To the cheers of fans and family, a smiling Dennis Hopper received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame yesterday.

Hopper thanked them for giving him a thrilling career. "You gave me a life I would never have seen as a boy from Dodge City, Kansas," he said.

The 73-year-old actor and filmmaker, who is battling prostate cancer, was helped to the stage by a friend. Hopper explained that bandages on his right arm and forehead were the result of a fall Thurs-day outside his home.

Jack Nicholson, Viggo Mortensen, David Lynch and Dwight Yoakam were among the luminaries on hand to honor Hopper, a two-time Oscar nominee who has appeared in more than 100 films.

JACK BAUER LEAVING TV FOR BIG SCREEN

The drama "24" won't be ticking much longer on TV.

Fox announced yesterday that its action-packed real-time show starring Kiefer Sutherland as counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer will wind down at the end of its current eighth season on May 24.

Sutherland said in a statement that the show's cast and crew "always wanted '24' to finish on a high note, so the decision to make the eighth season our last was one we all agreed upon." He also said he is looking forward to doing planned film versions of "24."

The show won an Emmy for outstanding drama series and Sutherland got the 2006 drama actor trophy for his role as Bauer.

JACKSON STASHED SKIN-WHITENING CREAMS

Detectives found large quantities of general anesthetic and dozens of tubes of skin-whitening creams in Michael Jackson's home after the singer's death, search warrants unsealed yesterday show.

Investigators went to Jackson's rented mansion June 29 following a lengthy interview with his personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, who told them he had placed a medical bag in a cupboard in a closet.

Jackson's June 25 death at age 50 was ruled a homicide caused by an overdose of propofol and other sedatives. Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

In their search, detectives found 19 tubes of hydroquinone and 18 tubes of Benoquin, both commonly used in the treatment of a skin condition called vitiligo that Jackson had revealed he had.

CANNES USHERS IN ROBIN'S MERRY MEN

After making animation — and the people who create it — the stars of the red carpet last year with "Up," the Cannes Film Festival is going with a more traditional opening night this year.

The festival announced yesterday that "Robin Hood," Ridley Scott's take on the folklore hero, will open the annual extravaganza on the Croisette. Russell Crowe stars as the iconic rebel, firing arrows, tangling with the sheriff of Nottingham and generally making mischief.