Hopper in hospital

Dennis Hopper has been hospitalised with flu-like symptoms.

The ‘Easy Rider’ actor was taken to a New York medical centre by ambulance yesterday after he began complaining of stomach problems.

The 73-year-old star was wheeled into the hospital wearing a gas mask.

His representative Sheila Feren has confirmed he was taken to hospital after becoming unwell.

Dennis was in New York to promote his new TV show ‘Crash’, which is a new version of the 2004 Oscar-winning movie about racial and social tensions in Los Angeles in which he plays music producer Ben Cendars.

Due to his illness, the actor has been forced to cancel a number of interviews and appearances on TV.

Dennis is known for his prolific film career, having starred in almost 200 movies including ‘Apocalypse Now’, ‘Blue Velvet’ and ‘Rebel Without A Cause’.

His portrayal of basketball fan Shooter in 1986’s ‘Shooter’ – about a high school basketball team which wins the state championship – gained him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.