Biography of Dennis Hopper (1936-2010)

Biography and ancestry of actor Dennis Hopper (1936-2010), with links so you can watch his films for free on YouTube.

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Written 2010 by Will Johnson
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This Knol should be cited as:
"Biography of Dennis Hopper (1936-2010)" on Knol, by Will Johnson wjhonson@aol.com for Chairpotato Entertainment Channel on Knol, copyright 2010
URL: http://knol.google.com/k/will-johnson/biography-of-dennis-hopper-1936-2010/4hmquk6fx4gu/510
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English Knol Project

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Dennis Hopper
first role in 1955's "Medic" TV-series
Click to Enlarge

1 Dennis Lee Hopper

Dennis Lee Hopper was born 17 May 1936 in Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, the son of Jay Millard Hopper and his wife Marjorie Mae Davis.  After World War II, the family moved to Kansas City, Missouri.  About 1949, the family moved to San Diego, where Hopper attended Helix High School in La Mesa, California, a suburb of San Diego.   
Dennis Hopper
first role in 1955's "Medic" TV-series
Click to Enlarge

He started acting in high school, later studying as well at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California and the Actors Studio in New York City where he studied with Lee Strasberg for five years.

Dennis Hopper had a bit part in 1955's James Dean vehicle "Rebel Without a Cause", also starring Sal Mineo and Natalie Wood.  (For more on Sal Mineo see my articles "Too Young to Die" and "Gay Rock Singers".) Hopper was one of the goons in the gang that torments James Dean. He is in the knife fight scene at Griffith Park Observatory on the roof of Dean's car.
Dennis Hopper in 1956's "Giant"
starring Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean
also notice Sal Mineo



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The following year he appeared in 1956's James Dean vehicle "Giant", also starring Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor.  Hopper plays Bick Benedict, the grown-up son of Rock Hudson. The picture to the left here is taken from Reel 13.


The film was made in 1955, but not released until 1956.  James Dean died in a car crash, Sep 1955 shortly after filming wrapped, an event which shattered Hopper.




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Night Tide (1961) romance horror
    starring Dennis Hopper, Linda Lawson
Dennis Hopper is a sailor who falls in love with a woman who plays a mermaid in a carnival side-show.  But her guardian warns him, that she really is a mermaid, and to love her is to tempt death.

This movie may very well be the all-time winner of the worst gaffing in film history.  Can we get some more light?!  It's so dark you should watch it with the lights off!  There does not appear to be one single frame where we can see a full-face without half of it in shadows!  They are sitting on a friggin deck in the bright sunlight, eating breakfast and yet they are half in shadow!  OK enough kvetching.

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Dennis Hopper married five times. His first wife was Brooke Hayward, daughter of Leland Hayward the movie agent, and his actress wife Margaret Sullavan (Margaret was the first wife of Henry Fonda). Dennis and Brooke married in 1961 and divorced in 1969, just as Dennis was co-starring with Peter Fonda in "Easy Rider". Peter was Henry's second child, by his second wife, making Peter and Dennis step-in-laws if I can coin that term.
Dennis Hopper in a
1964 episode of
"Petticoat Junction"
Click to Enlarge
 

Dennis Hopper guest-starred in a 1964 episode of "Petticoat Junction".  Click on the image at the left to watch it.

In 1967, Hopper played the role of Babalugats in the Paul Newman vehicle "Cool Hand Luke".

Easy Rider (1969) buddy film drama starring Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson
also notice Toni Basil (of "Oh Mickey You're So Fine" fame) and Karen Black (who starred in "Trilogy of Terror")

The Associate Producer on this film "William L Hayward" was the brother-in-law of Dennis Hopper who had married his sister Brooke Hayward.  The writing credit is given to Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Terry Southern.  This third person had worked on the screenplay for the Jane Fonda starring movie Barbarella (directed by her husband Roger Vadim).  It was through this connection that he met Peter Fonda.

The plot follows Peter Fonda and buddy Dennis Hopper just after making a big cocaine sell, who decide to ride their motorcycles to Florida to retire.  This movie chronicles their adventures along the way.

In 1969, Dennis Hopper played an outlaw named Moon in the John Wayne vehicle "True Grit".  Hopper's second wife, to whom he was married for only a week in 1970 was Michelle Phillips, singer (with Momma Cass) in the rock group "The Mamas & the Papas".  After his death, the Associated Press reported that "for most of the 70's he was strung out on drugs".  In 1979, Hopper played a photojournalist in "Apocalypse Now".  After his death, the Associated Press reported that in the 80s he had been detoxed after having been committed for hallucinations.

In 1986 in the film "Hooziers", he played the role of Shooter a hero of his high school's basketball team who later turned into the town drunk.  Also the year he played one of his most bizarre roles as Frank Booth, in David Lynch's nightmare film "Blue Velvet".  In 1993, Dennis Hopper was in the film "True Romance".  In this film, also starring Christian Slater, Christopher Walken and Patricia Arquette, Hopper played the father of Christian Slater's character.

