RIP: Dennis Hopper (1936-2010)
The word “icon” was invented for people like Dennis Hopper, and today we got the sad news that early this morning he lost his battle with prostate cancer at the age of 74.
USA Today has a comprehensive overview of Hopper’s life and career that’s fascinating reading for those unfamiliar with the man. For genre fans he’ll probably always best be known as Frank Booth in David Lynch’s groundbreaking 1986 film Blue Velvet, but he’s also left his mark in several other horror projects including a 1963 appearance in “The Twilight Zone” episode “He’s Alive”, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, George A. Romero’s Land of the Dead, and House of 9.
For many of us of a certain age, however, Hopper will always be the quintessential anti-hero Billy from Easy Rider. For others he’ll be that hyper-manic photojournalist who rambles on about Marlon Brando’s nutty Col. Kurtz in 1979’s Apocalypse Now. Hopper leaves a legacy unmatched by many others, not only as it relates to cinema but also his outspoken, unpredictable personality.
Dennis Hopper died in Venice, California, surrounded by his family and friends. Our condolences go out to all of them.
In closing, here’s how Hopper himself once described his life and times: “I am just a middle-class farm boy from Dodge City, [Kansas], and my grandparents were wheat farmers. I thought painting, acting, directing, and photography were all part of being an artist. I have made my money that way. And I have had some fun. It’s not been a bad life.”
RIP.
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