Rue McClanahan Dies at 76

Whenever we lose an icon it’s a sad day, but when that legend in question was one of the most beloved TV stars it’s even harder to swallow. It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of one of our beloved “Golden Girls” Rue McClanahan, most famous for playing Blanche Deveraux.

Per People:

“She passed away at 1 a.m. this morning,” her manager, Barbara Lawrence, tells PEOPLE. She had a massive stroke.”

McClanahan, who at seventy-six years old was one of two surviving Golden Girls actresses along with Betty White (Bea Arthur died last year and Estelle Getty died in 2008) suffered a minor stroke earlier this year while recovering from bypass surgery. PEOPLE also reports that her family was by her side when she passed this morning and “went in peace.”

Per Hollywood Life:

“Rue was a close and dear friend. I treasured our relationship. It hurts more then I ever thought it would, if that’s possible,” says Betty White.

Rue McClanahan, Dennis Hopper, & Gary Coleman. Really, 3 seats to one of the best poker tables ever. Our condolences and deepest sympathy to her family and friends during this incredibly sad time. As always, thank you for being a friend Rue.

Dennis Hopper Near Death

Dennis Hopper’s divorce attorney says in a court filing that the actor is dying and can’t undergo chemotherapy as he battles prostate cancer, leaving him too weak to testify in his own contentious divorce from wife Victoria Duffy-Hopper.

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Per PopEater:

His attorney, Joseph Mannis, states in the filing — obtained by TMZ — that because Hopper is so terminally ill, he is unable to defend himself in divorce proceedings. “It is doubtful that Mr. Hopper will ever recover sufficiently to be subject to a deposition,” one of the actor’s doctors declared.

Hopper, who is battling advanced prostate cancer, has been conducting his bitter divorce from his sickbed. According to Dr. David Agus, Hopper is in grave state and weighs less than 100 pounds, stating that he believes being questioned by his wife’s lawyers “could actually threaten his ability to survive the current health crisis.” Hopper’s assistant Emily Davis stated that he was “extremely weak” and unable to talk for more than a few minutes at a time because “he’s not able to concentrate and tires quickly.” In previous court documents, Hopper had said he hoped chemotherapy would be successful and that he could recover.

Last month, a judge ruled that Duffy-Hopper must stay at least 10ft away from her husband after the actor said he wanted to eliminate unnecessary stress. In previous papers filed Hopper claimed his wife had engaged in “outrageous conduct” over the past year. He alleges she has been difficult over visitation rights for their six year old daughter Galen. Hopper also believes his estranged wife stole valuable artwork and other property, including silver flatware, Egyptian cotton linens, Venetian glass pieces and wood furniture from Africa, with a total worth of more than $1.5 million. Duffy-Hopper claims that he threatened her, smoked marijuana around their daughter, and that his illness had left him unable to make sound decisions. She has also claimed that he filed for divorce so that he could cut her out of her inheritance. Also in the documents, Hopper objected to changing the provisions of his $1 million life insurance policy as requested by Duffy-Hopper. Currently, she will receive $250,000 and the balance will go to his estate, which Hopper said he has already set up to for their daughter and his three other adult children to receive a “substantial portion.”

Hopper is known for his classic roles in movies including “True Grit,” “Rebel Without a Cause,” and “Waterworld.” It was recently announced that Hopper will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this Friday.

Dennis Hopper’s Divorce Turns Uglier: Restraining Order Issued

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A few weeks ago, we reported that actor Dennis Hopper filed for divorce from his wife of 13 years, Victoria (refresh your memory by clicking here).

Victoria then came out with accusations of Hopper’s drug-use and abuse.

Now, Hopper has been issued a restraining order from Victoria stating that Victoria must keep her distance not only from him, but others as well.

Via TMZ:

“The judge also ruled Victoria may not enter the main Dennis Hopper residence in Venice, CA or any other portion of the property other than the unit where Victoria is currently living. The judge ruled Victoria can stay in the unit until the agreed date in the prenup.”

As for the prenup, TMZ is reporting that Hopper gets everything should the couple split.

“Dennis keeps all his property — which includes a house and a condo in Venice, a building in New Mexico on 320 acres, land in Arizona and a number of other properties…And here’s the kicker: Victoria was guaranteed a $250,000 life insurance policy and 25% of everything in his will … but only if they’re married and living together at the time of his death.”

Victoria claims that Hopper is being forced to divorce her in order to keep his estate out of her hands upon his death.

Via D-Listed:

“According to Victoria, Dennis doesn’t want to divorce her. Victoria believes that his 47-year-old gold digging daughter is making Dennis go through with the divorce, so she can get a bigger cut of his fortune when he dies.”

Hopper was diagnosed with prostate cancer a few short months ago and is rumored to be on his ‘death bed.’

Dennis Hopper Threatened and Abused Wife

Dennis Hopper, currently on his death bed, stunned everyone recently by filing for divorce from his wife of 13 years, Victoria.

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Now, Victoria is firing back, claiming the seasoned actor was not only abusive to her, but also kept loaded guns in their home-unsecure and within reach of the couple’s 6 year-old daughter, Galen.

In recently released divorce documents (read those here and here), Victoria details the verbal abuse she received and touches on Hopper’s alleged addition to drugs.

Via The Daily Beast:

“I discovered a pistol with multiple rounds of ammunition in Petitioner’s [Hopper's] bedroom drawer. The gun and ammunition was unsecure and easily accessible, including to Galen. I also located a loaded shotgun, unsecure, in our bedroom closet. I told Petitioner to remove the guns from our home. Petitioner agreed. I immediately moved the guns to a secure temporary location and later had them removed by a police officer.”

This followed another incident in which she claims Hopper told her that if she divorced him, “Something bad is going to happen to you and you won’t see it coming.”

Victoria also alleges that Dennis doesn’t really wish to end their marriage, that rather he is being persuaded to do so by other family members and his lawyers as a last ditch effort to get his estate in order before he dies.

Along with her scathing allegations, Victoria also lists her expenses, including $450 needed per month for “walking around” money for such items like coffee.

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Images Via: WENN.com

Dennis Hopper on Death’s Doorstep?!?

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Let us hope that this is just dribble at the hands of the National Enquirer. The rag has claimed that Dennis Hopper has given up in his fight against cancer and is telling friends that he is “ready to die.”

“Dennis has come to grips with the fact that the end is likely near. He knew going into the last weeks of filming Crash that he was on borrowed time. His doctors had told him they were no longer able to contain the disease, and his condition had severely worsened.”

Hopper has been battling prostate cancer. He was reportedly diagnosed in September of 2009. The word is that it has spread to his bones and the experimental treatment he tried is not working.

I have my fingers crossed that all of this is entirely false. Best wishes for Dennis and his family.

Dennis Hopper Battling Prostate Cancer

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Famed actor Dennis Hopper has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Hopper released a statement via his manager that he will be taking time off from work and travel to seek treatment for his condition.

Via Popeater:

“Hopper has been a mainstay in Hollywood for five decades, including an Oscar nomination for co-writing 1969′s counterculture classic ‘Easy Rider.’ He also was nominated for an acting Oscar in 1986 for ‘Hoosiers,’ and had roles in films like ‘Apocalypse Now,’ ‘Blue Velvet,’ ‘True Romance’ and ‘Speed.’

Hopper was briefly hospitalized back in September for flu-like symptoms. He was treated for dehydration and released the following day. He can currently be seen on the Starz Channel program, “Crash.”We wish him a hopeful and speedy recovery.

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Images Via: WENN.com/FayesVision