Dennis Hopper, the maverick director and costar of the landmark 1969 counterculture film classic “Easy Rider” whose drug- and alcohol-fueled reputation as a Hollywood bad boy preceded his return to sobriety and a career resurgence in the films ” Hoosiers” and “Blue Velvet,” died Saturday. He was 74.

A longtime resident of Venice who also was known as a photographer, artist and collector of modern art, Hopper died at his home of complications from prostate cancer, said Alex Hitz, a friend of the family.

A frail-looking Hopper, whose battle with prostate cancer was revealed in October, was able to attend a ceremony for the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in late March.

In a more than five-decade acting career that was influenced early on by working with James Dean and studying at the Actors Studio, he made his film debut as one of the high school gang members who menace Dean in the 1955 classic “Rebel Without a Cause.”

One of the Best.




  1. Steve says:

    Gary Coleman — Dead, and this guy passes.

  2. TThor says:

    Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda made a film the world had not seen before. A piece reflecting the time and the notion for a peculiar part of that generation. The film, the music and Jack Nicholson too, made a difference. The topic just as, or even more important today than then. Innocence gone. Innocence still gone. Time for peace and love and respect for humanity and the God given individual freedoms.

    Easy Rider is my chosen memory of Dennis Hopper. Rest in peace!

  3. KD Martin says:

    He starred in some great PC adventure games, too. One made just a few years ago. One was 8 CDs worth of game and had great video. I wonder how long it will be before I can go back and play them…

  4. Frank says:

    Billy..” why donja get a harcut”.. RIP Peter

  5. Frank says:

    RIP Dennis (Referring to movie peter)

  6. Dallas says:

    Is that Cheech or Chong?

  7. lastfilmwasforever says:

    “Is that Cheech or Chong?”

    Anyone remember the bit of one of there albums,
    about someones selling a truck in the south….

    “Includes the Easy-Rider rifle rack with room for
    not one but two of your favorite rifles”

    #20 Come on. Your are _not_ a moron , but haven’t you been to high-school? You’ve NEVER been called that?

  8. Mextli says:

    #20 “Actually, you’re the first to call me a moran. Cheers.”

    I would be proud to own a towing company.

  9. Floyd says:

    We saw Dennis Hopper and a lady friend his age (maybe a spouse, maybe not) in a New Mexican restaurant in Taos around the time of Blue Velvet. We left them alone (the general rule for celebrities in New Mexico), and he seemed to be a first rate gentleman.

  10. Frweatherby says:

    Why “passes” in the title? What’s wrong with the word “dies” ?



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