Johnny Depp has come a long way since his bloody bed demise as Glen Lantz in the original A Nightmare on Elm Street. His name is now synonymous with some of the best Tim Burton films, he’s part of an internationally-acclaimed rock band, and he’s a successful artist, with his paintings selling for millions.
In celebration of Depp entering his sixth decade of life on June 9, 2023, let’s take a look at this Owensboro, Kentucky native’s six strengths that continue to make him a beloved figure among the masses.
Acting
In the years that followed his breakthrough performance in A Nightmare on Elm Street, Depp’s credits have grown to nearly 100. From his portrayal of FBI agent Joseph Pistone in Donnie Brasco alongside Al Pacino (The Godfather 1972) to the rum-loving Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney’s The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, he’s basically done it all.
However, Johnny Depp is arguably most beloved for his slew of fantastical roles in Burton’s hit filmography, for which he completely alters his appearance, tone, and mannerisms to fit each character. There’s the dark and murderous barber Sweeney Todd (a performance that allowed Depp to showcase his vocal abilities for the first time), the shy and misunderstood Edward Scissorhands, and (my personal favorite), the high-pitched and toothy Willy Wonka.
Voice Work
In addition to his vast array of on-screen work, Johnny Depp is no stranger to lending his voice to animated creations. Even in this realm, some of his best work is part of a Burton project. The year 2005 saw Depp take on the very on-brand role of Victor Van Dort in Corpse Bride. The following year, Depp was nominated for a Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Voice from an Animated Feature.
Depp’s experience in the world of animation didn’t end there. He can also be heard as Rango in the 2011 film of the same name, Johnny Puff in the series Puffins Impossible, and, in a 2012 episode of Family Guy, as Edward Scissorhands.
Singing and Live Performance
Prior to earning heartthrob status as Tom Hanson on 21 Jump Street, Depp’s main aspiration wasn’t to become a famous actor. Rather, he dreamed of being a successful musician. In fact, he was part of the Florida-based band Rock City Angels before his acting career took off. Though this dream fell to the back burner when Depp made it big in Hollywood, he never completely forgot about it.
Currently, Depp is part of Hollywood Vampires, a rock supergroup formed by himself, Alice Cooper (Prince of Darkness 1987), and Joe Perry (Wayne’s World 2 1993). The group has a number of album releases under its belt, including 2019’s Rise, which includes a cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes,” and, its latest, Live in Rio. Additionally, Depp toured with Jeff Beck in 2022. That same year, this duo released the studio album 19, featuring heartfelt tracks like “Venus In Furs” and others (“Sad Motherfuckin’ Parade”) that fans felt were inspired by a certain ex-wife.
Art
The positive reception to his musical ambitions gave Depp the drive to share another longtime passion with the world: art. Johnny Depp’s paintings are a blend of “pop art” and “street art” and depict some of his biggest idols in entertainment, including Pacino, Bob Marley, and Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight 2008). His first limited edition collection, entitled Friends & Heroes and available through Castle Fine Art, sold over $3.5 million in prints.
Depp said in a statement:
I’ve always used art to express my feelings and to reflect on those who matter most to me, like my family, friends and people I admire. My paintings surround my life, but I kept them to myself and limited myself. No one should ever limit themselves.
Directing
It was recently announced that, for the first time since 1997, Depp will have a seat in the director’s chair for Modi, a biopic of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. The film, which is expected to begin production in Budapest later this year, will star Riccardo Scamarcio (John Wick: Chapter 2 2017), Pierre Niney (Yves Saint Laurent 2014), and Depp’s old colleague Pacino. Audiences will witness Modigliani over the span of 48 hours in a war-stricken Paris.
Defying the Odds
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