Dennis Hopper 1936-2010

Gifted actor/director/writer whose career spanned 5 decades Hopper became symbolic as a counter-culture hero from his first appearance on-screen in 1955 alongside his friend, mentor and muse James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause. The following year the 2 were together again in what turned out to be another film classic Giant. From then on Hopper did small roles in big films and big roles in small films until hitting it really big in 1969 as a drug pusher on a motorcycle in Easy Rider 1969.

Ambitious and driven, Hopper was not afraid to tackle any role and has left a legacy of over 100 films playing everything from cowboys to CEO’s, drunks to killers. Hard partying with Jack Nicholson, Natalie Wood, Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor further cemented his stature as a perennial “A” lister among Hollywood’s elite which gave him the opportunity to do memorable work in memorable films such as The Osterman Weekend 1983 with Rutger Hauer The Indian Runner 1991 with Viggo Mortensen and Speed 1994 with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.

Although Hopper was saddled with a reputation of being difficult, truculent and argumentative it didn’t diminish the long line of actors, directors and producers who clamored to work with him. He appeared in some of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed films during the last half of the 20th century, Gun Fight at the O.K. Corral, Cool Hand Luke, True Grit,  Apocalypse Now and Hoosiers as well as some of  the more quirky but equally impressive movies such as Blue Velvet, Rumble Fish and Basquiat.  He also exercised his directorial and writing muscles by giving us Easy Rider, The American Dreamer and The Last Movie both in 1971 and Colors 1988.

Aside from film work Hopper also did his share of  classic television appearing in Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Petticoat Junction, a few Twilight Zone’s (one of which he took the role of a neo-Nazi), The Big Valley and recently in 24 with Kiefer Sutherland and Crash the TV series based on the film.

Hopper’s interest in art wasn’t limited to film making. He was a well-respected photographer and sculptor as well as an accomplished and painter of abstract impressionism who experimented with photo-realism. He also had a keen eye when it came to art collecting buying original Andy Warhol portraiture, once buying a Roy Lichtenstein for $1100 that he sold in recent years for a whopping 18 million.

His prolific film output has been the subject of more than a few film festivals worldwide that not only featured Hopper’s on-screen work but his artwork as well that not only were well attended but generated strong public interest and support. The recipient of many nominations and awards throughout his long and fabled career, Hopper was recognised by the Oscars, The Emmy’s, the Directors Guild of America, the L.A. and Boston Film Critics, the National Society of Film Critics, the Writers Guild, Independent Spirits, MTV, the Cannes Palmed d’Or, his proudest moment ( by his own admission) was when he was given the Legion of Honor, France’s highest award.

Married 5 times including a 1 month marriage to Michelle Phillips of The Mama’s and the Papa’s in 1970 ( I know that after the nuptials he took a look around and said OH HELL NO and who could blame him?) He also leaves behind 4 (accounted for) children and 2 grandchildren.

Hopper succumbed after a valiant battle with prostate cancer and in his wake we are left to reflect on the life of this incredible man who lived hard, played hard, worked hard and made an indelible impression for past and future generations of film lovers.

The portrait at the top was done by Andy Warhol.