Johnny Depp

Early Years

Born in Owensboro, Kentucky, on June 9, 1963, John Christopher Depp II and his family moved over twenty times before settling in Miramar, Florida when he was seven. Depp’s parents, John Christopher Sr. and Betty Sue Palmer, divorced when Johnny was 15. Depp is the youngest of four children – one brother, Danny, and two sisters, Christie and Debbie.

A high school drop out at the age of 15, Depp had aspirations of becoming a rock star. He fronted a number of garage bands, most notably one called The Kids, which opened once for Iggy Pop.

Depp’s Big Break

Depp married makeup artist Lori Anne Allison, who was the sister of the band’s drummer. The group changed their name to Six Gun Method and set off for Los Angeles to try and land a record deal. The band later broke up before signing a deal.

His wife introduced Depp to actor Nicolas Cage, who advised Depp to consider acting. Johnny Depp began his acting career in the horror film, A Nightmare on Elm Street, in 1984. Few knew from this early performance that he would go on to become such a fierce talent. Following Nightmare, Depp appeared in the film Platoon in a secondary role. Then he landed a role on the 1987 TV series 21 Jump Street. With this series, Depp was now considered a teen idol, a notion that did not sit well with him.

Career Defining Roles

Depp at the premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Johnny Depp was selective in his film choices, steering clear of Hollywood formula pictures and romantic comedies for less mainstream movies. This proved to be an excellent move on his part. Although he played many serious, eccentric parts in smaller films, he was able to showcase his acting abilities without the risk of being typecast. He also gained the respect of peers, built a solid fan base, and won over critics.

He has collaborated most with director Tim Burton, including Edward Scissorhands (1990), Ed Wood (1994), Sleepy Hollow (1999), The Corpse Bride (2005), and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005). Depp will be seen in the upcoming Sweeney Todd, also directed by Tim Burton.

Other film roles include:

• Cry Baby (1990)
• What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
• Benny & Joon (1993)
• Don Juan DeMarco (1995)
• Dead Man (1995)
• Donnie Brasco (1997)
• Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
• The Astronaut’s Wife (1999)
• Before Night Falls (2000)
• Chocolat (2000)
• Blow (2001)
• From Hell (2001)
• Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)
• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
• Secret Window (2004)
• Finding Neverland (2004)
• The Libertine (2004)
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006)

More Mainstream Films

The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise have been Johnny Depp’s most mainstream films, however, he still manages to play an eccentric character. His role as Captain Jack Sparrow, for whom Depp says he emulated Rolling Stones’ guitarist Keith Richards, showed that Depp could do a film with wide appeal while still delivering a performance that was anything but ordinary. He received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Jack Sparrow for Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.

Depp was also nominated for the Best Actor Oscar for his role as author J.M. Barrie in the film Finding Neverland.

Depp with wife Vanessa Paradis

Relationships

Depp’s marriage to Lori Anne Allison in 1983 ended in 1985. Depp has, however, had his fair share of high profile relationships, and was engaged to Sherilyn Fenn, Jennifer Grey, Winona Ryder and Kate Moss. So convinced was Depp that Winona Ryder was “the one,” he had “Winona Forever” tattooed on his arm.

Depp now lives with French singer/actress Vanessa Paradis. The couple has two children together – Lily-Rose Melody (born in 1999) and Jack (born in 2002).

Bad Boy Incidents

Depp has seen his fair share of legal trouble, including being accused of allowing the sale of drugs at his club, The Viper Room. He was also arrested for trashing a New York hotel suite in 1994, and was arrested in London for fighting with paparazzi outside of a restaurant in 1999.

Johnny Depp Facts

Wow your friends with these Johnny Depp facts:

• Depp’s sister, Christie, was once his personal manager.
• Depp has recorded with the band Oasis, playing lead slide guitar on the track Fade In-Out.
• His “Winona Forever” tattoo was later changed to “Wino Forever.”
• Depp plays in a band called P.
• In 2003, E! named Depp the Entertainer of the Year.
• Depp was named People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2003.
• Johnny Depp appears in Tom Petty’s music video Into the Great Wide Open.
• Depp co-owns a Paris restaurant/club, called Man Ray, with Sean Penn and John Malkovich.
• Premiere Magazine ranked Depp for the following in 2006:
  • Depp ranks #47 on the list of the Greatest Movie Stars of All Time.
  • His Edward Scissorhands performance ranked #22 on the 100 Greatest Performances of All Time.
  • His Jack Sparrow performance in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was ranked #79 for the 100 Greatest Performances of All Time.
  • His portrayal of Jack Sparrow ranked #87 for the 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.