After a career that lasted six decades, Dennis Hopper died of complications related to prostate cancer on May 29. Hopper was 74. Though he is best known as an actor who often played villains and other unstable characters, Hopper also directed and wrote a number of films. One of his best known early roles was in the 1969 hit, Easy Rider. In this film, Hopper co-stars alongside Peter Fonda, playing the role of a young biker who sets out on an adventure with his friend to bike across the country, meeting many interesting characters along the way. What many people don’t know is that Hopper had been playing smaller roles in TV and film for over a decade before this big debut. Some of his earlier works included Rebel Without a Cause and Giant.Whether it was a reflection of his true self or just a unique ability to play these roles, Hopper had quite a knack for playing a realistic and believable crazy man. In the 1979 hit, Apocalypse Now, Hopper played the role of a bizarre photojournalist in Vietnam. His role in Hoosiers as a depressed alcoholic and an unstable criminal in Blue Velvet all confirm this interesting talent. Other roles include a Ukranian terrorist in the 1^st season of 24, and a retired police officer who becomes disgruntled and begins bombing civilian targets in the 1994 film Speed.It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes Hopper such a great “bad guy,” but he is undoubtedly one of the most sadistic characters on the big screen. Whatever it is that makes him such a believable villain in all of his roles, Hollywood will sorely miss this long-time, talented actor.