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Dennis Hopper and Prostate Cancer

From , former About.com Guide

Updated June 03, 2010

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Dennis Hopper, famed actor, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009 and succumbed to the disease in May 2010.

Dennis Hopper's Life

Hopper earned international fame for his roles in over 100 films including Easy Rider, Blue Velvet, Apocalypse Now, and Hoosiers. His life on screen spanned parts of six decades and he earned numerous distinctions for his work.

Arguably Hopper's biggest splash in Hollywood came in 1969 when he directed and starred in the movie Easy Rider alongside Peter Fonda and Jack Nicholson. The film came to be a cultural touchstone among the youth of that era and Hopper became an international star.

The 1970s were a period of turmoil and struggle for Hopper as he battled drug and alcohol addiction before re-emerging substance-free in the 80s.

His acting career reignited in the 80s as he starred in several movies such as Blue Velvet and River's Edge.

Dennis Hopper and Prostate Cancer

In late 2009, Hopper was rushed to a Manhattan hospital with what was thought at the time by the public to be a temporary illness. In later October 2009, however, Hopper's publicist announced that Hopper was suffering from advanced prostate cancer. It was later revealed that his prostate cancer had spread to his bones.

Hopper's health quickly deteriorated throughout the remainder of 2009 and early 2010. By March of 2010 it had become clear that his disease was terminal.

Hopper passed away on May 29, 2010, at his home in Venice, California. He was 74 years old.

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