I cannot think of a more iconic actor in our time than Dennis Hopper for a number of reasons. His unique gravelly accent seemed like he had just been on a drinking and smoking binge for 48 hours. For a portion of his life that actually was likely true. In honor of his recent passing from prostate cancer I have decided to put together a list of my favorite Dennis Hopper roles.
10. As “Lieutenant ‘Lefty’ Enright” in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2
Yeah not the best Hopper role, hence the fact it is on the bottom of this list. I always remember seeing the front cover of the VHS tape of this film with Hopper wielding a chainsaw and wearing a cowboy hat. Pretty cool!
9. As “Photojournalist” in Apocalypse Now
As in some of Dennis’s greatest roles I often wonder if this character is just an extension of himself. Whatever it is, I think it is a classic example of awesomeness.
8. As “Moon” from True Grit
Dennis Hopper was awesome as a supporting actor to John Wayne and Robert Duvall. This is an iconic role for Hopper in a classic western.
7. As “Deacon” in Waterworld
While Waterworld was not the blockbuster everyone had hoped for, Dennis Hopper seems to fit in quite well in the role of Deacon.
6. As “Feck” in River’s Edge
River’s Edge is one interesting film and thats for two reasons in my opinion, Crispin Glover’s odd character Layne and Dennis Hopper’s minor role as Feck. Imagine a John Hughes 80′s classic now tip it upside down and shake and you will have River’s Edge
5. As “Frank Booth” in Blue Velvet
David Lynch has a way of taking the audience one a ride into a world of depravity and weird characters. One of his most interested characters was Frank Booth and Dennis Hopper played the part wonderfully. I do not think that this role could have been done better by anyone.
4. As “Howard Payne” in Speed
Dennis Hopper is not the typical person you would expect to be in an explosively charged action film but it works in Speed. What I liked about his character is that he was one-step ahead of everyone and his line delivery was straightforward and very chilling as a result.
3. As “Billy” in Easy Rider
Easy Rider maybe should be at the top of my list but it is not my personal favorite of Hopper’s roles. Yes it is a truly classic film and does a fabulous job of capturing the period. I love the simplicity of this film but yet it holds some very powerful messages. I think this is one of the best, if not the best road movie and it may make it to another list of great road movies but I do not believe this is Hopper’s best performance. His role as Captain America’s sidekick is great but not my favorite, enough said.
2. As “Shooter” in Hoosiers
This is my favorite sports related film and remember seeing this as a kid with my father. I love Dennis Hopper in this role as Shooter. The character is on a journey of redemption from a life of alcoholism. This character is much like Hopper’s real life because this role was his redemption in the eyes of Hollywood after years of drug addled binges and bad behavior.
1. A “Clifford Worley” in True Romance
I know that this role is only a minor supporting character. As Clifford Worley, Hoppper shares the screen with another icon, Christopher Walken. This scene is so powerful to me and has some of the best dialogue thanks to Quentin Tarantino. The fact that Hopper’s character spit in the fact of death is enough to make get the blood boiling. I love the feeling I have of this scene and think his role is worthy of number one on my list.
He was one of the most prolific and great characters actors of many, many generations. He’d play a straight role and play something as funny King Koopa. I always had a soft spot for him, will always remember him in the fondest of ways.
My favorite role of him is definitely his in Blue Velvet. RIP Dennis Hopper.
Nice list. Frank Booth for me remains the man’s greatest creation. Truly one of the most evil screen villains ever put on the big screen. A great talent in front of and behind the camera. Glad to see this up so quick. Doing my own video homage to him for Magic Lantern which should be up later on. I loved his role a couple of years ago in “Elegy” too because he didn’t play weird or bizarre or anything that he was being typecast as for a long while. “Paris Trout” was also terrific stuff. A true Actor’s Studio talent who will definitely be missed….
What the what? I’ve only seen two of these. I better get on Netflix.
No “Red Rock West”?
Oooo….good one. Completely forgot about that one! Well done.
Is it me or is there a severe lack of Basquiat on this list?
Such a strange but smooth flick.
The first indie film I ever pledged devotion to
Great write-up! Personally, my favorite is Easy Rider, but that’s because of the influence it had on the rest of cinema.
But I always enjoyed watching him. He even managed to be almost..ALMOST…watchable in Super Mario Bros.
I haven’t seen it since I was just a young kiddo, and back in the theatre no less. Perhaps a revisit with adults and booze would be fun.
Yes, Easy Rider is amazing. I have to admit I’ve never seen Red Rock West or Basquiat.
I’m going to miss him so much! Mostly cause he mostly known for playing the biggest bad-asses in films, and although the movie kind of sucked, I think Super Mario Bros. should have been on here. Hha jk, but anyway great list to a legend that will surely be missed.
River’s Edge is such a weird and off movie, but I couldn’t help watching it whenever it played on IFC last year. It may be one of the few good Keanu Reeves roles and Hopper, as you mentioned, was excellent.
I loved him in Apocalypse Now. Rest in Peace.
hey guys,
I’m going to do a little Dennis Hopper blog-a-thon base on this list. I encourage anyone with a link to one of these movies to get it to me and I’ll link from the post page
http://www.floatingredcouch.com/2010/06/honorary-hopp-along.html
Dennis Hopper will always be remembered for his great acting. It’s truly sad and a great loss. Not just for the movie industry but in general as he was a man of integrity. His most rememorable movie for me is Blue velvet.
Regards,
Jennifer
angry smiley
Blue Velvet was definitely the most memorable and unique. He doesn’t get enough credit for his influence on the American New Wave back in the early 1970s. Very talented actor.
Nice inclusion of Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2.
Kai B. Parker recently posted..THE HAPPY 101 AWARD