Cheshire Cat Photo Blog(...said the Cat: 'we're all mad here....')

Dennis Hopper is the only Hollywood star to whom I have ever spoken in person.

Dennis Hopper’s lawyer and doctor told the judge who is overseeing his divorce that Hopper is dying of prostate cancer, but the 73-year-old Hopper smiled as his star was dedicated on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

Jack Nicholson, who starred with Hopper in “Easy Rider,” stood behind him as Hollywood star number 2,403 was revealed with Hopper’s name in front of the Egyptian Theater. Other stars on hand included director David Lynch and singers Johnny Mathis, and Dwight Yoakam.

Hopper’s 6-year-old daughter, Galen, stood by his side as he waved and bowed to crowds. Hopper weighs barely 100 pounds, according to a court document filed by his doctor, but Hopper walked on his own during the 45-minute ceremony. Hopper’s doctor, Dr. David Argus stated that, “The less Mr Hopper has to do with his estranged wife at this time, the more likely he is to have his life estended,” in his divorce hearing in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Hopper said the Starz cable network paid for his Hollywood star ceremony, which cost $25,000. His last acting job was on “Crash,” the TV series based on the Oscar-winning movie of the same name. Hopper’s acting career has spanned almost six decades. In the 1950s he had roles in several TV shows and films, including “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955) and “Giant” (1956). He became a Hollywood sensation for “Easy Rider.” Hopper was twice nominated for Oscars. According to Wikipedia:

“He was unable to build on his success for several years, until a featured role in Apocalypse Now (1979) brought him attention. He subsequently appeared in Rumble Fish (1983), and received critical recognition for his work in Blue Velvet and Hoosiers, with the latter film garnering him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He directed Colors (1988), and portrayed King Koopa in the film version of Super Mario Bros. (1993) and the villain in Speed (1994). Hopper’s more recent work includes a leading role in the television series Crash.”

Hopper is undergoing radical chemotherapy for advanced, metastasized prostate cancer, according to his doctor. According to CNN:

“An affidavit from his accountant said the cost of his cancer treatments exceed his income, which is $58,000 in annual residual payments from his TV and movie roles. His last acting job was last year when he completed the television series “Crash.”

I saw Hopper, with his family, on a Southwest flight from Albuquerque, NM to Los Angeles, CA, while I was traveling on business. I was seated next to a young man (in a “Daffy Duck” T-shirt ) who owned a HUGE bottled water business in the Santa Fe – Albuquerque – El Paso area. Hopper was seated in a backward-facing jumpseat of the plane, and wore a very wide “Thunderbird” bolo tie. At the end of the flight, Hopper came back to an overhead compartment over the seats in front of me, to retrieve his luggage. Both the young man with the water business and I told Hopper how much we enjoyed his films.

-Bill at

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