Dennis Hopper RIP

Cancer catches up with Dennis Hooper

Actor, director and all-round Hollywood legend has died in Venice, California, of cancer at the age of 74. Hopper, who first came to fame with “Easy Rider”, had a very varied career but was a regular visitor to Cannes. In a period clip from French archives he and Dean Stockwell rode along the Croisette in Cannes. In the subsequent mini-interview, they complained about their lack of work. Hopper has his hand prints embedded in the square in front of the Palais.

Hopper picked up an award at the Cannes Film Festival for his iconic role in “Easy Rider”.

Actor, photographer

Hopper was nominated for two Academy Awards. Born in Dodge City, Kansas, in 1936, his father later moved the family to California. Hopper studied acting at the Old Globe Theatre, although he quickly transferred his studies to the Actors’ Studio in New York City which was recognised a hotbed of acting talent.

While in New York, Hopper found a passion for modern art, which became a big part of his life in later years. He made his film debut in the blockbuster, “Rebel Without a Cause” starring James Dean. The actor followed up the performance in the film “Giant” also with Dean.

Over the next ten years Hopper appeared in over 20 films. The year 1970 brought the filmmaker an Academy Award nomination for his screenplay in “Easy Rider”, a film which he directed and starred in with Peter Fonda. The actor had to wait another seventeen years before receiving a second nomination for his work in “Hoosiers”.  Hopper was also a noted photographer.