Dennis Hopper photographed by Douglas Kirkland.

Dennis Lee Hopper (May 17, 1936 – May 29, 2010) was an American actor, filmmaker and artist. As a young man, Hopper became interested in acting and eventually became a student of the Actors’ Studio. He made his first television appearance in 1954 and appeared in two films featuring James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause (1955) and Giant (1956). During the next 10 years, Hopper appeared frequently on television in guest roles, and by the end of the 1960s had played supporting roles in several films.

He directed and starred in Easy Rider (1969), winning an award at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay as co-writer. “With its portrait of counterculture heroes raising their middle fingers to the uptight middle-class hypocrisies, Easy Rider became the cinematic symbol of the 1960s, a celluloid anthem to freedom, macho bravado and anti-establishment rebellion.”  Film critic Matthew Hays notes that “no other persona better signifies the lost idealism of the 1960s than that of Dennis Hopper.”

He was unable to build on his success for several years, until a featured role in Apocalypse Now (1979) brought him attention. He subsequently appeared in Rumble Fish (1983) and The Osterman Weekend (1983), and received critical recognition for his work in Blue Velvet and Hoosiers, with the latter film garnering him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He directed Colors (1988) and played the villain in Speed (1994). He played another villain, King Koopa, in Super Mario Bros. (1993). Hopper’s later work included a leading role in the television series Crash. Hopper’s last performance was filmed just before his death: The Last Film Festival, slated for a 2011 release. Hopper was also a prolific and acclaimed photographer, a profession he began in the 1960s.

**Picture shown is available in limited edition print  signed and numbered by Douglas Kirkland and is available to purchase here.

Marilyn Monroe photographed by Douglas Kirkland

Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson but baptized and raised as Norma Jeane Baker; June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962) was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s.

After spending much of her childhood in foster homes, Monroe began a career as a model, which led to a film contract in 1946. Her early film appearances were minor, but her performances in The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve (both 1950) drew attention to her—by now her hair was dyed blonde. By 1953, Monroe had progressed to a leading role in Niagara (1953), a melodramatic film noir that dwelled on her seductiveness. Her “dumb blonde” persona was used to comic effect in subsequent films as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) and The Seven Year Itch (1955). Limited by typecasting, Monroe studied at the Actors Studio to broaden her range. Her dramatic performance in Bus Stop (1956) was hailed by critics, and she received a Golden Globe nomination. Her production company, Marilyn Monroe Productions, released The Prince and the Showgirl (1957), for which she received a BAFTA Award nomination and won a David di Donatello award. She received a Golden Globe Award for her performance in Some Like It Hot (1959). Monroe’s final completed film was The Misfits, co-starring Clark Gable with the screenplay written by her then-husband, Arthur Miller.

The final years of Monroe’s life were marked by illness, personal problems, and a reputation for being unreliable and difficult to work with. The circumstances of her death, from an overdose of barbiturates, have been the subject of conjecture. Though officially classified as a “probable suicide”, the possibility of an accidental overdose, as well as the possibility of homicide, have not been ruled out. In 1999, Monroe was ranked as the sixth greatest female star of all time by the American Film Institute. In the years and decades following her death, Monroe has often been cited as both a pop and a cultural icon as well as the quintessential American female sex symbol.

**Picture shown is available in limited edition print in different sizes, signed and numbered by Douglas Kirkland and is available to purchase here.

Works including Urban Art by Rich Simmons and iconic celebrity photographs by the legendary Terry O’Neill shall feature at Audi Watford’s launch of the new Q3 Thursday 28th July 5pm onwards.

For more information contact Richard Evans: richardevans@legendecelebrityart.com 020 3375 8207

BUY NOW LEGENDE URBAN ART

BUY NOW TERRY O’NEILL ICONIC PHOTOGRAPHS

Marc Cox Northern Sales Director of Legende Celebrity Art holding a signed tribute to Muhammed Ali successfully bid by footballer Moreton Gamst Pedersen (top photograph)
Richard Evans, Founder of Legende Celebrity Art and Celebrity Hairdresser Nicky Clarke at the official opening of Nicky Clarke Manchester Thursday 31st March 2011 (bottom photograph)

BUY NOW LEGENDE CELEBRITY ART

Photographs by Jason Lock

If you are serious about art and wish to support Demelza the children’s hospice please contact nia@niapr.com to RSVP

Pommery the French Champagne house located in Reim has kindly struck a deal to donate champagne to the fundraising auction event Tuesday 1st February 2011 in aid of UCLH at Whisky Mist organized by Legende Celebrity Art.

Founded in 1858 by Alexander Louis Pommery and Narcisse Greno and is owned by the Vranken company who also own Heidsieck & Co Monopole and Demoiselle as part of their portfolio.

RSVP to nia@niapr.com

BUY NOW LEGENDE CELEBRITY ART

95% of the works are collectors art pieces by photographers Terry O’Neill, Douglas Kirkland, Gered Mankowitz, Danny Clifford and painters Barry Novis, Laura Lian, Rich Simmons and Lindsey Bex many of which are limited edition works.

15 celebrities have confirmed attendance already and more are likely to join this exclusive event in aid of charity.

Richard Evans said “Whisky Mist have been incredibly supportive in helping us put our first event of the year together in aid of good causes. We have 20 more events this year all over the UK from London, Manchester, Leeds and looking further a field to host our first event in Dublin and Germany. Our events provide a unique opportunity to view art in fantastic surroundings some of which has never been seen before”

Rod Stewart by Lindsey Bex

Jimi Hendrix by Gered Mankowitz

To RSVP to this event please email to nia@niapr.com - Nia Thomas PR (please note spaces are limited)

50% of monies raised over the reserve price of each item shall be donated to the new cancer department at University College London Hospitals Charitable Foundation Registered Charity Number 1077638.

Legende Celebrity Art in collaboration with our friends at Art of Giving are exhibiting at 46 – 48 Shepherd Market London W1J 7QS  from this weekend for one month. Private previews will feature including donations to charity throughout the Christmas period. Works by Douglas Kirkland, Danny Clifford, Rich Simmons will be included.

For further information contact Richard Evans direct on 07590 850876 or email him at richardevans@legendecelebrityart.com

BUY NOW LEGENDE CELEBRITY ART

Douglas Kirkland took this iconic photograph of the multi-talented actor/director Dennis Hopper in 1970. Born in Dodge City, Kansas in 1936 Hopper has a career spanning over 5 decades. He is also a skilled photographer and painter displaying works all over the world.

Read this current news piece featuring sad news about Dennis Hopper

BUY THIS AMAZING PHOTOGRAPH OF DENNIS HOPPER

GALLERY ROUGE, ST ALBANS, HERTFORDSHIRE

In conjunction with Legende Celebrity Art, ‘St Albans leading Art Gallery’ GALLERY ROUGE will have on display in the next few days a stunning collection of celebrity photographs by Canadian born Douglas Kirkland, including Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot. Also available 3 photographic silver gelatin prints by Terry O’Neill of The Beatles, Elton John and Raquel Welch.

Gallery Rouge, 27 Chequer Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire  AL1 3YJ

For more information contact Richard Evans on 01494 259131 or email him at richardevans@legendecelebrityart.com

BUY NOW DOUGLAS KIRKLAND ICONIC PHOTOGRAPHS

Douglas Kirkland photographed by Brian Mercer