Doctor: Dennis Hopper Is "Terminally Ill," Deposition Could Be Deadly

Being deposed by estranged wife's attorneys "could actually threaten his ability to survive his current health crisis," his oncologist says

It's not looking good for Dennis Hopper.

In what amounted to a very sad testament to Hopper's condition after months of battling prostate cancer, the actor's camp is arguing that he is "terminally ill" and in no condition to be deposed by his estranged wife's legal camp as she continues to fight the terms of their prenup.

"It is doubtful that Mr. Hopper will ever recover sufficiently to be subject to a deposition," oncologist David B. Agus stated in a declaration attached to the filing. Hopper barely weighs 100 pounds and cannot speak for long periods of time; therefore, a lengthy deposition "could actually threaten his ability to survive his current health crisis."

The prenuptial agreement signed by Hopper and wife Victoria Duffy was supposed to prevent this sort of thing, his camp says, and the Blue Velvet star has already spent $160,000 in legal fees to ward off Victoria's objections.

Hopper, 72, will be attending his induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 26, the filing said, but he will be in a wheelchair and require assistance.

"A deposition is nothing like a short ceremony to praise his career," Agus stated.

The veteran actor-filmmaker-photographer has a restraining order in place against Victoria, barring her from coming within 10 feet of him or his three children from previous relationships. They have a 6-year-old daughter together, whom Hopper is allowed to visit with for two hours a day.

The 140-page filing also details Hopper's numerous personal effects, including thousands of dollars' worth of artwork, including an oil painting and a collage by Viggo Mortensen.