Zachary FenellCelebrity Birthday Tribute- Dennis Hopper
May 17th 2007 15:05
Born on May 17, 1936 in Dodge City, Kansas, Dennis Hopper grew to love acting. Moving to La Mesa, California, he found himself voted in high school most likely to succeed. In 1955 Dennis had his big break into show business playing the role of an epileptic in the series Medic. His horizons broadened when he was cast with his film idol James Dean in Rebel Without A Cause as well as the movie Giant. Following the death of Dean and still grieving, Dennis agreed to do the film From Hell To Texas with director Henry Hathaway. Hopper was blacklisted from working in Hollywood for a few years due to his confrontation with Hathaway and refusing to follow his directions.
Hopper set his sights on television and appeared well over 130 episodes of shows such as Combat, The Twighlight Zone and America’s favorite: Bonanza.
His attention turned back to movies, and he appeared in Cool Hand Luke with Paul Newman in 1967. Hopper was cast alongside John Wayne in 1965 in The Sons of Katie Elder and in 1969 for True Grit. True acknowledgement of his talent came when he made the movie Easy Rider with Peter Fonda. As director, he created new visual enhancements in film making such as stop action photography. He became known for his improvisation.
He has since appeared in movies such as Mad Dog Morgan, Apocalypse Now, RumbleFish, Out of the Blue, and Speed (this is only a few movies). He directed the movie Colors starring Robert Duvall and Sean Penn. He won critical acclaim for his role of Frank Booth in Blue Velvet. He was awarded an Oscar nomination for his role opposite Gene Hackman in Hoosiers. He was given an Emmy nomination for the HBO films Doublecrossed and Paris Trout. He has appeared in the television series 24, as well as the E-Ring.
In addition to his acting and directing, Dennis Hopper is also a painter, poet and photographer.
So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DENNIS HOPPER! I WISH YOU LONG LIFE AND HAPPINESS!
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The film Paris, Trout is an all time fave and his performance is as powerful as any Ive seen onscreen.
His role in Blue Velvet was chilling and brilliant. Apocalypse Now, looney and rivetting.
His portrayal of Tom Ripley in My American Friend was fantastic too.
River's Edge also contained one of his most refined portrayals.
Have a guilty pleasure In the Hopper Directed "The Hot Spot" with Jennifer Connely....I also really dug "The Last Movie".
Basquait and True Romance saw him return to form briefly.
I really felt embarrassed for him having to do Speed, such a hamfisted role at least he treated with the over the top, lack of respect it deserved, phoning in the part.
A great mini salute to a talented performer who sadly doesn't get cast in anything but straight to video fodder these days, a tragedy.