Johnny Depp
John Christopher “Johnny” Depp II (born June 9, 1963) is an American actor and musician known for his portrayals of offbeat, eccentric characters such as Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, Raoul Duke in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and Sam in Benny & Joon.
Depp rose to prominence in a lead role on the television series 21 Jump Street and quickly became regarded as a teen idol. Uncomfortable with that characterization, he turned his focus to film roles that he felt were right. He initially came to film prominence as the titular character of Edward Scissorhands, and later found box office success in roles such as Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow, Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series and his role as the quirky Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
He has collaborated with director and close friend Tim Burton in seven films, the most recent of which are Alice in Wonderland and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007). Depp has garnered acclaim for his portrayals of real life figures such as Edward D. Wood, Jr., in Ed Wood, Joseph D. Pistone in Donnie Brasco and George Jung in Blow (2001). More recently, he portrayed legendary bank robber John Dillinger in Michael Mann’s 2009 film Public Enemies.
Films featuring Depp have grossed over $2.6 billion at the United States box office and over $5.7 billion worldwide. Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor three times, Screen Actors Guild Awards four times and Golden Globe Awards eight times, Depp won the Best Actor Awards from the Golden Globes for his role in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and from the Screen Actors Guild for Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
Trade Mark
Highly defined cheek-bones
Frequently plays freakishly eccentric outcasts whose oddities are misunderstood by society, and usually have a flamboyant appearance and mannerism. Examples: Edward Scissorhands (1990), Ed Wood (1994), Don Juan DeMarco (1994), Dead Man (1995), Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998), Before Night Falls (2000), the “Pirates of the Caribbean”trilogy, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007).
Frequently works with director Tim Burton.
Frequently bases his performances on rock stars.
Trivia
Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the “100 Sexiest Stars in Film History” (#1). [1995]
Daughter, with Vanessa Paradis, Lily-Rose Melody Depp. [27 May 1999]
Arrested for being in a fight with paparazzis in front of a restaurant in London. [January 1999]
Ranked #67 in Empire (UK) magazine’s The Top-100 Movie Stars of All Time list. [October 1997]
Chosen by People (USA) Magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. [1996]
Voted Empire’s (UK) Sexiest Male Movie Star of All Time. [1995]
Has twice recorded with British band Oasis. Most notably, he plays lead slide guitar on the track “Fade In-Out”, from the 1997 album Be Here Now. Noel Gallagher, Oasis’s lead guitarist, was allegedly too drunk to perform it himself, so celebrity pal Depp stepped in and nailed the lead on one take.
Arrested for trashing a New York hotel room. Depp claimed that an armadillo was responsible, saying that he had found the animal hidden in a closet and it had gone crazy, wrecking the hotel room before leaping out the window. [1994]
Ex-fiancées: Sherilyn Fenn, Kate Moss, Jennifer Grey and Winona Ryder.
When engaged to Winona Ryder, he had “Winona forever” tattooed on his arm. After the broke up, he had the n and a surgically removed to simply say “Wino forever!”
Was the guitarist in a band called The Kids.
Currently plays in a band called P.
Adopted Goldeneye, the one-eyed Andalusian horse who played Gunpowder, Ichabod Crane’s steed in Sleepy Hollow (1999), thereby saving him from the glue factory.
Got his “Betty Sue” tattoo May 31, 1988.
Named one of E!’s Top 20 Entertainers of 2001.
Son, Jack, born to him and Vanessa Paradis on April 9, 2002, in Neuilly, France, weighing just over 7 lbs.
Chosen #2 on E!’s 25 sexiest entertainers list
With Chuck E. Weiss, Depp reportedly paid US $350,000 for the Central Nightclub in Los Angeles, California, and turned it into the Viper Room at 8852 Sunset Blvd. Other stars in contention to buy the club in 1993 included Arnold Schwarzenegger and, separately, Frank Stallone.
