The manuscript series of the Hedda Hopper papers span the years 1901-1966 (bulk late 1940s to mid-1960s) and encompass 39 linear feet. The collection consists of Hopper's personal files related almost exclusively to her work as a columnist and to her social life. The production files include extensive correspondence on the making of THE RIVER (1951) and an unproduced film on the life of Buddha entitled THE WAYFARER: THE LIFE STORY OF BUDDHA which was to be directed by David Lean and star Yul Brynner. The televison files primarily consist of material relating to Hopper's guest appearances on shows, but also include script material and correspondence regarding an unproduced show entitled BEST IN HOLLYWOOD. The radio files contain an assortment of scripts, correspondence, and clippings.

The subject files include correspondence with magazines and newspapers; daily columns from January 1962 to December 1966; typescripts of special stories; and other documentation of Hopper's activities, travels, and attendance at various events. Of special interest is a letter from Hopper to George Gable stating that she bought her first hat in his department store which triggered her love of hats. There is also a letter from Hopper to Francis Wickware describing her working methods in detail. Also of interest is a small scrapbook containing programs of plays Hopper attended as a teenager along with handwritten notes regarding the theater and her guests. A London file includes autographs of the cast and crew of BLACK NARCISSUS (1946) from Hopper's first visit to Pinewood Studios.

The biography files maintained by Hopper make up the bulk of the collection. There are files on hundreds of film personalities from Bud Abbott to Darryl F. Zanuck, as well as such politicians as Dwight D. Eisenhower, Herbert Hoover, J. Edgar Hoover, Joseph McCarthy, Richard Nixon, and others. Included are transcripts of interviews conducted either in person or by telephone (it is not always clear which), as well as some correspondence. Interviews generally cover the film or television project the subject was involved with at the time of the interview. Some files only contain thank-you letters or notes with no interesting content and relate only to the subject's mention in one of Hopper's columns or articles. Letters, often handwritten, with interesting content include those from Tallulah Bankhead, Theda Bara, Candice Bergen, Clara Bow, Frank Capra, Maurice Chevalier, Constance Collier, Bing Crosby, Bette Davis, Deanna Durbin, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., John Garfield, Greer Garson, Jackie Gleason, D. W. Griffith, Katharine Hepburn, Jeanette MacDonald, Mary Martin, the Marx Brothers, Steve McQueen, Clifford Odets, Sir Laurence Olivier, Mary Pickford, Luise Rainer, Edward G. Robinson, Mickey Rooney, Mack Sennett, Pete Smith, Shirley Temple, and Orson Welles. Among the hundreds of interviews are those with Lauren Bacall, Samuel Bronston, Gary Cooper, George Cukor, Walt Disney, Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Cary Grant, Charlton Heston, Alfred Hitchcock, Buster Keaton, Ernie Kovacs, Roddy McDowall, Gregory Peck, Sidney Poitier, Ginger Rogers, David O. Selznick, Shirley Temple, King Vidor, and Mae West. Of special interest is a transcript of a telephone conversation between Hopper and Elizabeth Montgomery, in which Hopper threatens to reveal Montgomery's affair with Dean Martin. Also of interest is a fictionalized account of Marilyn Monroe's life written by a fan claiming to be Mickey Spillane as well as a mock gossip column featuring the characters "Polly Parsnips" and "Headache Hoopla" written by a Brazilian fan.

Thirty-four scrapbooks contain Hopper's columns from 1938 through 1966.

The photograph series of the Hedda Hopper papers spans the 1910s to the 1960s and encompasses approximately 4 linear feet. The series consists of over 2,600 photographs, including portraits, publicity shots, oversized prints, candids, and black-and-white negatives. The photographs are grouped into biography photographs and subject photographs.

The biography photographs consist of group portraits, candids and unidentified scene stills. The material is arranged alphabetically by name. Among those depicted are Adrian, Tallulah Bankhead, Cecil B. DeMille, Samuel Goldwyn, Cary Grant, Bob Hope, Merle Oberon, Louella Parsons, Mae West, and Darryl F. Zanuck.

The subject photographs include the following subseries: awards, testimonials and honorary degrees; birthdays; family; general; hats; Hilton Hotels; miscellaneous publicity; parties and balls; portraits; residences; and trips.

Hedda Hopper (1890-1966) was born Elda Furry in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. She was active on the stage before her marriage in 1913 to matinee idol DeWolf Hopper, whose name she took as her own and whom she divorced in 1921. The actress made her screen debut in 1916 with "Battle of Hearts" and appeared in supporting roles in dozens of films through the early 1930s, usually portraying distinguished-looking society women. As her film career petered out in the mid-1930s, Hopper looked for other sources of income, and in 1937 embarked on a new career as a gossip columnist. She remained active as a columnist and fan magazine writer until her death, producing six daily columns and a Sunday column—for the "Chicago Tribune" syndicate—as well as countless articles for popular and fan magazines.