Who Is Dennis Hopper? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Dennis Hopper was born on May 17, 1936, in Dodge City, Kansas, and he passed away on May 29, 2010, in Venice, California. With a career spanning over six decades, Hopper was not only an acclaimed actor but also a talented filmmaker and artist. He gained notoriety through his roles in films like "Easy Rider," "Blue Velvet," and "Rebel Without a Cause," which solidified his status as a cultural icon. Throughout his life, Hopper was known for his unique artistic vision and commitment to avant-garde cinema.
| Occupation | Photographers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 17, 1936 |
| Age | 74 Years |
| Birth Place | Dodge City, Kansas, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 29 May, 2010 |
| Died Place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Dennis Hopper's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
At the time of his life, Dennis Hopper stood approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall and weighed around 165 pounds (75 kg). His distinctive features were often complemented by his rugged style, which contributed to his versatile ability to play a wide range of characters from the brooding anti-hero to the whimsical artist.
Besides showing drug use on film, it was one of the first films to portray the hippie lifestyle. Hopper became a role model for some male youths who rejected traditional jobs and traditional American culture, partly exemplified by Fonda's long sideburns and Hopper wearing shoulder-length hair and a long mustache.
They were denied rooms in motels and proper service in restaurants as a result of their radical looks. Their long hair became a point of contention in various scenes during the film.
Journalist Ann Hornaday wrote: "With its portrait of counterculture heroes raising their middle fingers to the uptight middle-class hypocrisies, Easy Rider became the cinematic symbol of the 1960s, a celluloid anthem to freedom, macho bravado and anti-establishment rebellion".
Film critic Matthew Hays wrote "no other persona better signifies the lost idealism of the 1960s than that of Dennis Hopper".
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Dennis Hopper was married three times and had a total of four children. His most notable marriage was to actress Daria Halprin from 1972 to 1976. Later, he married Victoria Duffy in 1996. Hopper's personal life was often in the limelight, with various relationships reported throughout his career. While he passed away in 2010, his legacy continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers and actors.
After World War II, the family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where the young Hopper attended Saturday art classes at the Kansas City Art Institute.
When he was 13, Hopper and his family moved to San Diego, where his mother worked as a lifeguard instructor and his father was a post office manager, having previously served in the Office of Strategic Services, the precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency, in World War II in the China Burma India Theater.
Hopper was voted most likely to succeed at Helix High School, where he was active in the drama club, speech and choir. It was there that he developed an interest in acting, studying at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, and the Actors Studio in New York City (he studied with Lee Strasberg for five years).
Hopper struck up a friendship with actor Vincent Price, whose passion for art influenced Hopper's interest in art. He was especially fond of the plays of William Shakespeare.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death, Dennis Hopper's net worth was estimated to be around $40 million. He accumulated wealth from his prolific career in film, television, and art. Hopper was known not only for acting but also for directing and producing, which contributed significantly to his financial success. His innovative approach to filmmaking and his investment in the art world helped solidify his status as a creative force.
In 1994, Rip Torn filed a defamation lawsuit against Hopper over a story Hopper told on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Hopper claimed that Torn pulled a knife on him during pre-production of the film Easy Rider. According to Hopper, Torn was originally cast in the film but was replaced with Jack Nicholson after the incident.
According to Torn's suit, it was actually Hopper who pulled the knife on him. A judge ruled in Torn's favor and Hopper was ordered to pay US$475,000 in damages. Hopper then appealed but the judge again ruled in Torn's favor and Hopper was required to pay another US$475,000 in punitive damages.
Career, Business and Investments
Dennis Hopper's career began as a young actor in television and transitioned to film, where he gained notable acclaim. He directed and starred in the groundbreaking film "Easy Rider," which became a cultural phenomenon and a defining piece of American cinema in the late 1960s. Over the years, he directed several films and continued to appear in prominent roles, showcasing his range as an actor. In addition to acting, he was an avid painter and sculptor, with his artwork being showcased in galleries worldwide. Hopper’s investments in art and film projects further augmented his income and legacy in the entertainment industry.
Hopper was reported to have had an uncredited role in Johnny Guitar in 1954, but he was quoted as saying he was not in Hollywood when the film was made. Hopper made his debut on film in two roles with James Dean (whom he admired immensely) in Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956).
Dean's death in a car accident in September 1955 affected the young Hopper deeply and it was shortly afterward that he got into a confrontation with veteran director Henry Hathaway on the film From Hell to Texas (1958).
Hopper reportedly forced Hathaway to shoot more than 80 takes of a scene over several days before he acquiesced to Hathaway's direction. After filming was finally completed, Hathaway allegedly told Hopper that his career in Hollywood was finished.
Social Network
Though Dennis Hopper passed away in 2010, his influence continues through various social networks and platforms dedicated to his work and legacy. Fans, filmmakers, and art enthusiasts frequently share memories and discussions about his contributions to cinema and the arts. Social media channels highlight his iconic roles and directorial achievements, celebrating his enduring impact on film and culture.
Hopper studied acting at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego and the Actors Studio in New York. He made his first television appearance in 1954, and soon after appeared in two of the films that made James Dean famous, Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956). He then played supporting roles in films like Gunfight at the O.K.
Corral (1957), The Sons of Katie Elder (1965), Cool Hand Luke (1967), Hang 'Em High (1968) and True Grit (1969). Hopper made his directorial film debut with Easy Rider (1969), which he and co-star Peter Fonda wrote with Terry Southern.
The film earned Hopper a Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Debut, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. He also began a prolific and acclaimed photography career in the 1960s.
Education
Dennis Hopper attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he was a theatre arts student. His time at UCLA allowed him to hone his skills and gain exposure to a diverse range of artistic expressions that would come to define his career. The education earned there laid the groundwork for his later successes as a multidisciplinary artist.
After staging a "suicide attempt" (really more of a daredevil act) in a coffin using 17 sticks of dynamite during an "art happening" at the Rice University Media Center (filmed by professor and documentary filmmaker Brian Huberman), and later disappearing into the Mexican desert during a particularly extravagant bender, Hopper entered a drug rehabilitation program in 1983.
