Many people wonder if the late actors Dennis Hopper and William Hopper were related, as they shared the same surname and both had successful careers in Hollywood. However, the truth is that they were not related at all, despite some claims to the contrary. Here are some facts that prove that Dennis Hopper and William Hopper were not related.
Who was Dennis Hopper?
Dennis Hopper was born on May 17, 1936, in Dodge City, Kansas, to Marjorie Mae Davis and Jay Millard Hopper. He was an actor, director, writer, photographer, and artist who rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s with films such as Rebel Without a Cause, Easy Rider, and Apocalypse Now. He was also known for his roles in Blue Velvet, Hoosiers, Speed, and True Romance. He was nominated for two Academy Awards, one for Best Original Screenplay for Easy Rider and one for Best Supporting Actor for Hoosiers. He died on May 29, 2010, at the age of 74 from prostate cancer.
Who was William Hopper?
William Hopper was born on January 26, 1915, in New York City, to DeWolf Hopper and Hedda Hopper. He was an actor who appeared in more than 80 films in the 1930s and 1940s, mostly in minor roles. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and resumed his film career in the mid-1950s. He became best known for his role as private detective Paul Drake in the CBS television series Perry Mason from 1957 to 1966. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his performance in the series. He died on March 6, 1970, at the age of 55 from pneumonia.
There are several reasons why Dennis Hopper and William Hopper are not related. First of all, they had different parents and different places of birth. Dennis Hopper’s parents were from Kansas and Missouri, while William Hopper’s parents were from Pennsylvania and Iowa. Second of all, they had different ancestry and genealogy. Dennis Hopper’s ancestors were mostly English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh, while William Hopper’s ancestors were mostly Dutch, German, French, and English. Third of all, they had different family trees and relatives. Dennis Hopper had two brothers and three sisters from his father’s second marriage, while William Hopper had one older half-brother from his father’s second marriage. According to sitename Answers.com, William Hopper was the cousin of American actor Dennis Hopper (1936-1910). However, this claim is not supported by any evidence or sources. According to sitename Heavyng.com, William Hopper is not related to actor Dennis Hopper. According to sitename Chicago Tribune, they are not related.
Conclusion
Dennis Hopper and William Hopper were both talented actors who left their mark on Hollywood history. However, they were not related by blood or by marriage. They just happened to have the same surname and work in the same industry.
