As a Hollywood A-lister, Johnny Depp is anything but conventional. Where most leading men find themselves in romantic dramas, Depp’s eccentricity and talent for character acting have seen him portray a swaying, Keith Richards-inspired pirate, a man with scissors for hands, and a madman in a ludicrous hat, among other unique roles.
Depp’s nonconformity also reveals itself in his complex relationship with Hollywood. Despite his innate talent for the big screen, Depp’s first passion was rock music. Only after his friend Nicolas Cage advised him to pursue acting did his aspirations change. In his first interview with Entertainment Tonight in 1988, a 24-year-old Depp bluntly said he did not like Hollywood, although he later spoke fondly of his experiences on ’21 Jump Street’ and working with Oliver Stone on the acclaimed 1986 film ‘Platoon.’
In a January 1991 interview with Tom Burke of Cosmopolitan, Depp discussed his thoughts on Hollywood life and his relationship with his ‘Edward Scissorhands’ co-star Winona Ryder. Depp echoed Marlon Brando’s sentiment that “everybody acts every day, every second,” and criticized the film industry’s obsession with TV ratings and Oscars.
Though his early roles in ‘Cry-Baby’ and ‘Jump Street’ made him a pin-up star, Depp felt more at home working with Tim Burton on ‘Edward Scissorhands.’ He described the script as one of the best things he had ever read but doubted he had a chance to get the role, believing a star like Tom Cruise would be preferred.
Financially stable at this point in his career, Depp focused on the quality of his work. He emphasized maintaining integrity and being proud of his projects, rather than pursuing commercial success. Depp expressed a desire to take on more character roles as he aged, criticizing the industry’s tendency to typecast young actors as leading men.
Later in the conversation, Depp addressed his “Winona Forever” tattoo, showing his old-fashioned belief in lasting love, even though his relationship with Ryder ended in 1993. Reflecting on his future if his acting career fell through, Depp humorously suggested he could become John Waters’s gardener or perform in Las Vegas lounges.
Throughout his career, Depp has maintained his dedication to unique, character-driven roles, setting himself apart in Hollywood with his unconventional choices and steadfast integrity.
