Johnny
Depp proves to be one of Hollywood’s mysterious characters, with his filmic
roles ranging from the spooky to eccentric. Born in Kentucky and raised in
Florida, Depp himself has admitted to alcohol and drug abuse, but he’s avoided
the major breakdown of some his co-stars. Nevertheless, Depp is said to be Hollywood’s richest actor, Guinness
World Book of Records 2012, with $75 million. He gained prominence from his principal
role on the original television show 21
Jump Street during the 90’s and had a cameo appearance in the 2012 filmic remake. With 3 Academy Award nominations and a Golden Globe win for Best
Actor, Johnny Depp has certainly left his mark on the Hollywood landscape. Of
course his most popular performance is Captain Jack Sparrow in The Pirates of the Caribbean series,
which, from 2003, catapulted him into the commercial film fan base.
Perhaps
his iconic early role is Edward Scissorhands in 1990, which brought about a
succession of collaborations with Tim Burton (eight in total) – including
2005’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and
this year’s Dark Shadows adaptation. Edward was an eerie yet loveable
character, and the story has become a classic for the young kids of the decade.
It also sparked his four-year year relationship with Winona Ryder.
One
of the movies that passed under the radar, or at least which doesn’t compare to
his current successes, is that of 1993’s Benny
and Joon. Depp plays an
artistic quirky individual who develops an unlikely friendship with his
friend’s autistic sister. It’s not his most commercial performance but it’s
sweet and a flashback to classic silent-screen comedy. The late 90s saw Depp realise
some darker, fantasising characters that have led to such roles, as he is most
well known for today. 1998’s film adaptation of Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas has acquired somewhat of a cult following
– with Depp playing the role of American hedonistic drug-taking writer Hunter
S. Thompson (And not for the last time- appearing in last year’s The Rum Diary as the very same
character).
In 2004, Depp took on the role of another prominent writer,
this time Scottish, as Peter Pan’s J.M. Barrie in Finding Neverland. Paired with Kate Winslet, he didn’t seem totally
unconvincing from his usual American drawl. He especially took on the ‘lost
boy’ character, or isolated man who keeps returning in his casting. However his
dark, atypical personality doesn’t send fans away, but draws them in even
further. Even in People Magazine Depp
was voted ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ in both 2003 and 2009.
Depp
returned to his original musical roots with his frightening performance in Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet
Street, a performance which ultimately won him his Golden Globe for Best
Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. The film heightened the gothic
horror of the original film but Depp’s voice was a pleasant surprise to all and
he suited the grim role. In 2009, once more, he was a villain – playing
Chicago’s famous criminal John Dillinger in Public
Enemies. The movie didn’t receive great criticism but it was a great
portrayal of the classic 1920s crim landscape. In a slightly more playful role,
in 2011 he appeared in the animated feature film Rango, as the main character, bringing his much-loved spunkiness
and enigmatic persona.
Johnny Depp may be turning 50 next year but he doesn’t look
like he’ll be stopping anytime soon.
As published on movies.com.au.
As published on movies.com.au.
