Johnny Depp
Reluctantly cast as undercover cop Tom Hanson on the TV series '21 Jump Street' (1987), Depp became a teen idol he never wanted to be. He deliberately chose offbeat roles to escape that image, and his collaboration with director Tim Burton on 'Edward Scissorhands' (1990) redefined him as a fearless character actor.
An Accidental Actor
A Kentucky-born high school dropout, Depp moved to Los Angeles chasing a music career. A chance introduction through Nicolas Cage led to acting, and a horror debut in 'A Nightmare on Elm Street.'
Escaping the Teen Idol
Frustrated by his '21 Jump Street' heartthrob fame, Depp chose deliberately strange roles. His partnership with Tim Burton on films like 'Edward Scissorhands' and 'Ed Wood' built his reputation as Hollywood's premier character chameleon.
Blockbusters and Controversy
Captain Jack Sparrow made him a global box-office force and earned three Oscar nominations. His later years were marked by high-profile legal battles, including a closely watched 2022 defamation trial.
Career Timeline
- 1963Born in Owensboro, Kentucky
- 1984Film debut in 'A Nightmare on Elm Street'
- 1987Becomes teen idol on TV's '21 Jump Street'
- 1990Stars in Tim Burton's 'Edward Scissorhands'
- 1994Plays the title role in 'Ed Wood'
- 1997Stars opposite Al Pacino in 'Donnie Brasco'
- 2003Introduces Captain Jack Sparrow in 'Pirates of the Caribbean'
- 2007Reunites with Burton for 'Sweeney Todd'
- 2022Wins defamation trial in widely watched case
- 2023Directs feature film 'Jeanne du Barry'
Biggest Hits
- Depp was a struggling musician before acting; his friend Nicolas Cage urged him to try out for film roles.
- He based Captain Jack Sparrow partly on Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, who later cameoed as Jack's father.
Portrait: Made In Hollywood TV · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons