PictureLux Hollywood Report: Actor Dennis Hopper Dead at 74

Multi-talented and unconventional actor/director Dennis Hopper, best known for directing and starring in the 1969 counter-culture classic "Easy Rider," died on Saturday from complications of prostate cancer, a friend of the actor said. Hopper was 74.

Dennis Hopper was reportedly surrounded by friends and family when he died Saturday May 29, 2010 at his home after a long battle with prostate cancer. Hopper was diagnosed with the disease last October. In January, it was reported that Hopper’s cancer had metastasized to his bones.

Having starred in more than 100 movies, Hopper is perhaps best known for his roles in Apocalypse Now, Blue Velvet, and Hoosiers, along with the iconic Easy Rider, which he also co-wrote and directed. Co-star and co-writer Peter Fonda released the following statement upon news of Hopper's death.

"Dennis introduced me to the world of Pop Art and "lost" films. We rode the highways of America and changed the way movies were made in Hollywood. I was blessed by his passion and friendship." (Photo © Joe Martinez/PictureLux - All Rights Reserved)

He was born Dennis Lee Hopper on May 17, 1936 in Dodge City, Kansas. As a young man, Hopper became interested in acting and eventually became a student of the Actors Studio. He made his first television appearance in 1955, and appeared in two films featuring James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956). Over the next ten years, Hopper appeared frequently on television in guest roles, and by the end of the 1960s had played supporting roles in several films. He directed and starred in Easy Rider (1969), winning an award at the Cannes Film Festival, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay as co-writer of the film's script.

Hopper was unable to build on this success for several years, until a featured role in Apocalypse Now (1979) brought him attention. He subsequently received critical recognition for his work in Blue Velvet and Hoosiers, with the latter film garnering him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Hopper's more recent work included a leading role in the television series Crash.

Hopper was a prolific photographer, painter, and sculptor whose works have been exhibited worldwide.

On January 12, 2010, several months after the cancer diagnosis, Hopper had filed for divorce from his wife Victoria Duffy leading to an extended public feud between the couple over the course of the following months.

Dennis Hopper Trivia according to IMDB:

Belonged to the Top 100 collectors of modern art.

At one time, was blackballed from Hollywood roles for eight years.

Graduate of Helix High School, La Mesa, California. Class of 1954, which voted him "Most Likely To Succeed."

James Dean learned he had an interest in photography when they worked together, and encouraged him to pursue it as an alternative to just being an actor. Hopper published a book of photos in the late 1980s, including pictures of stars he'd known, and thanked Dean.

His performance as Frank Booth in Blue Velvet (1986) is ranked #54 on Premiere Magazine's 100

Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.

Alumni of the Lee Strasberg Institute.

His 1970 marriage to Michelle Phillips lasted just a few days, during his wild and woolly, drug-fueled period.

Received the 2,403th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 26, 2010.

Believed that James Dean was the best actor he ever worked with since he met him on the set of Rebel Without a Cause (1955).

Thought that the worst movie that he was ever in was The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986).