Veteran Hollywood actor Dennis Hopper dies at 74
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Veteran Hollywood actor, director and artist Dennis Hopper, who was best known for writing, directing and starring in the 1969 cult film "Easy Rider," died after a bitter struggle against prostate cancer at his Venice, California home early Saturday morning. He was 74.
The actor died at 8:15 AM local time (1515 GMT), with his family and friends at his side, his friend Alex Hitz said.
Born on May 17, 1936 in Dodge City, Kansas and raised in Kansas City, Missouri and San Diego, Hopper made his film debut in the classic 1955 tale of teenage rebellion, "Rebel Without a Cause." He received two Oscar nominations during his long and fruitful career. He had appeared in some 150 films. Some of them have become the iconic and classic movies in modern moviemaking history.
In 1969, Hopper received his best original screenplay Academy Award nomination for co-writing the script of "Easy Rider," which he directed and starred in with Peter Fonda and Jack Nicholson. His performance as a basketball-loving drunkard in 1986 basketball film "Hoosiers" brought him another Oscar nomination for best supporting actor.
Hopper had also appeared in some television dramas since he first played a role in the 1955 NBC medical drama "Medic."
In March, he received a star on the famed Hollywood Walk of Fame. Although terminally ill, he managed to appear at the event, which also saw Jack Nicholson and other Hollywood celebrities joining him.
"Everything I've learned, I've learned from Hollywood," Hopper said while recalling his early Hollywood career. "This has been my home and my schooling."
Best known for road movie "Easy Rider," Hopper came to Los Angeles and started to play in Hollywood movies when he was 18.
Also in March, the actor was tormented by a bitter battle with Victoria Duffy, his fifth and estranged wife. He was too ill to appear at the court. The judge ruled in Duffy's favor.
In October 2009, Hopper revealed he had advanced prostate cancer. Three months later, it was reported that Hopper's cancer had metastasized to his bones.
Hopper was survived by four children. Funeral arrangements are pending.
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