Lists British comedy “The Fast Show” (1994) — renamed “Brilliant” for US television — as his favorite TV program of all time. He used to take tapes of the series on tour with him to keep him amused. Made a guest appearance in the last-ever sketch in its last-ever episode.
Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine in 2001.
Wrote the foreword to Mark Salisbury’s biography of Tim Burton, “Burton on Burton.” He credits Burton’s belief in him for rescuing him from being “a loser, an outcast, just another piece of expendable Hollywood meat.”
Johnny’s two children with Vanessa Paradis have the same names of the two main characters in Legend (1985): Lily (b. 1999) and Jack (b.2002).
His long-time girlfriend, Vanessa Paradis, is a popular singer-songwriter in her native France, as well as an aspiring actress.
Gave Noel Gallagher a white guitar with the letter “P” on it, which he regularly plays during Oasis’ gigs. “P” is the name of a band that Depp was in.
Has a song about him by the late famed schizophrenic Chicago street artist Wesley Willis.
Parents: John Christopher Depp and Elizabeth “Betty” Sue Wells. His parents divorced when he was 15.
He wanted some of his teeth to be gold-capped for Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) but thought the producers would never agree. He found a dentist and had lots more capped than he wanted. Disney boss Michael Eisner like them but thought there were way too many and told Depp to remove all but a few.
Resides in France and Los Angeles.
Siblings: Danny (D.P. Depp), Christi Dembrowski, and Deborah (Debbie).
Was People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2003.
The building in which Depp’s Viper Room is housed was once owned by infamous gangster Bugsy Siegel.
Chosen as E!’s 2003 Entertainer of the Year.
According to the liner notes for the soundtrack CD of Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003), he wrote his own theme music, the music for Sands (Track 9 on the CD).
Shot all of his scenes in nine days for Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003), but after his filming was done he didn’t want to leave. So he suggested to Robert Rodriguez that he play a small part, the priest that Antonio Banderas talks to in the church, and use his Marlon Brando impression.
Reportedly based his portrayal of “Ichabod Crane” in Sleepy Hollow (1999) on “Withnail” from Withnail & I (1987), as played by Richard E. Grant.
Has been in seven films in which the title contains the name of the character he plays: Edward Scissorhands (1990), Cry-Baby (1990), What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), Ed Wood (1994), Don Juan DeMarco (1994), Donnie Brasco (1997), and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007).
Persuaded actor Rey-Phillip Santos to give acting a try.
Received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 19 November 1999. Tim Burton and Martin Landau were guest speakers.
Has a niece, Megan: she works for popular online entertainment magazine TYCP.
Was ranked #5 on VH1′s 100 Hottest Hotties.
Based the character of Captain Jack Sparrow on rock legend Keith Richards and the Looney Tunes character, Pepe Le Pew.
Purchased Bela Lugosi’s Los Angeles home.
Sports his son’s name, Jack, tattooed on his arm and a beaded bracelet made by his daughter Lily Rose.
Is hugely interested in Jack the Ripper.
Ranked #4 in TV Guide’s list of TV’s 25 Greatest Teen Idols (23 January 2005 issue).
Has something in common with actor Robert Englund, famed for portraying dream-stalking Freddy Krueger in the “Nightmare on Elm Street” movies. Both of them appeared in the first A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), and both had played characters with blades for hands: Englund as Freddy Krueger, and Depp as the title character in Edward Scissorhands (1990). And, strangely, both of them were born in June, with their birthdays three days apart, and they share the same height, which is 5′ 10″.
A movie buff (with a somewhat encyclopedic knowledge of older films), he admits he watches few movies any more, other than the children’s films that his “kiddies” prefer. He also enjoys most of them.
Loves watching animated films with his daughter such as Shrek (2001) and Finding Nemo (2003).
Co-owns a restaurant/club in Paris called Man Ray (named after avant-garde artist Man Ray) with Sean Penn and John Malkovich. The restaurant is located in a renovated theater and serves Tibetan cuisine.
