When Depp was about 12 years old his mother gave him a guitar and he learned to play. Depp began playing in several garage bands and later dropped out of high school with hopes of becoming a rock musician. A couple of weeks later he tried to go back, but his principle told him he should follow his dreams. Shortly after Depp and the rest of the band named the Kids set out for Los Angeles in pursuit of a record deal, later changing their name to Six Gun Method. Unfortunately, the band split up before landing a record deal. After the Six Gun Method split up Depp worked odd jobs and soon joined another band named Rock City Angeles; Depp co-wrote the song “Mary” that debut on their first album titled Young Mans Blues produced by Geffen Records. In1984 Depp married Lori Anne Allison, a makeup artist and sister of Rock City Angeles’s bass player and singer. During their marriage Depp was introduced to actor Nicolas Cage who convinced him to pursue a career in acting. Depp’s marriage to Allison only lasted until 1985. Afterwards he dated some; well known actress Winona Ryder, world renowned supermodel Kate Moss and a French actress and singer named Vanessa Paridis; whom he is still in a relationship with, together they have two children, a little girl named Lily-Rose Melody Depp and a son named John “Jack” Christopher Depp III.

Of the 13 tattoo’s Depp has some if not all hold great significance of a time in his life, one of a sparrow flying over the water with his son’s name Jack printed underneath it on his right forearm; another for his daughter Lily-Rose over his heart, another on his left bicep reads Betty Sue in honor of his mother.

Depp has had quite an extensive movie career spanning over 2 decades. His first film role was in 1984 cult classic the Nightmare on Elm Street. Soon after he co-starred in the T.V. series 21 Jump Street and quickly became a teen idol. During the T.V. series Depp was in other films: Dummies in 1985, and Oliver Stone’s “Platoon” in 1986. In 1990 Depp starred in Edward Scissor Hands by Tim Burton the success of the film lead to a great actor/director relationship between the two leading to more great movies such as Sleepy Hollow in 1999, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 2005, and Sweeny Todd in 2007. Some other films (but not all) Depp has starred in include Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas in 1998, Finding Neverland in 2004, Pirates of the Caribbean (Curse of the Black Pearl) in 2004, (Dead mans Chest) in 2006 and (At Worlds End) in 2007. Some people say that Depp truly made his mark as one of the best actors of all time after his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean, but I disagree I believe Depp as been on top since he started acting and will continue to be on top until he retires from acting all together. He always brings a commanding presence to the screen with such a tremendous ability to make a person truly believe the role he is playing is real. For example Depp’s role as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean brings forth Depps personality; although he states the character was mainly based on Rolling Stones member Keith Richards, he also based this character on a lot of his own traits as well; I can only assume these traits are his sense of humor and suaveness. I look forward to seeing Depp’s next movie Alice in Wonderland coming out in 2010 where he will play the mad hatter.


WORKS CITED
“Johnny Depp” Wikipedia. 26 June 09 <http://en.wikipedia.com/johnny depp

All Photos were obtained from google.com under image search