Dennis Hopper

Dennis Hopper's film career has been long and varied. He admired legendary star James Dean immensely, starring with Dean in two films, "Giant" and "Rebel Without a Cause." He's shown here in "Rebel" in 1955 with Dean and Natalie Wood.

In 1969, Hopper, Jack Nicholson and Peter Fonda starred in the now classic "Easy Rider," a film that was plagued by personal woes for director and star Hopper. His first marriage broke up during the making of the film, and he fell into substance abuse. Hopper and Fonda also reportedly did not get along.

Hopper played a manic Vietnam War photographer in 1979's "Apocalypse Now," and many fans felt this character came the closest to Hopper's own personality.

In 1986's creepy "Blue Velvet," Hopper, shown with co-star Kyle MacLachlan, revived his acting career with his portrayal of sadomasochistic Frank Booth. Hopper reportedly begged director David Lynch to let him play the role, saying "I am Frank Booth."

Hopper, shown with co-star Gene Hackman, received an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor for his role in 1986's "Hoosiers."

Hopper and Sandra Bullock, along with Keanu Reeves, starred in 1994's blockbuster "Speed."

Hopper played one-eyed villain Deacon in 1995's "Waterworld," in which global warming has melted the ice caps and dry land is only a dream to most humans.

Hopper played art dealer Bruno Bischofberger in 1996's "Basquiat," with Jeffrey Wright as the postmodern artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, David Bowie as Andy Warhol and Gary Oldman as a character based on the film's director, Julian Schnabel.

Hopper and Elizabeth Hurley starred in the biblically based TV movie "Samson and Delilah" in 1996. Actor Eric Thal plays Samson, and Hopper was the general who convinces Hurley's Delilah to betray Samson, leading to his death.

Hopper poses in front of one of his artworks in the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam in 2001. He is a prolific photographer, painter and sculptor, and references to his movie work often find their way into his art.

Hopper poses for a portrait at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival while promoting the film "Land of the Dead." The zombie flick was the fourth of George A. Romero's zombie series and features Hopper playing a man who rules the fortress-like city of Philadelphia after zombies have multiplied to threaten humanity.

Hopper also starred in 2008's "An American Carol," a conservative parody of the work of liberal filmmaker Michael Moore.

An exhibition of Hopper's photographs was held in 2009 at a Miami Beach art museum.

Hopper attends the 2009 National Arts Awards presented by Americans for the Arts on Monday, Oct. 5, 2009 in New York.

A frail Hopper, terminally ill with prostate cancer, poses with his family after having been honored with the 2,403rd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 26, 2010. His 7-year-old daughter, Galen, hugs her daddy, whose doctor approved his appearance at the event, saying it was a positive experience.

Jack Nicholson poses with Hopper following Hopper's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Friday, March 27, 2010. Other stars in attendance were Viggo Mortensen, David Lynch and Dwight Yoakam. Hopper said the bandages near his eye were the result of a fall outside his home the day before the event.