In 1994, Hopper played the crazy ex-cop Howard Payne, starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.

Hopper died 29 May 2010 at his home in Venice, California of prostate cancer.
 

Secondary Sources for 1

 
 
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2 Jay Millard Hopper

Jay Millard Hopper was born in 23 Jun 1916 in Kansas, possibly in Scott City where the family is living in 1920.  Jay's parents were James C Hopper and his wife Bertie E Bell.  A posting to the Hopper Genforum states that Jay "grew up in La Junta, Colorado", but as we can see this is wrong.  Jay married on 21 Aug 1935 to Marjorie Davis, probably in or near Dodge City where he was already living with his own parents in 1930.  In 1936 the family was living in Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas when their son Dennis was born there.  After World War II, the family moved to Kansas  City, Missouri.  About 1949, they moved to San Diego, where they lived until at least 1954 when Dennis graduated from high school there.  Jay Hopper died 7 Aug 1982 in San Diego county; residing last in Lemon Grove, San Diego County, California.
 

Primary Sources for 2

Secondary Sources for 2

 
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3 Marjorie Mae Davis

Marjorie Mae Davis was born on 12 Jul 1917, the daughter of William Lonnie Davis and Nellie Bly McInteer.  Her obituary states that she was born in Ford County, Kansas, but it is interesting to note a possible discrepancy, as her father states just a month prior, that he was living in Ingalls, Gray County, Kansas.  However by 1920, they are enumerated at Bloom, Ford County, Kansas.  On 21 Aug 1935 Marjorie married "her high school sweetheart" Jay Millard Hopper.  In 1936 the family was living in Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas when their son Dennis was born there.  After World War II, the family moved to Kansas City, Missouri.  About 1949, they moved to San Diego.  Jay Hopper died in 1982.  Marjorie married again to Tom Stockman, who died before her.  Marjorie died in 12 Jan 2007 last resided in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California but her funeral was in San Diego
 

Primary Sources for 3

"CALIFORNIA – Marjorie D. Hopper, 89, passed away from complications from an infection.

She was born in Ford County on July 12, 1917 to William Lonnie Davis and Nellie Bly McInteer. On August 21, 1935 she married her high school sweetheart, Jay Millard Hopper. They had two beloved children, Dennis Lee Hopper and David Jay Hopper and lived in Dodge City until relocating to San Diego, Calif. in the 1940?s.

She managed the municipal pool in Dodge City and where she taught swimming lessons while Jay was fighting in World War II.

She enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren most of all towards the end. She was lively and charming and her spark will truly be missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Jay Millard Hopper, her sister Doris Lee Hanratty (Jim) and by her second husband Tom Stockman.

She is survived by her children, Dennis Lee Hopper (Victoria Duffy) and David Jay Hopper; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services will be held at Greenwood Memorial Park, 4300 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA 92112. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27th. Greenwood Memorial Park is in charge of the arrangements."
  • SSDI showing : "Marjorie D. Hopper born 12 Jul 1917 died 12 Jan 2007 last resided Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, SSN issued by Kansas"
 

Secondary Sources for 3

 
 
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4 James Clarence Hopper

James Clarence Hopper was born 10 Apr 1894 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.  He married Bertie E Bell, probably in Kansas where she was born; possibly in Scott City.  They had two children Jay Millard Hopper and Clarence Ray Hopper, both born in Kansas; probably in Scott City.  James Hopper died Jan 1979, residing last in Lemon Grove, San Diego County, California; but he evidently did not die in California as I find no CADI entry which could be him.
 

Primary Sources for 4

  • South, Dade County, Missouri, US Federal Census 1900, hosted at Ancestry showing : "Francis M Hopper, Aug 1861, 38, married 12 years ago, MO/KY/KY, Farmer, Owns Home; Viola V, wife, Jan 1870, 30, married 12 years ago, mother of 4, 4 living, MO/TN/NC; Thomas J, son, May 1887, 13, MO; Alma, daughter, Aug 1890, 9, MO; James, son, Apr 1894, 6, MO; Cecil J, son, Aug 1899, 9/12, MO"
  • Granada, Prowers County, Colorado, US Federal Census 1910, hosted at Ancestry showing : "F M Hopper, 49, MO/KY/VA; Viola V, 40, MO/VA/MO; Alma 19 MO; James C 16 MO; Cecil 10 MO; Francis 6 MO; Otis Ray 1 CO"
  • World War I Draft Registration Cards showing : "James Clarence Hopper, age 23, resident of Ingalls, Kansas; born 10 Apr 1894, in Springfield, MO; Carpenter employed by R J Goddard at Ingalls; wife and child; medium height, slender, blue eyes, brown hair, no disabilities; dated at Ingalls, Gray County, Kansas; 5 Jun 1917"
  • Scott City, Kansas, US Federal Census 1920, hosted at Ancestry showing : "James C Hopper, age 24, born in Missouri; Bertie E, age 25, born in Kansas; Jay M, age 3 6/12; Clarence R, age 1 0/12"
  • Scott City, Kansas State Census Collection, 1925, hosted at Ancestry showing : "I C Hopper, 30, born in Missouri; Bertie Hopper, 31, born in Kansas; Jay Millard Hopper, 8, born in Kansas; Ray Hopper, 6, born in Kansas"
  • Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, US Federal Census 1930, hosted at Ancestry showing : "James C Hopper, 36; Bertie 36; J Millard Hopper 13; Ray C Hopper 11"
  • SSDI showing : "James Hopper, born 10 Apr 1894, died Jan 1979, last resided Lemon Grove, San Diego County, California, SSN Issued by Kansas"
 
