In Character: Dennis Hopper

Dennis Hopper’s film and television career spanned nearly six decades, in which he delivered more than 200 roles. From loyal sons to crazed photojournalists, easy riders to drunk fathers – there was never a role too dark, or an area of the psyche left unexplored. A pioneering Method actor who trained under Lee Strasberg, Hopper was known for fully immersing himself into his work, which often caused problems, but consistently generated amazing performances. There were many roles to choose from for this post, but I do hope you enjoy my picks. As always, feel free to share your favorite Hopper roles as well.

Five Essential Roles

Giant (1956)

Jordan “Jordy” Benedict III

As the only son of wealthy rancher, Jordan “Bick” Benedict, Jr. (Rock Hudson), and Texas socialite, Leslie Lynnton (Elizabeth Taylor), young Jordy shakes things up from the beginning. When Jordy announces his intention to marry a Mexican woman, for example, Bick is immediately skeptical, aware of the potential dangers a mixed marriage could bring.

At its heart, George Stevens’ masterful Giant is about acceptance. And watching a young Hopper fight for he and his wife to be accepted makes for some of Giant’s finest moments. Late in the film, a rich oil tycoon named Jett Rink (James Dean), insults Jordy’s wife and beats Jordy in public. It’s a fiery scene, two acid-hot young actors at the peak of their early abilities. Then later, in a hotel room, Jordy has it out with his mother and father. Both Hudson and Taylor were nearly never better than they were in Giant, and it’s great to watch Hopper hold his own against them. Pound for pound, word for word, the man could carry a fight from the very beginning.

Easy Rider (1969)

Billy

I’ll admit, Dennis Hopper’s perseverance behind the camera is more noteworthy than his actual performance in Easy Rider. As the co-writer and director of the film, Hopper earned a place in cinema history for creating one of the most unapologetic “Fuck Yous” in the history of American film. Easy Rider changed so many things, not just for movies, but for a generation of people who were looking to be heard. Watching Hopper’s Billy and Peter Fonda’s Wyatt cruise across America in search of freedom, understanding, money and dope, has never lost its appeal. One simply cannot talk about Dennis Hopper’s legacy without stressing the importance of Easy Rider.

Apocalypse Now (1979)

Photojournalist

There are many ways to deliver a great performance. And at this particular point in his career, Hopper chose to show up to the jungle location of Apocalypse Now as crazed as the maniacal photojournalist he was cast to play. Consistently drunk on booze and amped on coke (and never bothering to shower), Hopper delivered a captivating and insane performance. All told, his character isn’t really in the film for that long, but because of Hopper’s wild antics, it’s impossible to ignore his presence. There’s so much danger and raw energy in his work; you have no idea where he’s going to go, but you can’t wait to see what he does (and, of course, says) next.

Hoosiers (1986)

Shooter

Hopper received his only acting Oscar nomination for playing the heartbreaking and hopelessly drunk Shooter in Hoosiers. And while one can assume that Hopper had plenty of personal experience to draw on (his Shooter is one of the most convincing drunks I’ve ever seen on film), Hopper had actually gotten sober before filming began, which makes me appreciate this performance that much more. Hoosiers may be Gene Hackman’s show, but Hopper steals every single scene he’s in. From soberly helping the team win a crucial game as assistant coach, to storming onto the court stone drunk in the middle of a game. Shooter made for one of the best character arcs of Hopper’s career.

True Romance (1993)

Clifford Worley

One of the best conversations in all of cinema. Expertly written, perfectly performed. And Hopper’s face at 9:42 just kills me.

Wild Card

Speed (1994)

Howard Payne

The thing about Dennis Hopper is that it never mattered what he was in, he was always worth watching. King Koopa in Super Mario Bros., Deacon in Waterworld, Howard Payne in Speed – there’s always something to take away from a Hopper performance. He has so much fun terrorizing Los Angeles in Speed, it’s one of the reasons the film is so compulsively rewatchable. Crazy, not stupid. That’s damn right.

The Best of the Best

Blue Velvet (1986)

Frank Booth

There’s every other Dennis Hopper character, and then there’s Frank Booth. A uniquely psychotic madman who huffs gas, drinks Pabst Blue Ribbon and loves Roy Orbison. It’s the kind of character that could only exist in David Lynch’s world. Yet, rather famously, upon auditioning for the part, Hopper told Lynch “I’ve got to play Frank! I Am Frank!” which itself is a terrifying thought.

One of the things that makes Hopper so interesting to watch is trying to figure out how much of him, Dennis Hopper, is in each of his characters. Hopper was notoriously Method, so when we watch Blue Velvet, we know within seconds of meeting Frank Booth that he will be unlike any character Hopper ever played. And given how many lunatics Hopper played, it’s saying quite a lot that Frank remains the highlight. Truly, Frank is one of the most dangerous film performances I’ve ever seen. No apologies, no inhibitions. And really, what else could we expect from such a fearless performer?

Other Notable Roles

in Rumble Fish

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957)

Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Hang ‘Em High (1968)

True Grit (1969)

The Last Movie (1971)

The American Friend (1977) 

Tracks (1977)

Out of the Blue (1980)

Rumble Fish (1983)

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)

River’s Edge (1987)

Black Widow (1987)

The Pick-up Artist (1987)

The Indian Runner (1991)

Boiling Point (1993)

Super Mario Bros. (1993)

Red Rock West (1993)

Waterworld (1995)

Basquiat (1996)

Edtv (1999)

Jesus’ Son (1999)

Knockaround Guys (2001)

24 (2002)

Land of the Dead (2005)

Entourage (2007)

Crash (2008-2009)

Swing Vote (2008)

Elegy (2008)