Who really is Johnny Depp?

Bringing to life countless wonderfully unforgettable characters such as those of Edward Sissorhands, Captain Jack Sparrow, The Mad Hatter and many more, John Christopher Depp, better known as Johnny Depp, world top Hollywood actor, musician, director and writer, is one of the greatest stars of our time. But what is it that inspires us of this of truly versatile artist? And what are the things we need to recognize that are just part the "image" that the mass media tends to create out of celebrities? My intention here is to be able to look beyond the image of stardom and fame, appreciating the fundamentals that made this actor's developing success possible, which were not solely good looks.
Depp has an exceptionally rich 'toolkit' of his craft that few actors possess. His beautifully expressive face, sensitive graceful hands, physical grace, voice of many tones and shades, ability to develop uniquely identifying mannerisms, and most of all his intuitive judgment in how to sparingly and efficiently combine these unique gifts for the purpose of creating a credible character and story, even from the most fantastic and seemingly implausible material are unparalleled.When and as necessary, he mixes in just the right dose of humor to create the necessary distance that would save him and the viewers from sinking into the suffocating depths of unbearably dark horror, or get lost in a featherlight and ludicrously pink and fluffy fantasy world.
It is not just pin-up looks that make Depp special, he is truly a whole package.

Born on the morning of 9 June 1963 Kentucky USA, Depp was the fourth child to arrive in the family, joining his older sister and two brothers. His mother Betty Sue Palmer which he loves dearly, worked as a waitress, and his father John Christopher was an engineer. It is known that the young Depp begun to get called "Johnny" instead of John to distinguish him from his dad John Christopher. Depp has Cherokee ancestry from both sides, and strong Irish heritage from his mother's. Probably the strongest relationship he had as a child apart from with his mother, was with his grandad "PawPaw" as they used to call him, which was a full blooded Cherokee himself. He also loved to spend time devouring good literature books from his elder brother Danny, who later became a professional well known writer himself. It was a was a dreadful shock for seven-year-old Depp when PawPaw died, and circumstances got even worse when his parents divorced shortly after.

                    (A very young Depp)
Johnny's family had been constantly moving from place to place, never resting for too long. Depp grew up surrounded by uncomfortable and insecure situations, and his early life was quite of a chaos, relying merely on luck, faith, and good intuition. His goal was to succeed as a musician, and left school at the age of 15 to be able to follow his musical dreams. He self-taught himself guitar and started his own band called The Kids with a group of mates, which then traveled to Florida to chance their fortune.

  It was 4 years after this, that Depp got introduced into the world of acting by famous actor Nicolas Cage, a friend of Depp's band make-up artist. He told him acting is easy, and that he's got "a look that they're looking for". So, without much warning Depp started getting heart-throb and teen idol roles, unchaining from his first major role in the television series "21 Jump Street". Depp despised having to act the same style of superficial roles all the time, which were creating an unwanted "idol" image out of Depp, which he had no control over. This was not what Johnny ideally wanted to do, and he longed to be able to act richer and more diverse roles. He had more to give and further to explore.....

 His dream came true in 1989, when director Tim Burton cast him as Edward in the film "Edward Sissorhands". This opened new channels for Depp, leading him more into his desired theatrical path. His career has improved massively from then on, allowing him to acquire roles he could experiment with and mould to his own way.

He has now gained over 58 movie and film awards, Oscars and nominations, and his name on the Hollywood walk of fame since 1999.

Although having taken the route of acting, Johnny has never left his music behind. He has played with a number of bands including Rock City Angels, The Pouges, Babybird and Oasis, and has composed major parts of soundtracks to films such as Chocolat and Once Upon a Time in Mexio. From 2004 Depp created his own production company based in Los Angeles named Infinitum Nihil . Here he has the freedom to produce/direct and act new projects in what he pleases with the assistance of his sister Christi Dembrowski, and Sam Sarkar.

 Depp certainly has caring for others and understated achievement. He supports over a dozen charities, including Children’s Hospice & Palliative Care Coalition, Dogs Deserve Better and he even received the Courage To Care Award acknowledging his contribution efforts for the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Johnny’s been known to show up dressed as Captain Jack to entertain children’s hospital wards, and his rock band plays fund-raising for children with special needs.

