Johnny Depp was born John Christopher Depp II in Owensboro, Kentucky on June 9, 1963. Now, let’s get to the fun stuff!
21 Jump Street
Johnny’s first lead role was in Fox TV’s 21 Jump Street which premiered in 1987. He accepted the role because he wasn’t getting much work. His quick rise to fame and teen idol status made him very uncomfortable and he decided that when his contract expired with Fox, he would seek movie roles that he felt were more right for him.
Here’s a clip from a 21 Jump Street episode featuring, not only Johnny Depp, but Brad Pitt, too! Check out the hairstyles….
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A Nightmare On Elm Street
Depp’s first major film role was in the 1984 horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street, playing the heroine’s boyfriend and one of Freddy’s victims. Johnny landed this role, quite by accident, when he accompanied his buddy, Jackie Earl Haley, to the audition. Jackie did not get the role – Johnny did. And in a strange twist of fate, Jackie Earl Haley will be portraying Freddy Krueger, the child murdering dream villain, in the 2010 remake of Nightmare On Elm Street!
Here’s Johnny’s memorable death-by-being-sucked-into-a-bed scene from Nightmare:
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Edward Scissorhands
Tired of teen roles, Depp’s next role was Edward Scissorhands, a 1990 comedy-drama fantasy film directed by Tim Burton. Edward Scissorhands was an artificial man, an unfinished creation, who has scissors for hands. He’s taken in by a suburban family and falls in love with their daughter, all the while performing wonderous works of art with the hairstyles of the women in the neighborhood. Depp received a Golden Globe award for this role.
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Benny And Joon
A 1993 comedy about how two misfits find each other and fall in love. Depp also won a Golden Globe for this movie. And, in my own humble opinion, it’s one of his best movies ever. The scene at the end, where he’s swinging from a rope outside Joon’s hospital room window, gets me crying every time! Here’s a clip I found:
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Sleepy Hollow
Depp stars as Ichabod Crane, the police detective sent to investigate a series of mysterious murders by a Headless Horseman in another Tim Burton creation, Sleepy Hollow. The film also stars Christina Ricci and Christopher Walken. Trivia bit – Brad Pitt was originally offered the role of Ichabod Crane.
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Chocolat
Vianne arrives in a tranquil little French village and opens up her magical chocolate shop, enticing the villagers with her mystical treats. Until she, herself, is smitten with a treat – Johnny Depp!
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Pirates Of The Caribbean
Johnny Depp plays Captain Jack Sparrow in 3 episodes of this franchise: “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl”, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”, and “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”. All 3 star Depp as the swashbuckling, rum swilling, vagabond captain. The films were all nominated for more awards than it’s possible to list and Depp is said to have patterned his character after Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones. Just in case you’ve been off the planet for the past few years, here’s a clip to whet your whistle, matey!
For More Information On The Pirates Of The Caribbean movies, click the following links:
Pirates Of The Caribbean – Curse Of The Black Pearl
Pirates Of The Caribbean – Dead Man’s Chest
Pirates Of The Caribbean – At World’s End
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
This is another of Depp’s and Burton’s creations and they are so magical together! In a role made famous by Gene Wilder in the 1971 “Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory”, Johnny Depp steps in and so believably becomes the maniacal chocolatier that you find yourself actually believing in Oompa Loompas!
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Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street
This 1007 film by director Tim Burton stars Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd. Set in Victorian era England, Todd is a maniacal barber who murders his customers with a straight razor and, with the help of his assistant, Mrs. Lovett, turns their remains into meat pies! This is a musical, believe it or not, and won several awards, including an Golden Globe Award for Depp for Best Actor.
Sweeney Todd also stars actress Helena Bonham Carter, Burton’s partner, who will also be starring in the new “Alice In Wonderland” with Depp.
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