Dennis Hopper (1936-2010) was an American actor and director, an iconic and rebellious figure in cinema. He began his career alongside James Dean in *Rebel Without a Cause* and *Giant*.

His most celebrated directorial work is *Easy Rider* (1969), a counter-culture manifesto film which he co-wrote and starred in, earning him an Academy Award nomination for the screenplay.

As an actor, Hopper distinguished himself with intense and often unstable roles. Among his most memorable performances are the maniacal photographer in *Apocalypse Now* (1979) and the unforgettable, terrifying Frank Booth in David Lynch's *Blue Velvet* (1986). He also received an Academy Award nomination for *Hoosiers* (1986). Hopper was able to embody complex characters with charisma and unpredictability: rebels, outsiders, and unsettling antagonists.