Known for his intense performances and boundary-pushing creativity, Dennis Hopper became an icon of counterculture cinema.
His son, Henry Hopper, though far more private and selective with his roles, has quietly continued his father’s artistic legacy, bringing his own introspective energy to film and performance art.
Dennis Hopper: Hollywood’s Wild Maverick
Born May 17, 1936, Dennis Hopper began his acting career in the 1950s, appearing alongside James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause and Giant. But it was in the late 1960s that he truly made his mark.
Easy Rider (1969), which he co-wrote, directed, and starred in, became a cultural milestone. The film’s success turned Hopper into both a symbol of 1960s counterculture and a renegade voice in Hollywood.
Known for his rebellious spirit, substance-fueled struggles, and artistic risk-taking, Hopper’s career was as chaotic as it was brilliant. He delivered unforgettable performances in films like Apocalypse Now, Blue Velvet, and Hoosiers, and later reinvented himself as a scene-stealing character actor in movies like Speed and True Romance.
Outside of acting, Hopper was also a respected photographer and painter — an artist in every sense of the word. His work often reflected the same raw emotion and rebellious curiosity that defined his film roles.
Henry Hopper: A Quiet Echo of Talent
Born in 1990 to Dennis Hopper and actress Katherine LaNasa, Henry Hopper grew up surrounded by creativity.
But unlike his father, Henry chose to remain largely outside the glare of Hollywood. He made his acting debut in the 2011 Gus Van Sant film Restless, playing the lead role of Enoch — a morbidly romantic young man who falls in love with a terminally ill girl.
The film was poetic and understated, and so was Henry’s performance. Though the film flew under the mainstream radar, critics praised Henry’s quiet depth and unusual screen presence.
It was a far cry from the chaotic energy of Dennis Hopper, yet you could see a trace of the same introspective intensity — the kind that doesn’t need to shout to be felt.
Since then, Henry Hopper has stayed mostly out of the spotlight, appearing in select independent projects and reportedly focusing more on visual art and experimental short films than mainstream acting. His career choices seem less about fame and more about exploration — much like his father, but in a softer, more reserved way.
A Legacy Beyond the Lens
Dennis Hopper passed away in 2010, shortly before Henry’s breakout role in Restless was released. Though the two only had limited overlap as active artists, Dennis’s creative DNA lives on in his son.
