Dennis Hopper Dies from Prostate Cancer

The original easy rider, Dennis Hopper died today, succumbing to the prostate cancer that he had been battling since 2007. He was 74 years old.

It was during the rowdy and excessive 1960's, that Dennis Hopper made a name for himself and put a stamp on Hollywood, by directing and starring in the 1969 movie classic, Easy Rider, along with actor Peter Fonda, son of the legendary, Henry Fonda, and another Hollywood legend, Jack Nicholson.

Very much born to be wild like so many other 1960's music and acting icons, Dennis Hopper certainly sowed his own wild oats. His drug abuse and alcohol abuse was well known and not only interfered with his ability to work consistently, but took its toll on his health and personal life.

Dennis Hopper was married 5 times and had 4 children and 2 grandchildren. One of his marriages included a brief, whirlwind marriage to fellow druggie and wild child herself, Michelle Phillips, from the 1960's singing group, The Mamas & the Papas.

But, like so many others of the 60's generation, age mellowed Dennis Hopper and he gave up his more destructive ways, even becoming more politically conservative in his advancing years.

In addition to his health taking a turn for the worse this year, Dennis's latest marriage to Victoria Duffy was also in the news. In January, though gravely ill and said to be nearing death, Dennis Hopper abruptly filed for divorce from his wife of 14 years.

The divorce filing fueled much speculation as to why Dennis Hopper would seek to divorce his wife, with whom he also had a very young child, on his death bed.

Victoria and her attorney claimed it was Dennis's adult children who were behind the divorce filing and who were simply trying to cut Victoria out of their father's will.

As a result, Dennis Hopper's last few months of life were fraught with much stress and acrimony which certainly didn't do much to ease the burden of his physical suffering from cancer.

Those who knew Dennis Hopper well, had great respect for him as an artist and a friend. Though Dennis Hopper himself said that due to his drug and alcohol abuse, he "didn't leave a meaningful body of work."

Only time will tell if Dennis Hopper's body of work was meaningful or not. But, without question, he made his mark on Hollywood and an entire generation that will be remembered for years to come.

Dennis Hopper, wild man and easy rider, will certainly be missed.

Sources:

RadarOnline
IMDb
Wikipedia
People.com