Dennis Hopper: His Characters Will Live Forever

I remember the first time I ever saw the actor Dennis Hopper on the big screen. He rode across the screen in Easy Rider with Peter Fonda. I remember watching the movie with interest and thinking to myself, "What an odd looking character." But there was something intriguing about his performance. Knowing nothing about the type of lifestyle he lived, I could sense that he was somewhat of a nonconformist. It seemed as if he took to these types of parts quite easily.

I remember the huge poster of him riding down the highway giving the world the finger. This shocked me due to my conservative background, but I recognized the attitude behind it. He looked the rest of the world in the eye and said, "You take me on my terms or don't take me at all."

Seeing him in Rebel without a Cause brought me to the conclusion that even though in my opinion he looked a trifle squirrelly, he was a man who took the acting profession quite seriously and had a view of life quite different than most people with whom you come into contact. Watching him act was not always a pretty sight, but for some reason I found it difficult to tear my eyes from the screen. The wildness of his eyes always dominated each scene.

Quite frankly, the one character that will live in my heart forever is the character "Shooter" from the classic sports movie Hoosiers. Hopper playing an alcoholic, but loveable former athlete, nearly steals the show from the Hickory basketball team. I remember having tears come to my eyes the first time I saw him listening to the championship game as he was drying out in the hospital. In spirit, he was present at the game and was his son's biggest fan. Merely the thought of him jumping up and down on the bed cheering the Hickory victory causes me to smile.

In my opinion, the victory of Shooter was as much an integral part of the plot as the state championship game won by Hickory. Dennis Hopper brought this character to life. Always in my mind, Dennis Hopper and Shooter will always be one and the same. He fought his personal demons, but always remained true to himself.

As an actor, he was in a class by himself. He carried himself with an intensity that caused the movie viewer to be riveted to every line and scene. As a fan, I mourn his passing. The entertainment industry is poorer now for the passing of Dennis Hopper. He will always inspire us with his nonconformist characters and raw energy portrayed in his performances.