Premiere Magazine ranked him as #47 on a list of the Greatest Movie Stars of All Time in their Stars in Our Constellation feature (2005).
When he was cast as “Willy Wonka” in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), many newspapers published headings about “Depp’s Willy” and “Deppy’s Willy is a Bit Wonkier”.
Apparently conceived his portrayal of Edward D. Wood Jr. as a cross between Ronald Reagan (the wobbly-headed thing), the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz (1939), and the voice of Casey Kasem.
Dropped out of high school at 16 to pursue a career as a musician.
As a teen, he and his punk/new wave band “The Kids” opened for Iggy Pop, Duran Duran, and The B-52′s, among others.
As a child, he was allergic to chocolate.
In 2004, Renée Zellweger accepted the Screen Actors Guild Award for “Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role” on his behalf, because he wasn’t present at the awards ceremony
Learned French to be able to converse with Vanessa Paradis’ parents.
He also played slide for an acoustic recording of Fade Away, recorded in 1995 for the War Child: Help album.
Had come into professional contact with the great screen villains Vincent Price and Christopher Lee. Price co-starred with Depp in Edward Scissorhands (1990), and Lee co-starred with him in Sleepy Hollow (1999), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) and Corpse Bride (2005). Oddly, all of them were Tim Burton films.
Great admirer of Marlon Brando. He was also good friends with the legendary actor, who described Depp as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
Although unable to attend, he was awarded the Gary Cooper Spirit of Montana Award at the 2005 HatcH audiovisual festival in Bozeman, Montana. HatcH honored Depp for his outstanding career and his role as a mentor and inspiration to young and aspiring artists.
Has portrayed a real-life character in ten films: Edward D. Wood Jr. in Ed Wood (1994), Lt. Victor/Bon Bon in Before Night Falls (2000), Hunter S. Thompson in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998), Insp. Fred Abberline in From Hell (2001), Joseph Pistone/Donnie Brasco in Donnie Brasco (1997), George Jung in Blow (2001), J.M. Barrie in Finding Neverland (2004), ‘John Wilmot, The Second Earl of Rochester’ in The Libertine (2005), Jack Kerouac in The Source (1999) (TV), and John Dillinger in Public Enemies (2009).
Sherilyn Fenn’s name is scrawled across his helmet in Platoon (1986).
He has said in interviews that he is of Cherokee, Irish, and German descent, with some Navajo as well. Asked the origin of his last name by James Lipton on Inside the Actors Studio, Johnny Depp said his name means “idiot” in German.
Was listed as a potential nominee on the 2006 Razzie Award nominating ballot. He was suggested in the Worst Actor category for his performance in the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), however, he failed to receive a nomination.
His ownership of the Viper room ended in 2004, he signed it over to Amanda Fox, the daughter of his missing partner in the club, Anthony Fox.
Was voted the Second Greatest Actor (behind Marlon Brando) in British Channel Channel 4′s Greatest Actor Poll.
His performance as Edward Scissorhands in _Edward Scissorhands (1990)_ is ranked #22 on Premiere Magazine’s 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006).
His performance as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) is ranked #79 on Premiere Magazine’s 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006).
Friend of Christina Ricci.
Reportedly based his portrayal of “Ichabod Crane” in Sleepy Hollow (1999) on “Withnail” from Withnail & I (1987), as played by Richard E. Grant.
Ranked #1 in the “Best Hollywood Signers 2006″ list by “Autograph Collector” magazine (May 2006).
Was close with his grandfather who died when he was 7 years old.
His performance as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) is ranked #87 on Premiere Magazine’s 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time (2006).
His performance as Edward Scissorhands in _Edward Scissorhands (1990)_ is ranked #65 on Premiere Magazine’s 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.
Ranked #18 on Premiere’s 2006 “Power 50″ list. Had ranked #23 in 2005.
