Dennis Hopper

Born:May 17, 1936

Place of Birth:Dodge City, Kansas, USA

Died:May 29, 2010

Known For:Acting

Biography

Dennis Hopper, a multi-talented American actor, filmmaker, and artist, left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment with his iconic performances and unique artistic vision. Born on May 17, 1936, Hopper's journey in the entertainment industry began when he discovered his passion for acting and honed his skills as a student at the prestigious Actors' Studio. His early career saw him making a notable television debut in 1954, followed by appearances in classic films alongside the legendary James Dean, such as Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956).

Over the next decade, Hopper's versatile talent shone through as he took on a variety of roles in both television and film, steadily building a reputation as a skilled and charismatic actor. However, it was his groundbreaking work as both director and star of the iconic film Easy Rider (1969) that truly solidified his status as a cinematic trailblazer. The film, which captured the spirit of the counterculture movement of the 1960s, garnered critical acclaim and established Hopper as a symbol of rebellion and freedom on screen.

Despite facing challenges in the years following Easy Rider, Hopper's career experienced a resurgence with standout performances in films like Apocalypse Now (1979), Rumble Fish (1983), and The Osterman Weekend (1983). His memorable roles in Blue Velvet and Hoosiers further showcased his range as an actor, earning him well-deserved accolades, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Hopper also delved into directing with projects like Colors (1988) and showcased his versatility by portraying compelling characters, such as the villain in the action-packed film Speed (1994).

Beyond his contributions to the world of film and television, Hopper's artistic pursuits extended to photography, a passion he cultivated in the 1960s. His work behind the camera was as acclaimed as his performances on screen, reflecting his keen eye for capturing raw emotion and striking visuals. Hopper's dedication to his craft and his willingness to push boundaries creatively made him a revered figure in the entertainment industry, inspiring future generations of artists and filmmakers.

In his later years, Hopper continued to leave his mark on the industry with a leading role in the television series Crash, showcasing his enduring talent and versatility as an actor. His final performance in The Last Film Festival, filmed shortly before his passing on May 29, 2010, served as a poignant reminder of his immense contribution to the world of entertainment. Dennis Hopper's legacy lives on through his iconic body of work, which continues to resonate with audiences around the world, solidifying his status as a true Hollywood legend.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Apocalypse Now

Photojournalist

1979

At the height of the Vietnam war, Captain Benjamin Willard is sent on a dangerous mission that, officially, "does not exist, nor will it ever exist." His goal is to locate - and eliminate - a mysterious Green Beret Colonel named Walter Kurtz, who has been leading his personal army on illegal guerrilla missions into enemy territory.

Speed

Howard Payne

1994

Jack Traven, an LAPD cop on SWAT detail, and veteran SWAT officer Harry Temple thwart an extortionist-bomber's scheme for a $3 million ransom. As they corner the bomber, he flees and detonates a bomb vest, seemingly killing himself. Weeks later, Jack witnesses a mass transit city bus explode and nearby a pay phone rings. On the phone is that same bomber looking for vengeance and the money he's owed. He gives a personal challenge to Jack: a bomb is rigged on another city bus - if it slows down below 50 mph, it will explode - bad enough any day, but a nightmare in LA traffic. And that's just the beginning...

True Romance

Clifford Worley

1993

Clarence marries hooker Alabama, steals cocaine from her pimp, and tries to sell it in Hollywood, while the owners of the coke try to reclaim it.

Waterworld

Deacon

1995

In a futuristic world where the polar ice caps have melted and made Earth a liquid planet, a beautiful barmaid rescues a mutant seafarer from a floating island prison. They escape, along with her young charge, Enola, and sail off aboard his ship. But the trio soon becomes the target of a menacing pirate who covets the map to 'Dryland'—which is tattooed on Enola's back.

Hang 'em High

Prophet

1968

Marshall Jed Cooper survives a hanging, vowing revenge on the lynch mob that left him dangling. To carry out his oath for vengeance, he returns to his former job as a lawman. Before long, he's caught up with the nine men on his hit list and starts dispensing his own brand of Wild West justice.

Blue Velvet

Frank Booth

1986

The discovery of a severed human ear found in a field leads a young man on an investigation related to a beautiful, mysterious nightclub singer and a group of psychopathic criminals who have kidnapped her child.

True Grit

"Moon"

1969

The murder of her father sends a teenage tomboy on a mission of 'justice', which involves avenging her father's death. She recruits a tough old marshal, 'Rooster' Cogburn because he has 'true grit', and a reputation of getting the job done.

Giant

Jordan "Jordy" Benedict III

1956

Wealthy rancher Bick Benedict and dirt-poor cowboy Jett Rink both woo Leslie Lynnton, a beautiful young woman from Maryland who is new to Texas. She marries Benedict, but she is shocked by the racial bigotry of the White Texans against the local people of Mexican descent. Rink discovers oil on a small plot of land, and while he uses his vast, new wealth to buy all the land surrounding the Benedict ranch, the Benedict's disagreement over prejudice fuels conflict that runs across generations.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2

Lieutenant 'Lefty' Enright

1986

A radio host is victimized by the cannibal family as a former Texas marshal hunts them.

