Dennis Hopper Biography

Fast Facts

• In addition to acting and directorial talents, he was also recognized as one of the foremost collectors of art in the U․S, as well as being a talented painter and photographer whose work has often been showcased, published and displayed
• He was honored as a ranking commander France’s National Order of Arts and Letters
• Attended the Actors Studio in New York City, where he studied for five years under Lee Strasberg, who is widely considered to be the "father" of American Method acting, inspired by the Stanislavski method
• From early in career, shared social circles with icons such as Vincent Price, Elvis Presley and James Dean, whose death affected him so deeply he later credited John Wayne for saving his career from a period of what he called "insolent behavior․"
• Quote: "There are moments that I've had some real brilliance, you know․ But I think they are moments․ And sometimes, in a career, moments are enough․"
• Quote: "(Insisting to David Lynch after reading the script for "Blue Velvet․") "I have to play Frank Booth, because I am Frank Booth․""
• For most of early career, had a series of personal troubles and widely publicized alcohol and drug addiction, but became sober after seeking treatment in the 1980s
• After early acclaim in Westerns and biker films, he sustained his fame amid periods of personal turmoil by expertly portraying a series of eccentric villains and psychotics, most notably as Frank Booth in "Blue Velvet․"
• Appeared in more than 100 episodes of TV shows, including high-profile series such as "Petticoat Junction," "The Twilight Zone" and "Entourage․"
• At Helix High School, was voted as the Class of 1954’s "Most Likely to Succeed․"