Slash has paid tribute to Hollywood actor Dennis Hopper, who has died following a battle with prostate cancer.

Hopper, who starred in such films as Apocalypse Now and Easy Rider, passed away today (May 28) at his home in California. He was 74.

In a message on his Facebook and Twitter pages, Slash wrote: “You take the great ones for granted until they're gone. RIP Dennis Hopper.”

Hopper was diagnosed with the disease last year. He was last seen in public in March.

Hopper’s death comes just 24 hours after TV actor Gary Coleman died of a brain haemorrhage.

A host of music stars, including Janet Jackson and Katy Perry paid tribute to the Diff’rent Strokes star on Twitter.

(by Jason Gregory)