Johnny Depp is perhaps one of the most versatile actors of his day and age in Hollywood, who has recuperated his image greatly since his portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in the acclaimed Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, with a supporting cast of Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, and Geoffrey Rush.

Though highly successful now, Depp's early life, strangely, was as a rebel, and he took to vandalism and narcotics. He dropped out of school when he was 15, and he fronted a series of music-garage bands, including one named The Kids. However, it was when he married Lori Anne Allison that he took up the job of being a ballpoint-pen salesman to support himself and his wife. A visit to Los Angeles, California, with his wife, however, happened to be a blessing in disguise, when he met up with actor Nicolas Cage, who advised him to turn to acting, which culminated in Depp's film debut in the low-budget horror classic, _Nightmare On Elm Street, A (1984)_ , where he played a teenager who falls prey to dream-stalking demon Freddy Krueger. Three years later, Depp achieved fame as police cop Tom Hanson in the series 21 Jump Street (1987-90), and in 1990, he was firmly established as a leading Hollywood actor with the Tim Burton movie Edward Scissorhands, where he played a sad-faced, tragic hero who has scissors for hands.

From then on, Depp was selective of his choice of roles in movies, and he more often than not played dark, sinister characters on-screen. He played an undercover FBI agent in Donnie Brasco, in which he co-starred with Al Pacino; a druggie in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas; and in two more Tim Burton ventures, Ed Wood and Sleepy Hollow, with Christina Ricci and Casper Van Dien. He is currently filming a fifth Tim Burton film, Corpse Bride, as well as being committed for another Tim Burton production, where he plays Willy Wonka in the upcoming Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, based on the classic children's novel by Roald Dahl..

During his career, Depp has, unfortunately, gotten himself under bad public scrutiny. He was accused of selling drugs at his own club, The Viper Room, in regard to the legendary celebrity, River Phoenix, who died outside the club due to drug overdose in 1993. The following year, Depp was arrested for smashing and trashing a New York suite. And, in 1999, he was arrested in London for being in a fight with paparazzi outside a restaurant.

Although he gained popularity since the success of Edward Scissorhands, Depp wasn't hugely famous for many years until his portrayal of the suave, charming Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in 2003. With the film's enormous success, it has opened several doors for his career and even included an Oscar nomination. He appeared as the central character in the Stephen King-based movie, Secret Window; as the kind-hearted novelist James Barrie in the factually-based Finding Neverland, where he co-starred with Kate Winslet; and most recently as Rochester in the British film, The Libertine.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006): $20,000,000
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005): $18,000,000
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003): $10,000,000
Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the "100 Sexiest Stars in Film History" (#1). [1995] Daughter, with Vanessa Paradis, Lily-Rose Melody Depp. [27 May 1999] Arrested for being in a fight with paparazzis in front of a restaurant in London. [January 1999] Ranked #67 in Empire (UK) magazine's The Top-100 Movie Stars of All Time list. [October 1997] Chosen by People (USA) Magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. [1996] Voted Empire's (UK) Sexiest Male Movie Star of All Time. [1995] Has twice recorded with British band Oasis. Most notably, he plays lead slide guitar on the track "Fade In-Out", from the 1997 album Be Here Now. Noel Gallagher, Oasis's lead guitarist, was allegedly too drunk to perform it himself, so celebrity pal Depp stepped in and nailed the lead on one take. Arrested for trashing a New York apartment. [1994] Ex-fiancées: Sherilyn Fenn, Kate Moss, Jennifer Grey and Winona Ryder. When engaged to Winona Ryder, he had "Winona forever" tattooed on his arm. After the broke up, he had the n and a surgically removed to simply say "Wino forever!" Was the guitarist in a band called The Kids. Currently plays in a band called P. Adopted Goldeneye, the one-eyed Andalusian horse who played Gunpowder, Ichabod Crane's steed in Sleepy Hollow, thereby saving him from the glue factory. Got his "Betty Sue" tattoo May 31, 1988. Named one of E!'s Top 20 Entertainers of 2001. Son, Jack, born to him and Vanessa Paradis on April 10, 2002, in Neuilly, France, weighing just over 7 lbs. Chosen #2 on E!'s 25 sexiest entertainers list With Chuck E. Weiss, Depp reportedly paid US $350,000 for the Central Nightclub in Los Angeles, California, and turned it into the Viper Room at 8852 Sunset Blvd. Other stars in contention to buy the club in 1993 included Arnold Schwarzenegger and, separately, Frank Stallone. Lists British comedy The Fast Show--renamed "Brilliant" for US television--as his favorite TV program of all time. He used to take tapes of the series on tour with him to keep him amused. Made a guest appearance in the last-ever sketch in its last-ever episode. Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine in 2001. Wrote the foreword to Mark Salisbury's biography of Tim Burton, "Burton on Burton." He credits Burton's belief in him for rescuing him from being "a loser, an outcast, just another piece of expendable Hollywood meat." Appears in Tom Petty's 1991 music video "Into the Great Wide Open." Johnny's two children with Vanessa Paradis have the same names of the two main characters in Legend: Lily (b. 1999) and Jack (b.2002). His long-time girlfriend, Vanessa Paradis, is a popular singer-songwriter in her native France, as well as an aspiring actress. Gave Noel Gallagher a white guitar with the letter "P" on it, which he regularly plays during Oasis' gigs. "P" is the name of a band that Depp was in. Has a song about him by the late famed schizophrenic Chicago street artist Wesley Willis. Parents: John Christopher and Betty Sue Palmer. His parents divorced when he was 15. He wanted some of his teeth to be gold-capped for Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl but thought the producers would never agree. He found a dentist and had lots more capped than he wanted. Disney boss Michael Eisner like them but thought there were way too many and told Depp to remove all but a few. Resides in France and Los Angeles. Siblings: Danny (D.P. Depp), Christi Dembrowski, and Debbie. Was People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive in 2003. The building in which Depp's Viper Room is housed was once owned by infamous gangster Bugsy Siegel. Chosen as E!'s 2003 Entertainer of the Year. According to the liner notes for the soundtrack CD of Once Upon a Time in Mexico, he wrote his own theme music, the music for Sands (Track 9 on the CD). Shot all of his scenes in nine days for Once Upon a Time in Mexico, but after his filming was done he didn't want to leave. So he suggested to Robert Rodriguez that he play a small part, the priest that Antonio Banderas talks to in the church, and use his Marlon Brando impression. Reportedly based his portrayal of Ichabod Crane in _Sleepy Hollow (1999)_ on Withnail, from _Withnail and I (1987)_ , as played by Richard E. Grant. Has been in six films in which the title contains the name of the character he plays: Edward Scissorhands, Cry-Baby, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Ed Wood, Don Juan DeMarco, and Donnie Brasco. Persuaded actor Rey-Phillip Santos to give acting a try. Received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 19 November 1999. Tim Burton and Martin Landau were guest speakers. Has a niece, Megan: she works for popular online entertainment magazine TYCP. Was ranked #5 on VH1's 100 Hottest Hotties. Based the character of Captain Jack Sparrow on rock legend Keith Richards. Shares a birthday with Michael J. Fox and Natalie Portman. Purchased Bela Lugosi's Los Angeles home. Sports his son's name, Jack, tattooed on his arm and a beaded bracelet made by his daughter Lily Rose. Is hugely interested in Jack the Ripper. Ranked #4 in TV Guide's list of TV's 25 Greatest Teen Idols (23 January 2005 issue). Has something in common with actor Robert Englund, famed for portraying dream-stalking Freddy Krueger in the "Nightmare on Elm Street" movies. Both of them appeared in the first A Nightmare on Elm Street, and both had played characters with blades for hands: Englund as Freddy Krueger, and Depp as the title character in Edward Scissorhands. And, strangely, both of them were born in June, with their birthdays three days apart, and they share the same height, which is 5' 10". A movie buff (with a somewhat encyclopedic knowledge of older films), he admits he watches few movies any more, other than the children's films that his "kiddies" prefer. He also enjoys most of them. Loves watching animated films with his daughter such as Shrek and Finding Nemo. Co-owns a restaurant/club in Paris called Man Ray (named after avant-garde artist Man Ray) with Sean Penn and John Malkovich. The restaurant is located in a renovated theater and serves Tibetan cuisine. Premiere Magazine ranked him as #47 on a list of the Greatest Movie Stars of All Time in their Stars in Our Constellation feature (2005). When he was cast as Willy Wonka in _Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)_ , many newspapers published headings about "Depp's Willy" and "Deppy's Willy is a Bit Wonkier". Apparently conceived his portrayal of Edward D. Wood Jr. as a cross between Ronald Reagan (the wobbly-headed thing), the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz, and the voice of Casey Kasem. Dropped out of high school at 16 to pursue a career as a musician. As a teen, he and his band "The Kids" performed for Iggy Pop. As a child, he was allergic to chocolate. In 2004, Renée Zellweger accepted the Screen Actors Guild Award for "Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role" on his behalf, because he wasn't present at the awards ceremony Learned French to be able to converse with Vanessa Paradis' parents. He also played slide for an acoustic recording of Fade Away, recorded in 1995 for the War Child: Help album. Had come into professional contact with the great screen villains Vincent Price and Christopher Lee. Price co-starred with Depp in Edward Scissorhands, and Lee co-starred with him in Sleepy Hollow, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Corpse Bride. Oddly, all of them were Tim Burton films. Great admirer of