**Dennis Hopper (1936-2010)** was an American actor, director, and artist whose career spanned six decades, characterized by an unconventional approach and often intense and complex roles.

He began his career with youthful roles alongside James Dean in films like *Rebel Without a Cause* (1955) and *Giant* (1956), forging his image as a rebel. He reached his peak with *Easy Rider* (1969), which he co-wrote, directed, and starred in, becoming a symbol of the counterculture and a generational icon.

After a turbulent period, Hopper experienced a resurgence in the 1980s, shining in memorable roles. Particularly renowned is his performance as the terrifying Frank Booth in David Lynch's *Blue Velvet* (1986), which redefined his image as a cinematic "villain." He received an Academy Award nomination for *Hoosiers* (1986) and played key roles in films such as *Apocalypse Now* (1979) and *Speed* (1994).

His style was characterized by unpredictability and psychological depth, making him a unique interpreter of characters on the fringes or endowed with a charismatic madness.