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Dennis Hopper dies at 74

Dennis Hopper, the maverick director and costar of the landmark 1969 counterculture film classic “Easy Rider” whose drug- and alcohol-fueled reputation as a Hollywood bad boy preceded his return to sobriety and a career resurgence in the films ” Hoosiers” and “Blue Velvet,” died Saturday. He was 74.

A longtime resident of Venice who also was known as a photographer, artist and collector of modern art, Hopper died at his home of complications from prostate cancer, said Alex Hitz, a friend of the family.

A frail-looking Hopper, whose battle with prostate cancer was revealed in October, was able to attend a ceremony for the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in late March.

In a more than five-decade acting career that was influenced early on by working with James Dean and studying at the Actors Studio, he made his film debut as one of the high school gang members who menace Dean in the 1955 classic “Rebel Without a Cause.”

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Los Angeles Times Does A Dennis Hopper Retouch

I was at work yesterday reading the Los Angeles Times. I came across their day late, dollar short article about Dennis Hopper getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of fame.

They displayed two pictures with this article entitled Ailing Dennis Hopper gets a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. One of the first things I noticed was that the photo’s that the times used were retouched. On the front page was the picture on the right.

As you can see, it shows an ailing Dennis Hopper, aged considerably and looking frail and weak. Next to Hopper is Jack Nicholson. Nicholson appears younger and more healthy. That’s because Nicholson was retouched to make him look younger and accentuate Hopper’s failing health.

Now look at this picture of Hopper with his daughter Galen. Its not hard to see that this picture is so photoshopped that hopper looks like he’s in the early thirties. Its absolutely ridiculous. I could see it plainly in the black and white photo’s that the Los Angeles Times used for the article. I was wondering if I was the only one to notice this, so I asked some of my co-workers if they could see any difference between the two photos.

My point in all of this is that this is a blatant manipulation of the news. Hopper is frail and weak. There is no disputing that. Why then would the Times choose to retouch these photos?

Howard Stern used to say that these photographers click off a hundred photos of celebrities, and if they like them they choose a flattering photo of that person, but if they are hated by the media like Stern is, they choose the worst picture of the batch.

For those that don’t believe me, look at the media photos used covering GW Bush and the ones used for Obama. With Obama, they use photos that portray Obama as a powerful leader. They used photos of Bush that made him look retarded and foolish.

I know this is just a small manipulation of the news, but its manipulation nonetheless. I like to point this out from time to time for the simpletons that think the media is a good source for the truth. JD

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Dennis Hopper Terminally Ill, to Receive Star on Walk of Fame

I love Dennis Hopper. I remember seeing him as a young man is a couple of “Bonanza” episodes, but his best role was in a small movie called “Easy Rider” with a young Jack Nicholson and Peter Fonda. Unfortunately, Mr. Hopper has prostate cancer and is only about 100 pounds now. He will be missed. dennis hopper dying of cancer

LOS ANGELES — Actor Dennis Hopper, who is said to be dying of cancer and too weak to participate in a deposition in his divorce case, is expected to make an appearance in Hollywood Friday to receive his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Hopper, who is battling prostate cancer, will receive the 2,403rd star along Hollywood Boulevard.

Hopper’s lawyer, Joseph Mannis, has said Hopper is terminally ill and too weak to be questioned by his wife’s divorce attorney.

A doctor approved the late-morning appearance, saying in court documents that it would likely be a positive experience.

The physician also wrote that Hopper, 73, weighs barely 100 pounds and is unable to carry on long conversations.

Actor Viggo Mortensen and film producer Mark Canton are scheduled to speak at the ceremony in front of the Egyptian Theatre.

Mortensen appeared with Hopper in the 1991 film “The Indian Runner,” and “Boiling Point” two years later. Canton produced the 2005 film “Land of The Dead,” in which Hopper appeared.

The ceremony also coincides with the seventh birthday of Hopper’s daughter, Galen.

Hopper and his wife, Victoria, have been locked in a bitter feud since the actor, director and artist filed to end the couple’s nearly 14-year marriage in January.

Both have agreed to stay 10 feet away from each other while the divorce is ongoing. Victoria has stated in court filings that Hopper filed for divorce to cut her out of her inheritance, a claim the actor has denied.

The case is scheduled for a court hearing on April 5.

Hopper began his film career in the classic 1955 tale of teenage rebellion, “Rebel Without a Cause,” developing a friendship with its star, James Dean. The two also appeared in “Giant.”

Hopper has appeared in more than 150 films including `Apocalypse Now,” “Blue Velvet” and “speed.”

Hopper received a best original screenplay Oscar nomination for co-writing the script of the 1969 counter-culture road movie “Easy Rider,” which he directed and starred in.

Hopper’s other Academy Award nomination came for best supporting actor for his role as an alcoholic father who becomes sober to be an assistant coach of his son’s high school basketball team in “Hoosiers.”

Since 2008, Hopper has portrayed record producer Ben Cedars on the Starz series “Crash,” continuing a television career that began with an 1955 appearance on the NBC medical drama “Medic.” His other television credits include “The Twilight Zone,” “The Rifleman,” “Naked City” and “24.”

Hopper is also an accomplished photographer and painter. His photography has been displayed at The State Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia, The Manege in Moscow, the Stedlejik Museum in Amsterdam and The MAK in Vienna.

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