Good Morning Starshine, It’s Johnny Depp’s 60th Birthday!

Samantha Bambino June 9, 2023 Editorials, News Comments Off on Good Morning Starshine, It’s Johnny Depp’s 60th Birthday!

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.

Producer Barry Navidi said of Modi, “This is a snapshot of Modigliani’s life that gives us insight into his struggle as an artist suffering from lack of recognition, and a project Al [Pacino] and I have pursued for many years. Our incredible cast, coupled with the vision, wit, and sensitivity I know Johnny will bring behind the camera, will make this a dream come true.”

Depp is no stranger to directing high-profile talent. His 1997 directorial debut was The Brave, starring Marlon Brando (The Godfather 1972).

Defying the Odds

Exactly a year ago, Johnny Depp came out victorious in his defamation battle against ex-wife Amber Heard (Aquaman 2018). Many, including the majority of Hollywood and most major news outlets, didn’t think he would. But over the course of several months, his legal team, headed by Ben Chew and Camille Vasquez, presented compelling evidence that Heard was not a victim of abuse. After endless hours (and countless claims of “hearsay”), the jury sided in his favor.

Though Depp sued Heard for $50 million, stating that her 2018 op-ed in the Washington Post about being “a public figure representing domestic abuse” was defamatory, he stressed that he didn’t take her to court for the money. Rather, he wanted to restore his reputation and reveal the truth.

He said in a post-win statement, “False, very serious criminal allegations were leveled at me via the media, which triggered an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever brought against me. It had already traveled around the world twice within a nanosecond and it had a seismic impact on my life and my career. And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled.”

Final Thoughts

As Depp celebrates his 60th birthday, he has a lot to smile about. He’s on the road with Hollywood Vampires, is signed to a whopping $20 million deal with Dior, and is back on screen as Louis XV in Jeanne du Barry. When the film premiered at Cannes, Depp received an unprecedented seven-minute-long standing ovation. While some have said Depp is enjoying a comeback, the truth is, he never went away.

Have a wonderful 60th birthday Mr. Depp!