He now lives a peaceful family life with his beautiful long-term girlfriend singer/musician/actress Vanessa Paradis and their two kids Jack and Lilly Rose, mainly in France.

                (Vanessa Paradis in concert)
He continues his career to this day, and we're all amazed at how he keeps inspiring us with new things, new characters, new looks, new ways. Truly something to treasure.
Not just a pretty face then hmm?. . . . . . . 

Filmography:
2011

Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Role: Captain Jack Sparrow

Movie: Rango
Role: Rango


2010
Movie: Alice in Wonderland
Role: Mad Hatter

Movie: The Tourist
Role: Frank Taylor


2009
Movie: Public Enemies
Role: John Dillinger

Movie: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Role: Imaginarium Tony 1

Tv: SpongeBob SquarePants
Role: Jack Kahuna Laguna (1 Episode)


2007
Movie: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Role: Sweeney Todd

Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Role: Captain Jack Sparrow


2006
Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Role: Captain Jack Sparrow


2005
Movie: Corpse Bride
Role: Victor Van Dort

Movie: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Role: Willy Wonka


2004
Movie: The Libertine
Role: Rochester

Movie: Finding Neverland
Role: Sir James Matthew Barrie

Movie: And They Lived Happily Ever After
Role: L'inconnu

Tv: King of the Hill
Role: Yogi Victor

Movie: Secret Window
Role: Mort Rainey


2003
Movie: Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Role: Sands

Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Role: Captain Jack Sparrow


2001
Movie: From Hell
Role: Inspector Frederick Abberline

Movie: Blow
Role: George Jung


2000
Tv: The Fast Show
Role: Customer in suit store

Movie: Chocolat
Role: Roux

Movie: Before Night Falls
Role: Bon Bon / Lieutenant Victor

Movie: The Man Who Cried
Role: Cesar


1999
Moive: Sleepy Hollow
Role: Ichabod Crane

Movie: The Astronaut's Wife
Role: Commander Spencer Armacost

Movie: The Ninth Gate
Role: Dean Corso


1998
Movie: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Role: Raoul Duke


1997
Movie: The Brave
Role: Raphael

Movie: Donnie Brasco
Role: Donnie Brasco / Joseph D. 'Joe' Pistone


1995
Movie: Nick of Time
Role: Gene Watson

Movie: Dead Man
Role: William Blake


1994
Movie: Don Juan DeMarco
Role: Don Juan

Movie: Ed Wood
Role: Ed Wood


1993
Movie: What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Role:Gilbert Grape

Movie: Benny & Joon
Role: Sam

Movie: Arizona Dream
Role: Axel Blackmar


1991
Movie: Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare
Role: Guy on TV


1990
Movie: Edward Scissorhands
Role: Edward Scissorhands

Movie: Cry-Baby
Role: Cry-Baby


1987-1990
Tv (71): 21 Jump Street
Role: Officer Tom Hanson


1987
Tv: Hotel
Role: Rob Cameron (1 episode, 1987)


1986
Movie: Platoon
Role: Lerner

Tv: Slow Burn
Role: Donnie Fleischer


1985
Tv: Lady Blue
Role: Lionel Viland

Movie: Private Resort
Role: Jack


1984
Movie: A Nightmare on Elm Street
Role: Glen Lantz


Documentaries:

When You're Strange: A Film About The Doors                    2009 Himself (Narrator)


Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson          2008 Himself


Rock and a Hard Place: Another Night at the Agora              2008 Himself


Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten                                  2007 Himself


BRANDO 2007 Himself


Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride: Hunter S.Thompson on Film  2006 Himself


Deep Sea 3D (IMAX) 2006 Himself (Narrator)


The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg                                  2006 Himself


When the Road Bends: Tales of a Gypsy Caravan               2006 Himself


The Buried Secret of M. Night Shyamalan                           2004 Himself


Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin                        2004 Himself


Lost in La Mancha 2003 Himself / Toby


Breakfast with Hunter                                                         2003 Himself


Lowell Blues: The Words of Jack Kerouac                         2000 Himself (reader)


The Source 1999 Jack Kerouac


Where It's At: The Rolling Stones State of the Union          1998 Himself


United States of Poetry                                                      1996 Himself