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Dennis Hopper reportedly fighting hard battle against cancer

By April MacIntyre Jan 12, 2010, 19:26 GMT

Dennis Hopper, 73-year-old actor and artist is being treated through a \'special program\' at the University of Southern California medical center. EPA/CHRISTOPHE KARABA

Star of Starz channel original series "Crash" and numerous award winning roles in film, American actor Dennis Hopper is reported by THR's Roger Friedman to be fighting hard for his life, suffering from prostate cancer. 

The actor's illness was disclosed last year.

Friedman tips his hat to Mr. Hopper, 74, an American actor par excellence who came on the scene strong in the 1960s, and finally after years of working as an actor he made it big in the iconic film, "Easy Rider" with costar Peter Fonda.

Mr. Hopper, according to Friedman, "dropped out until he returned in a big way to the screen in 'Apocalypse Now' in 1978."

Again, Friedman notes that Mr. Hopper laid low until 1986, when the David Lynch film “Blue Velvet” was released.  That was a busy year in film for Mr. Hopper, as he appeared as "Shooter," the alcoholic father of a small town Indiana basketball star in the redemptive tale based on a true story, "Hoosiers." Mr. Hopper was nominated for an Oscar in this role.  That same year he also was cast as "Feck" in the film “River’s Edge.”

Friedman notes his personal life in detail and shares that Mr. Hopper was deserving of Academy recognition for Lynch's "Blue Velvet" as well.