Dennis Hopper

Dennis Hopper was known to have troubled relationships with women. In 1961, he married actress Brooke Hayward. The couple had a daughter Marin Hopper (born in 1962). However, they separated in 1969.

In October 1970, he married singer and songwriter, Michelle Phillips. The marriage lasted for a mere eight days and the couple split in November 1970.

He married psychologist and actress, Daria Halprin, in 1972. They had a daughter named Ruthanna Hopper, born in 1974. The couple divorced in 1976.

Dennis Hopper was born on 17 May 1936 in Dodge City, Kansas, to James Milliard Hopper and Majorjie Mae. He had two brothers, Marvin and David.

Post World War II, he shifted to Kansas City along with his family. While here, he attended Saturday art classes at the Nelson Art Gallery. At the gallery, he was also exposed to drama classes. At the age of 13, Hooper and his family shifted to San Diego where his mother took up work as a lifeguard instructor.

He went on to study acting at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego and at the Actors Studio, New York. During this time he made friends with actor Vincent Prince. He was supposedly fond of William Shakespeare’s plays.

Dennis Hopper began his career in acting during the early 1950s. His first role is said to be an unaccredited role in the feature film ‘Johnny Guitar’ (1954). He made his debut in Hollywood with minor roles like ‘Rebel without a Cause’ (1955) and ‘Giant’ (1956).

In 1959, he moved to New York to study Method acting under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio. Two years later, in 1961, he played the lead role in the supernatural thriller ‘Night tide’.

Due to his rude and arrogant behavior, he could not find work in Hollywood for seven years. It was then that he turned to his passion, photography. He was known for his portraits and in the 1960s he worked for Vogue and other magazines. He also began work as a poet and painter.

In 1965, he restarted his career with a role in John Wayne’s ‘The Sons of Katie Elder’. In 1967, he appeared in a supporting role in the film’ Cool Hand Luke’.

His greatest success on screen was the release of the road movie ‘Easy Rider’ (1969). Dennis Hopper was as co-writer, actor, director and editor of the film. The same year he was also part of the feature film ‘True Grit’.

Dennis Hopper’s best known works as an actor include feature films like ’Hoosiers’, ‘Blue Velvet’ and ‘Easy Rider’ which he directed and co-wrote as well. He was also a talented photographer with his works displayed in several museums and galleries.