Vanity Fair Publishes Dennis Hopper's Final Interview

By PopEater Staff Posted Jul 1st 2010 04:45PM

Mere months before his May 29 death from prostate cancer, Dennis Hopper, 74, gave what would be his last interview, an art-centric conversation with Vanity Fair. Though he introduced himself with a mild "I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well," the terminally ill actor soon dove into depth with the magazine, discussing his upcoming exhibit at LA's Museum of Contemporary Art.

The article includes a striking full-page photo (above left) of a ghastly thin, introspective Hopper with his four children at his side.

The interview gives a glimpse into Hopper's final days, laden with both retrospect and currency, even in the center of the 'Easy Rider' star and director's flagging health and legal drama with his fifth wife. After the jump, hear what Hopper had to say about his messy divorce from Victoria Duffy, his finest achievements and his pride surrounding the first LA exhibition showcasing his life's art and photography.

During writer Bob Colacello's walk through Hopper's home, the actor's art collection was slightly askew. This forced Hopper's first of two brief allusions to the tumultuous divorce from his fifth wife, Victoria Duffy, who was still living on Hopper's property: "We've been rearranging."

The second mention of the untimely split, which Hopper filed for in January: "Who would have ever thought I'd be getting a divorce in this state? It was a big shock."

On the upcoming art exhibit: "I was around when MOCA first started. But I never thought I'd end up there. I mean, to at last have a show in LA."

Greatest acting achievement? "I think 'Blue Velvet,' probably. But I've been in such incredible movies. I think at one point I'd been in the five most expensive movies ever made -- not that I had large parts in them. 'Apocalypse Now' was one."

Greatest achievement in cinema overall? " 'Easy Rider.' 'Easy Rider' and 'The Last Movie' were the only films that I made totally on my own."

On not going to college: "People sit around the Riviera Country Club and say, 'What school did you go to?' And I say, 'Warner Bros.' It's true. I signed a contract when I was 18."

Did he consider himself an actor or director or artist or...? "I made my living as an actor, and I love acting, so I'm an actor. But that gets you in a lot of trouble in the art world. I tell you who's got it: Viggo Mortensen. He's a terrific writer. He's a good photographer. He paints. And he makes music."

Visit Vanity Fair for the article preview or read the entire feature in this month's issue, on newsstands now.

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Tags: Dennis Hopper, Vanity Fair

Comments

(43)

Sunday 04 July

By George Dayton

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....Excelently put my friend!!!

Monday 05 July

By Margie

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Jerry.......You have said it best. I couldn't have done better.

By karolyn

Well I wont judge the man... I did like many of his movies and wish for him peace... He is our brother .,,, and i pray he reaches Heaven if that is what he believed in.

By Rusty

Someday we'll all be up there, munching the Bread of Life with Jesus.

By fymr5

AMEN TO THAT !!

By John Bundy

Why would you say that? the guy was an actor and has done many good things for many people and kids, you don't know any thing about this man!

By Terry

I thought the 2 women on his left were Patty Duke and Tracy Pollan. Any body else?

By Abby

OMG is is so sad to see what cancer can do to the human body .. Just heartbreaking ..Those last pictures I wish I hadn't looked at them . RIP Dennis .

By sznative

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ITs disheartening to see a person decline like that it took 8 mo of high dose chemo to kill him those first rounds are hell Ive seen it, very sad . I miss my wife I lost her to leukemia oct09 died in my arms. may the all rest in peace

By Stovall01

Personally my favorite Dennis Hopper movie is "Hoosiers." He played a very powerful role in that movie.

By Gale

I watched Dennis Hoppers career over the years, and even though some of the movies he was in weren't that good, he was always the consummate actor. Rest in Peace Dennis you will be missed. My condolences to the family as they must continue without him.

You jerks who talk crap about have no idea what it like to watch the slow death from cancer my wife died last oct after 2years and 7mo battle with AML leukemia dennis was lucky it only took 8 mo to take his life HE LIVED FOR THE MOMENT AND was a good decent person and actor and artist.no worse than most narcissistic actors. hell he would of been a better president than that *O-bama abomination we have ruining the country now May he REST in peace

By akdesign22

SZNATIVE...
Sorry to hear of your Loss....My Prays are with you BRO..
I just Lost my Mom of 89 Yrs....Lived Full Life and left a
strong Legacey and inspiration to everyone.
A Friend of mine loaned his Harley last weekend...
all my 4 kids got along Ride....That was so Cool
RIP...Dennis

By pas4

I agree with Mei. I lost my father to cancer and I choose to remember him as he was before this horrible illness. I always looked at my father with love in my heart but I suppose others could see the saddness also. Bless him and his family.

F_K YEA!!!!Follow ur dreams....
jimbo u a douche

By tom

dennis was great. now hes up there with jimmy,and the rest of rebel without a cause.

By Connie

First of all,.the daughter in the back has her hand on his shoulder and he is holding the other older daughters hand.She looks sad.They both look worried for they're Dad.I'm sure all the kids loved him very much.You really misread faces, don't you Lori?...Geez! lol

By cricket1g

looks like the picture was photoshopped, the kids are looking in different directions, doesnt make sense

By cloeffler48

Dennis Hopper was a great actor. I loved his one-liners in "Speed;" - "It's interactive TV, Jack!" and "I drop this stick and they pick up your friend with a sponge!"
R.I.P. Mr. Hopper.

By Gmanut

RIP Dennis. You are missed

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