Actor, filmmaker, artist, icon and iconoclast Dennis Hopper has passed away today at the age of 74.
Best known for writing and directing “Easy Rider,” Hopper’s career spanned five decades with roles as varied and unique as the man himself. While the baby-boomer set might remember his cult classic with Peter Fonda and Jack Nicholson, his work included roles that provided entry points into his career for different generations of fans with memorable turns in a diverse array of films, including Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now,” David Lynch’s “Blue Velvet” and Jan De Bont’s “Speed.” Hopper’s career might not have been the same had it not been for working alongside James Dean in “Rebel Without A Cause” and “Giant,” with the actor taking Hopper under his wing and mentoring him. Hopper was recognized by the Academy twice, nominated for writing “Easy Rider” and his turn opposite Gene Hackman in “Hoosiers.”
Hopper was also known for his artwork which spanned photography, painting and sculpture; he even created the cover art for Ike & Tina Turner’s “River Deep, Mountain High.” In April it was announced that a Julian Schnabel-curated exhibit of Hopper’s works would be part of the inaugural show by Jeffrey Deitch at the Museum Of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.
Hopper had been ill with prostate cancer for much of the past year but continued to work as much as he could. He received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this last March and is survived by his four children.