A rule he has towards fans requesting his autograph and picture is that no photography is allowed of his children.
Is the only actor to be nominated for the Oscar in the Lead Actor category in a Disney film (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)).
Frequently cites Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)) and Edward Scissorhands (1990) as the favorite characters that he has played.
Oliver Stone seriously considered casting him in Charlie Sheen’s role in Platoon (1986), but the studio thought Depp was “too young.” Sheen is actually two years younger than Depp!
Was Andy Wachowski and Lana Wachowski’s very first choice for the role of “Neo” in The Matrix (1999). Since Depp wasn’t considered a box-office friendly name, Warner Bros. decided on casting Keanu Reeves instead.
Has been described as the “jester of cinema, the Method clown.” His incredibly bizarre on-screen persona brings to mind the off-screen behavior of the late Marlon Brando, who was famously eccentric and quirky once he retired from acting.
Has a niece called Megan
Once painted on a billboard featuring his “21 Jump Street” (1987) character because he didn’t like his picture or the message the billboard gave. He was stopped by a security guard who actually let him finish what he was doing when he realized it was Johnny’s own face.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) is the sixth film that Depp and Tim Burton worked on together, with the other five being Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Corpse Bride (2005), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Ed Wood (1994) and Edward Scissorhands (1990).
He was good friends with Hunter S. Thompson until his death. Depp helped to fulfill Thompson’s last wish after the writer died. Thompson wanted his remains to be shot out of a 150 foot long canon.
Born in Kentucky but moved to Florida at age 7.
He is the youngest of 4 children.
Has admitted in interviews that one of his favorite pastimes is watching cartoons (especially Dave The Barbarian of whom he is a big fan) with his children.
Named after his father John Christopher Depp.
Was considered for the role of Florentino Ariza in Love in the Time of Cholera (2007), but director Mike Newell refused to work with big name Hollywood stars. Javier Bardem got the role instead.
Owns a customised 1960′s 650cc Triumph Bonneville motorcycle.
Moved to a villa in France with girlfriend Vanessa Paradis and his daughter Lily Rose Melody Depp in 1999.
Has 2 silver teeth.
Originally cast as John Smith in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), but turned it down after being overworked with other movies he was shooting.
Is a great admirer and good friend of Tom Baker.
His children have the same names as “Mad” Jack and Lilly the Mermaid from the movie Magic Island (1995) (V).
Was engaged to Sherilyn Fenn, whom he met on the set of the 1985 short student film “Dummies” directed by Laurie Frank. Their engagement was broken off after three years and a half.
Dylan Seal is his second cousin.
He is a fan of The Rolling Stones and the gypsy musical group Taraf de Haidouks.
Turned down the role of Jack Traven in action hit Speed (1994/I).
2007 – Ranked #21 on EW’s The 50 Smartest People in Hollywood.
Was named Empire Magazine’s #5 in the list of 100 Sexiest Stars.
In 2007, it was reported by Forbes Magazine that his earnings for the year 2006 were estimated to be $92 million.
Was named Top Money Making Star for the second year in a row in the 76th annual Quickley Publishing Co. poll for year 2007.
He is a godfather of Tim Burton son Billy Ray Burton.
Donated $2 million to the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. He gave the gift as thanks for the treatment his daughter Lily-Rose received at the facility in March 2007 after contracting an E. Coli infection that caused kidney failure.
Was a fan of the British improvisational show Whose Line Is It Anyway?.
Good friend of Serbian film director Emir Kusturica.
Guest with Jim Jarmusch of Belgrade Film Festival FEST in 1992. With Jarmusch, Emir Kusturica and Serbian Rock n’Roll band Partybreakers (Partibrejkersi) he held a concert.
Has a nightclub named after him in Tartu, Estonia. The nightclub is called “Who wouldn’t like Johnny Depp?”.
