I Woke Up Thinking About Dennis Hopper
Dennis Hopper got to know James Dean on the set of Rebel Without A Cause. It began a short but rich relationship between the two, with Dean, in fact, more in the mentor role. It’s weird to think about the relationship that way, as James Dean will forever remain the frozen picture of youth and Dennis Hopper the quintessentially grizzled opposite. But in 1955, James Dean was 24 and Hopper only 18, just starting out. To Hopper, Dean was a whole chapter of talent ahead of him. And incredible at that.
I’ve always related to Dennis Hopper. The subversive. A guy who had a bit of an issue with authority and wasn’t afraid to burn bridges at any level. I can see what he saw in Dean — an overwhelming natural talent. I’ve been drawn to that in my life, too. But inviting extreme talent into your life can also drive you a little crazy. Most people choose to be number one, if they can. When you hang out with Jack Nicholson, Natalie Wood, Steve McQueen, Paul Newman and the Fondas, I imagine you never feel entirely grown-up. And also always slightly at the edge.
Hopper was also completely and utterly dedicated to the creative life. A love of painting, acting, poetry and photography. It was his entire goal to make a life for himself that wasn’t corporate and that allowed him a certain freedom, on the edge, outside…
