Dennis Hopper (Getty Images) |
LOS ANGELES -- Actor Dennis Hopper died at his home in Venice Beach Saturday morning from complications of prostate cancer, according to a family friend.
Hopper died at 8:15 a.m. and was surrounded by his family and friends, said the friend, Alex Hitz. He was 74.
The actor was rushed to the hospital in New York in September 2009 for an unspecified condition and released after receiving treatment for dehydration.
Then, in October 2009, Hopper's manager revealed that the actor had advanced prostate cancer. In January 2010, it was reported that Hopper's cancer had metastasized to his bones.
Also in January, Hopper filed for divorce from Victoria Duffy, his fifth wife, after nearly 14 years of marriage.
Since then, they had been locked in a bitter feud, with Hopper calling Duffy "insane" and "inhuman" in court papers and alleging she stole $1.5 million dollars in art.
Hopper was granted a restraining order against Duffy.
He filed a declaration in February saying he was undergoing promising chemotherapy treatments and remained hopeful "that this treatment will be successful so that I may soon resume the full enjoyment of my life and work."
But according to papers filed in the ongoing divorce case in March 2010, Hopper was terminally ill and unable to undergo a deposition.
His physician, Dr. David Agus, wrote in a court filing that Hopper weighed just 100 pounds and couldn't carry on long conversations.
Still, on March 18, 2010, an ailing Hopper attended a ceremony where he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His doctor said he approved that appearance because it was likely to be a positive experience.
Hopper is best known for directing and starring in the 1969 cult classic "Easy Rider."
Hopper's career also included "Rebel Without a Cause," "Blue Velvet," "Apocalypse Now" and "Hoosiers."
Hopper died at 8:15 a.m. and was surrounded by his family and friends, said the friend, Alex Hitz. He was 74.
The actor was rushed to the hospital in New York in September 2009 for an unspecified condition and released after receiving treatment for dehydration.
Then, in October 2009, Hopper's manager revealed that the actor had advanced prostate cancer. In January 2010, it was reported that Hopper's cancer had metastasized to his bones.
Also in January, Hopper filed for divorce from Victoria Duffy, his fifth wife, after nearly 14 years of marriage.
Since then, they had been locked in a bitter feud, with Hopper calling Duffy "insane" and "inhuman" in court papers and alleging she stole $1.5 million dollars in art.
Hopper was granted a restraining order against Duffy.
He filed a declaration in February saying he was undergoing promising chemotherapy treatments and remained hopeful "that this treatment will be successful so that I may soon resume the full enjoyment of my life and work."
But according to papers filed in the ongoing divorce case in March 2010, Hopper was terminally ill and unable to undergo a deposition.
His physician, Dr. David Agus, wrote in a court filing that Hopper weighed just 100 pounds and couldn't carry on long conversations.
Still, on March 18, 2010, an ailing Hopper attended a ceremony where he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His doctor said he approved that appearance because it was likely to be a positive experience.
Hopper is best known for directing and starring in the 1969 cult classic "Easy Rider."
Hopper's career also included "Rebel Without a Cause," "Blue Velvet," "Apocalypse Now" and "Hoosiers."