 
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5 Bertie E Bell

Bertie E Bell was born in 1894/5 in Kansas.  She married by 1917 to James C Hopper, probably in Kansas where she was born and where they are yet living in the 1920 census.  They had two children: Jay Millard Hopper and Clarence Ray Hopper.

Primary Sources for 5

  • World War I Draft Registration Cards showing : "James Clarence Hopper, age 23, resident of Ingalls, Kansas; born 10 Apr 1894, in Springfield, MO; Carpenter employed by R J Goddard at Ingalls; wife and child; medium height, slender, blue eyes, brown hair, no disabilities; dated at Ingalls, Gray County, Kansas; 5 Jun 1917"
  • Scott City, Kansas, US Federal Census 1920, hosted at Ancestry showing : "James C Hopper, age 24, born in Missouri; Bertie E, age 25, born in Kansas; Jay M, age 3 6/12; Clarence R, age 1 0/12"
  • Scott City, Kansas State Census Collection, 1925, hosted at Ancestry showing : "I C Hopper, 30, born in Missouri; Bertie Hopper, 31, born in Kansas; Jay Millard Hopper, 8, born in Kansas; Ray Hopper, 6, born in Kansas"
  • Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, US Federal Census 1930, hosted at Ancestry showing : "James C Hopper, 36; Bertie 36; J Millard Hopper 13; Ray C Hopper 11"
 
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6 William Lonnie Davis

William Lonnie Davis was born in Kentucky in 1882/3.  He married Nellie Bly McInteer.  They were living in Ford County, Kansas in 1917 when their daughter Marjorie Mae Davis was born there that year.  The family apparently stayed in Ford County at least until 1932 probably later, as in Marjorie's obituary it is claimed that she married her "high school sweetheart".

Primary Sources for 6


 
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7 Nellie Bly McInteer

Nellie Bly McInteer was born in Kentucky 1885/1888.  She married William Lonnie Davis.  They were living in Ford County, Kansas in 1917 when their daughter Marjorie Mae Davis was born there that year.  The family apparently stayed in Ford County at least until 1932 probably later, as in Marjorie's obituary it is claimed that she married her "high school sweetheart".

Primary Sources for 7


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8 Francis M Hopper

Francis M Hopper was born Aug 1861 in Missouri of parents who had moved there from Kentucky.  He married Viola V Unknown in 1887/88 probably in Missouri.  They had six known children: Thomas, Alma, James, Cecil, Francis and Otis.

Primary Sources for 8

  • South, Dade County, Missouri, US Federal Census 1900, hosted at Ancestry showing : "Francis M Hopper, Aug 1861, 38, married 12 years ago, MO/KY/KY, Farmer, Owns Home; Viola V, wife, Jan 1870, 30, married 12 years ago, mother of 4, 4 living, MO/TN/NC; Thomas J, son, May 1887, 13, MO; Alma, daughter, Aug 1890, 9, MO; James, son, Apr 1894, 6, MO; Cecil J, son, Aug 1899, 9/12, MO"
  • Granada, Prowers County, Colorado, US Federal Census 1910, hosted at Ancestry showing : "F M Hopper, 49, MO/KY/VA; Viola V, 40, MO/VA/MO; Alma 19 MO; James C 16 MO; Cecil 10 MO; Francis 6 MO; Otis Ray 1 CO"

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9 Viola V

Primary Sources for 9

  • South, Dade County, Missouri, US Federal Census 1900, hosted at Ancestry showing : "Francis M Hopper, Aug 1861, 38, married 12 years ago, MO/KY/KY, Farmer, Owns Home; Viola V, wife, Jan 1870, 30, married 12 years ago, mother of 4, 4 living, MO/TN/NC; Thomas J, son, May 1887, 13, MO; Alma, daughter, Aug 1890, 9, MO; James, son, Apr 1894, 6, MO; Cecil J, son, Aug 1899, 9/12, MO"
  • Granada, Prowers County, Colorado, US Federal Census 1910, hosted at Ancestry showing : "F M Hopper, 49, MO/KY/VA; Viola V, 40, MO/VA/MO; Alma 19 MO; James C 16 MO; Cecil 10 MO; Francis 6 MO; Otis Ray 1 CO"

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