Kovács' breakthrough came with the 1969 film "Easy Rider", starring and directed by Dennis Hopper. Kovács was reluctant to work on this film at first, having already worked on a number of B movie biker films, such as "Hells Angels on Wheels". Hopper ultimately convinced Kovács that this film would be different and Kovács signed on as the film's director of photography. He earned second place for the Best Cinematographer Golden Laurel at the 1970 Laurel Awards. In 1970, he again worked with Hopper on the film "The Last Movie". That same year, Kovács filmed "Five Easy Pieces", for which he received the third place Golden Laurel for Best Cinematographer.