Was originally set to play the lead character Jean-Dominique Bauby in Julian Schnabel movie Le scaphandre et le papillon (2007). However, he dropped from the project due to scheduling conflicts.
Good friend with actress Helena Bonham Carter, partner of his best friend Tim Burton.
Made a voice message for 17-year-old British girl who has been in a coma for five months. Parents of the girl asked him to tape a voice message because he’s the favorite actor of their daughter and they will play that message to her everyday hoping she’ll wake up. Depp was touched by the letter and he said that he’ll do whatever he can to help. (25 March 2008).
Co-wrote the song “Mary” by the Hard Rock band Rock City Angels.
Was originally supposed to play the on screen version of Billy Loomis in the original version of Scream 2 (1997), but was replaced by Luke Wilson.
He and Vanessa Paradis grow grapes and have wine making facilities in their vineyard in Plan-de-la-Tour north of Saint-Tropez.
Closed down the “Viper Room” for two weeks after River Phoenix died there and he also closed it on every 31 October until 2004 (when he sold his share of the club), which was the date of Phoenix’s death.
Nicolas Cage got him his first acting job.
Ranked #6 in the 2008 Forbes The Celebrity 100 list.
Fan of popular British series “Midsomer Murders” (1997). He also stated that he would like to make a guest appearance in this long-running show.
Was originally going to play opposite the English comedian Sally Phillips, in The Man Who Killed Don Quixote which Terry Gilliam was going to direct. But the movie got scrapped.
He has expressed interest in getting French, British or Australian citizenship when he retires from an active movie career,.
Donated his fee earned for The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) to the daughter of late Heath Ledger. Jude Law and Colin Farrell did the same thing after Depp gave that idea.
Divides his time between homes in France and Los Angeles. He also owns homes in Somerset, New York City and The Bahamas.
Was considered for the role of Cal McCaffery in State of Play (2009) after Brad Pitt dropped out. The role went to Russell Crowe instead.
Was considered for the role of Detective Trupo in American Gangster (2007).
Is scared of clowns.
Was considered one of the top three actors of his generation by Dustin Hoffman, his costar in Finding Neverland (2004).
Based his characterization of Edward D. Wood Jr. on a mixture of “the blind optimism of Ronald Reagan, the enthusiasm of “The Tin Man” from The Wizard of Oz (1939) and Casey Kasem”.
Turned down the role of Bruce Banner in Hulk (2003).
Named beaches on his own island in Bahamas after his wife Vanessa Paradis, his children and public figures like Hunter S. Thompson & Marlon Brando. There is also a patch of water named “Heath’s Place” after Heath Ledger.
Was considered for the role of Pumpkin/Ringo in Pulp Fiction (1994), but Tim Roth was cast instead.
Close friend of Abigail Breslin.
Is a fan of “Doctor Who” (1963).
People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in 2009.
Received the prestigious Career Achievement Award at 2009. Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF). Festival Patron Sean Connery presented Depp with his award.
Attended the Küstendorf Film and Music Festival in Serbia. [January 2010]
Nominated for Grammy award along with Douglas Brinkley in the category of Best Album Notes for Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson Music from the Film. [2010]
At 2010 People’s Choice Awards he won the award for Favorite Movie Actor Of The Decade. Depp was honored by Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) co-star Sacha Baron Cohen.
Lives in Los Angeles, California, Plan de la Tour, France and Bahamas.
Was present during the filming of then-girlfriend Sherilyn Fenn’s movie The Wraith (1986) and was living in the film crew’s hotel with Fenn. [1986]
While dining at Chicago’s famous Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse with a group of friends, including Public Enemies (2009) co-star Marion Cotillard and director Michael Mann, Depp dropped a mammoth tip in the amount of $4,000 on a bill for $4,400, in effect, leaving an incredible 90% gratuity. The party of 15 were celebrating a red carpet screening of Depp’s then latest release Public Enemies (2009). [June 2009]