Marlon Brando. Although unable to attend, he was awarded the Gary Cooper Spirit of Montana Award at the 2005 HatcH audiovisual festival in Bozeman, Montana. HatcH honored Depp for his outstanding career and his role as a mentor and inspiration to young and aspiring artists. Has portrayed a real-life character in seven films: Edward D. Wood Jr. in Ed Wood, Lt. Victor/Pon Pon in Before Night Falls, Hunter S. Thompson in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Insp. Fred Abberline in From Hell, Joseph Pistone/Donnie Brasco in Donnie Brasco, George Jung in Blow and J.M. Barrie in Finding Neverland. Sherilyn Fenn's name is scrawled across his helmet in Platoon. His parents divorced when he was 15. He has said in interviews that he is of Cherokee, Irish, and German descent, with some Navajo as well. Asked the origin of his last name by James Lipton on Inside the Actors Studio, Johnny Depp said his name means "idiot" in German. Was listed as a potential nominee on the 2006 Razzie Award nominating ballot. He was suggested in the Worst Actor category for his performance in the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, however, he failed to receive a nomination. His ownership of the Viper room ended in 2004, he signed it over to Amanda Fox, the daughter of his missing partner in the club, Anthony Fox. Was voted the Second Greatest Actor (behind Marlon Brando) in British Channel Channel 4's Greatest Actor Poll. His performance as Edward Scissorhands in _Edward Scissorhands (1990)_ is ranked #22 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006). His performance as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is ranked #79 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006). Friend of Christina Ricci. Reportedly based his portrayal of Ichabod Crane in _Sleepy Hollow (1999)_ on Withnail, from Withnail & I, as played by Richard E. Grant. Ranked #1 in the "Best Hollywood Signers 2006" list by "Autograph Collector" magazine (May 2006). Was close with his grandfather who died when he was 7 years old. His performance as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is ranked #87 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time (2006). His performance as Edward Scissorhands in _Edward Scissorhands (1990)_ is ranked #65 on Premiere Magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time. Ranked #18 on Premiere's 2006 "Power 50" list. Had ranked #23 in 2005. A rule he has towards fans requesting his autograph and picture is that no photography is allowed of his children. Is the only actor to be nominated for the Oscar in the Lead Actor category in a Disney film (_Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)_ ) Moved to a villa in France with girlfriend Vanessa Paradis and his daughter Lily Rose Melody Depp in 1999. Frequently cites Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl) and Edward Scissorhands as the favorite characters that he has played. Oliver Stone seriously considered casting him in Charlie Sheen's role in Platoon, but the studio thought Depp was "too young." Sheen is actually two years younger than Depp! Was Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski's very first choice for the role of "Neo" in The Matrix. Since Depp wasn't considered a box-office friendly name, Warner Bros. decided on casting Keanu Reeves instead. Has been described as the "jester of cinema, the Method clown." His incredibly bizarre on-screen persona brings to mind the off-screen behavior of the late Marlon Brando, who was famously eccentric and quirky once he retired from acting. Has a niece called Megan Once painted on a billboard featuring his 21 Jump Street character because he didn't like his picture or the message the billboard gave. He was stopped by a security guard who actually let him finish what he was doing when he realized it was Johnny's own face. _Sweeney Todd (2007)_ will be the sixth time that Depp and Tim Burton work together. The other five being Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride, Sleepy Hollow, Ed Wood and Edward Scissorhands. He was good friends with Hunter S. Thompson until his death. Depp helped to fulfill Thompson's last wish after the writer died. Thompson wanted his remains to be shot out of a 150 foot long canon. Born in Kentucky but moved to Florida at age 7. He is the youngest of 4 children. Has admitted in interviews that one of his favorite pastimes is watching cartoons (especially Dave The Barbarian of whom he is a big fan) with his children. Named after his father John Christopher Depp. Was considered for the role of Florentino Ariza in Love in the Time of Cholera, but director Mike Newell refused to work with big name Hollywood stars. Javier Bardem got the role instead. Owns a customised 1960's 650cc Triumph Bonneville motorcycle. Moved to a villa in France with girlfriend Vanessa Paradis and his daughter Lily Rose Melody Depp in 1999. Has 2 silver teeth. Originally cast as John Smith in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, but turned it down after being overworked with other movies he was shooting. Is a great admirer and good friend of Tom Baker. His children have the same names as "Mad" Jack and Lilly the Mermaid from the movie Magic Island. Was engaged to Sherilyn Fenn, whom he met on the set of the 1985 short student film "Dummies" directed by Laurie Frank. Their engagement was broken off after three years and a half.