Easy Rider

Billy

1969

Wyatt and Billy, two Harley-riding hippies, complete a drug deal in Southern California and decide to travel cross-country in search of spiritual truth.

Land of the Dead

Kaufman

2005

The world is full of zombies and the survivors have barricaded themselves inside a walled city to keep out the living dead. As the wealthy hide out in skyscrapers and chaos rules the streets, the rest of the survivors must find a way to stop the evolving zombies from breaking into the city.

Cool Hand Luke

Babalugats

1967

When petty criminal Luke Jackson is sentenced to two years in a Florida prison farm, he doesn't play by the rules of either the sadistic warden or the yard's resident heavy, Dragline, who ends up admiring the new guy's unbreakable will. Luke's bravado, even in the face of repeated stints in the prison's dreaded solitary confinement cell, "the box," make him a rebel hero to his fellow convicts and a thorn in the side of the prison officers.

Hoosiers

Shooter

1986

Failed college coach Norman Dale gets a chance at redemption when he is hired to coach a high school basketball team in a tiny Indiana town. After a teacher persuades star player Jimmy Chitwood to quit and focus on his long-neglected studies, Dale struggles to develop a winning team in the face of community criticism for his temper and his unconventional choice of assistant coach: Shooter, a notorious alcoholic.

Super Mario Bros.

King Koopa

1993

Mario and Luigi, plumbers from Brooklyn, find themselves in an alternate universe where evolved dinosaurs live in hi-tech squalor. They're the only hope to save our universe from invasion by the dino dictator, Koopa.

EDtv

Henry 'Hank' Pekurny

1999

Video store clerk Ed agrees to have his life filmed by a camera crew for a tv network.

Rumble Fish

Father

1983

Rusty James, an absent-minded street thug, struggles to live up to his legendary older brother's reputation and longs for the days when gang warfare was going on.

Rebel Without a Cause

Goon

1955

After moving to a new town, troublemaking teen Jim Stark is supposed to have a clean slate, although being the new kid in town brings its own problems. While searching for some stability, Stark forms a bond with a disturbed classmate, Plato, and falls for local girl Judy. However, Judy is the girlfriend of neighborhood tough, Buzz. When Buzz violently confronts Jim and challenges him to a drag race, the new kid's real troubles begin.

Black Widow

Ben Dumers

1987

Federal agent Alexandra Barnes believes that Catherine Petersen is a serial killer who marries rich men and then murders them for their money. But since Catherine is seemingly a master of disguise and has multiple identities, Alexandra can't prove anything with conventional detective work. With no other option, she goes undercover, pursuing the same man as Catherine, and hoping that Catherine will slip up and reveal her true identity.

Basquiat

Bruno Bischofberger

1996

The brief life of Jean Michel Basquiat, a world renowned New York street artist struggling with fame, drugs and his identity.

Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes

Self (archive footage)

2024

Newly discovered interviews with Elizabeth Taylor and unprecedented access to the star’s personal archive reveal the complex inner life and vulnerability of the groundbreaking icon.

The Sons of Katie Elder

Dave Hastings

1965

The four sons of Katie Elder reunite in their hometown of Clearwater, Texas for their mother's funeral, and discover that the family ranch is now in the hands of Morgan Hastings, the town's gunsmith.

Knockaround Guys

Benny Chains

2001

Four sons of well-known New York mobsters must retrieve a bag of cash from a small Montana town ruled by a corrupt sheriff.

Hell Ride

Eddie Zero

2008

Two rival bikers gangs, the Victors and the Six-Six-Six's, refuel their decades-old rivalry.

Red Rock West

Lyle from Dallas

1993

When a promised job for Texan Michael fails to materialize in Wyoming, Mike is mistaken by Wayne to be the hitman he hired to kill his unfaithful wife, Suzanne. Mike takes full advantage of the situation, collects the money, and runs. During his getaway, things go wrong, and soon get worse when he runs into the real hitman, Lyle.

River's Edge

Feck

1986

A group of high-school friends must come to terms with the fact that one of them, Samson, killed another, Jamie. Faced with the brutality of death, each must decide whether to turn their friend in to the police, or to help him escape the consequences of his dreadful deed.

Head

Dennis Hopper (uncredited)

1968

In this surrealistic and free-form follow-up to the Monkees' television show, the band frolic their way through a series of musical set pieces and vignettes containing humor and anti-establishment social commentary.

Production

Easy Rider

Screenplay

1969

Wyatt and Billy, two Harley-riding hippies, complete a drug deal in Southern California and decide to travel cross-country in search of spiritual truth.

The Hot Spot

Director

1990

Upon arriving to a small town, a drifter quickly gets into trouble with the local authorities — and the local women — after he robs a bank.