Dennis Hopper facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dennis Hopper
Hopper in 2008
Born	Dennis Lee Hopper (1936-05-17)May 17, 1936 Dodge City, Kansas, U.S.
Died	May 29, 2010(2010-05-29) (aged 74) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Jesús Nazareño Cemetery Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico
Education	Helix High School
Alma mater	Actors Studio
Occupation	Actor filmmaker photographer painter
Years active	1954–2010
Notable work	Filmography
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Brooke Hayward ​ ​ (m. 1961; div. 1969)​ Michelle Phillips ​ ​ (m. 1970; div. 1970)​ Daria Halprin ​ ​ (m. 1972; div. 1976)​ Katherine LaNasa ​ ​ (m. 1989; div. 1992)​ Victoria Duffy ​ ​ (m. 1996; sep. 2010)​
Children	4, including Ruthanna
Awards	See awards

Dennis Lee Hopper (May 17, 1936 – May 29, 2010) was an American actor, filmmaker, and photographer. He started acting in 1954 and quickly became known in television and movies. He was also a talented photographer.

Hopper directed his first film, Easy Rider (1969), which he co-wrote with Peter Fonda and Terry Southern. This movie was a huge hit and showed the counterculture of the 1960s. It earned him an award at the Cannes Film Festival and an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay nomination.

After a tough period, Hopper found new success in films like Apocalypse Now (1979). He also directed Out of the Blue (1980), which was also praised at Cannes. His career really took off again in 1986 with his roles in Blue Velvet and Hoosiers. For Hoosiers, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Later, he became famous for playing villains in movies like Super Mario Bros. (1993), Speed (1994), and Waterworld (1995).

His last major role was in the TV series Crash (2008–2009). Dennis Hopper passed away in 2010.

Early Life

Dennis Hopper was born on May 17, 1936, in Dodge City, Kansas. His parents were Marjorie Mae and James Millard Hopper. He had two brothers, Marvin and David.

After World War II, his family moved to Kansas City, Missouri. There, young Dennis took art classes at the Kansas City Art Institute. When he was 13, his family moved to San Diego.

At Helix High School, Dennis was very active in the drama club and choir. He was even voted "most likely to succeed." He became interested in acting and studied at the Old Globe Theatre and the Actors Studio in New York City. He also became friends with actor Vincent Price, who inspired his love for art.

Career

Film Roles

Hopper in 1960

Dennis Hopper's first credited film roles were alongside James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956). James Dean's death in 1955 deeply affected Hopper.

For a while, Hopper found it hard to get acting jobs in Hollywood. However, actor John Wayne helped him restart his career. Wayne hired Hopper for the film The Sons of Katie Elder (1965). Hopper also appeared in another John Wayne film, True Grit (1969).

Hopper with second wife Michelle Phillips in 1970, during editing of The Last Movie

In 1967, Hopper had a supporting role in Cool Hand Luke. In 1968, he worked with Peter Fonda, Terry Southern, and Jack Nicholson to create Easy Rider. This film came out in July 1969 and was a big success. Hopper earned praise for his directing and editing in the movie.

Easy Rider was one of the first films to show the hippie lifestyle. Hopper and Fonda's characters, with their long hair and unique style, became symbols of rebellion. They faced challenges in the film because of their looks, which reflected real-life attitudes at the time.

After Easy Rider, Hopper directed The Last Movie (1971). While it won an award at the Venice Film Festival, it was not a commercial success. For several years, Hopper acted in many smaller, independent films. He often played intense or troubled characters.

He returned to major films with Apocalypse Now (1979), playing a photojournalist. In 1980, he directed and starred in Out of the Blue, which was well-received.

His career saw a big comeback in 1986. He played Frank Booth in David Lynch's Blue Velvet, earning critical acclaim. In the same year, he was nominated for an Oscar for his role in Hoosiers. In 1988, he directed Colors, a film about gang violence in Los Angeles.

Hopper (left) with his friend and Easy Rider co-star Jack Nicholson in 1990

In the 1990s, Hopper played villains in several popular movies. He was King Koopa in Super Mario Bros. (1993). He also played the main villain in Speed (1994) and Waterworld (1995).

His later film roles included Land of the Dead (2005) and Elegy (2008). His final voice role was in the animated film Alpha and Omega (2010), which was released after his death.

Television Work

Hopper first appeared on television in 1955 in the series Medic. He also appeared in many western shows, such as Cheyenne and Sugarfoot.

He was in the first episode of the popular TV series The Rifleman (1958). Over his career, he appeared in more than 140 TV episodes. These included shows like Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and The Twilight Zone.

In 1970, he appeared on The Johnny Cash Show. He sang a duet with Johnny Cash and recited a poem. In the early 1990s, Hopper appeared in a series of Nike commercials as a "crazed referee." He also played the villain Victor Drazen in the first season of the action drama 24.

From 2008 to 2009, Hopper starred as Ben Cendars in the TV series Crash.

Photography and Art

Hopper in June 2008

Dennis Hopper was not just an actor; he was also a talented photographer, painter, and sculptor. His interest in art began with painting lessons as a child.

In 1961, he started focusing on photography. He took many famous portraits of artists, musicians, and actors from the 1960s. He also photographed important events like the 1963 March on Washington. His photos were published in magazines like Vogue.

Many of his photographs were collected in books, including "1712 North Crescent Heights." A book called Dennis Hopper: Photographs 1961–1967 was published in 2011. Director Wim Wenders said Hopper would have been one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century, even if he had only been a photographer.

Hopper also collected art, especially Pop Art. He owned works by famous artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Damien Hirst. His art collection was very impressive.

His own artwork and collection have been shown in museums around the world. In 2010, an exhibition of his work called Double Standard was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.

Personal Life

Hopper with Katherine LaNasa, his fourth wife, at the 62nd Academy Awards in 1990

Dennis Hopper was married five times and had four children. His children are Marin, Ruthanna, Henry, and Galen.

He was honored with a special award from France called the National Order of Arts and Letters. Although he was a Republican, he supported Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election.

Illness and Death

Hopper at a ceremony to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 26, 2010, two months before his death

In September 2009, Dennis Hopper was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. In January 2010, the cancer had spread to his bones.

On March 26, 2010, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was surrounded by family and friends, including Jack Nicholson and David Lynch.

Dennis Hopper passed away at his home in Los Angeles on May 29, 2010, shortly after his 74th birthday. His funeral was held in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico, where he was buried.

The animated film Alpha and Omega, where he voiced a character, was dedicated to his memory. The 2011 film Restless, starring his son Henry Hopper, was also dedicated to him.

Notable Filmography

Awards and Nominations

Images for kids

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  Hopper in June 2008

See also

In Spanish: Dennis Hopper para niños