your head again!

By Dorie

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What in the hell are you talking about? I realllly tried to understand you post, but couldn't figure it out! You said his "age groups" did more to bring down the fabrics of family, unity...what? I'm guessing your about 20 yrs. old & now your going to blame all the "bad" things that don't go your way on the "older" generation, we did it! BS, when you keep all grown up, see if you can/will do better...different times then. You know in the "old days", but.....they were better times.

Sunday 30 May

By Martin

You sound like a typical brain-washed, self righteous holy roller who thinks everyone should behave exactly like you. Hitler had that mentality too. Hey Lon, you are really a good Christian by taking the death of a human being, and using it to bloviate about YOUR opinions. Thou shalt not take the name of the lord thy god in vain does not mean uttering 'goddammit', it means speaking as if you are god.

By Courtney

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Rest In Peace mr Hopper loved you in Easy Rider & The Last Picture Show

By That Guy

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Who? O.o

By Chris

You need to get out of your moms basement, maybe you'll figure who he is and also find out the sky is blue.

By LARRY

That Guy, Who are you ?

By marty

OMG. How I loved this guy- his acting abilities- his absolute ability to get to the core of the role, the core of his own dark personal demons. Such honesty. Not easy to find such honesty- these days. How sad. RIP, man. You're legacy, in your films, will live on forever. And thank you for your contribution of selflessness and honesty. A virtue- not many have.

Sunday 06 June

By Daphnne'

I am very sorry to hear that you were a great actor RIP DENNIS you will be greatly missed

By brandy9160

RIP Dennis, break on through to the other side.....you'll be missed...

By char

really someone special as an artist, so few and far between these days. RIP

By Suzy

I just saw "Speed" three days ago (for the 25th time), starring Dennis Hopper, Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, made in 1994. I didn't even know he was sick! Dennis, you were one of the best actors, Hollywood has ever seen!

But wait one second here, since he was going through a nasty divorce and couldn't even attend the proceedings, does that mean that his soon to be ex wife will get all of his money? I hope not! His family should be the one to get it, especially if his separation and soon-to-be divorce was THAT nasty!

By Sandy

Yeah, I had a brother dying of ALS in ICU and his greedy wife served him summons as part of their divorce. When someone is dying, all bets are off. Forget the lousy law suits, gripes, differences and make peace with that person. You will carry the guilt the rest of your life that you didn't help make someone you are supposed to have loved have a peaceful death.

By jesse36

Dennis, you lived a life that many of us wish we had the balls to do! Rest in Peace,man.

By Dumbass

"Born to be Wild" and left us way too soon. RIP Mr. Hopper!

By Meley

I Love you Dennis. I know God is proud of for using the talent he gave you in this world.

By Tena

I knew the end was near, I just didn't want to believe it would be so soon. His suffering is over.

Dennis Hopper is one of my favorite actors of all time. May he rest in peace.

By miccau

I always liked your bike better. RIP Dennis.

By JOE CRISCIONE SR.

JVCRIS2 DENNIS HOPPER GREAT ACTOR, MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

By Mario MGM

First time I saw him was as a young neo-nazi in an episode of Twilight zone, (or was it Outer Limits?) He only got better with age, and we will miss his work.

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