by Johnny Depp has always been known as one of the most talented, yet eccentric actors in Hollywood. He first burst onto the scene in the late 80s on the TV show 21 Jump Street, charming audiences with his good looks and cool demeanor. However, even early on there were signs that Depp was not your typical Hollywood leading man. He has spoken openly over the years about his desire to take on more daring, offbeat roles, rather than just go for mainstream blockbusters. While this maverick approach has led to some remarkable performances, it has also resulted in a rather unpredictable, up-and-down career trajectory. As Depp enters the latter stages of his career, he remains an enigma – capable of stunning acting heights, but also confounding choices.
In a revealing new interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Depp took stock of his eclectic career and opened up about some of his biggest regrets. According to Depp, the “stupidest thing” he ever did was selling his soul to the devil, so to speak, by becoming a successful Hollywood actor. He said when he first started landing major roles, like Cry Baby and Edward Scissorhands, he felt like he was selling out and not staying true to his own values. For Depp, taking the well-trodden path to fame and fortune meant starring in mainstream films that weren’t creatively fulfilling.
“I was just trying to make a living,” Depp told Rolling Stone. “I was young and I was hungry. I didn’t know any better.”
It’s a relatable sentiment that shows Depp’s self-awareness and honesty about his own motivations earlier in his career. Clearly, he took projects like Pirates of the Caribbean and The Tourist more for the paycheck than the challenging work. And while he became one of the most bankable stars in the world during the 2000s, Depp said he now regrets not taking more risks on smaller, independent films.
“I look back now and I see all the opportunities I missed,” Depp said. “I could have been making movies that were more meaningful, that were more important.”
This shift to wanting more substance over style came later in Depp’s career. He started pivoting to working with iconoclast directors like Tim Burton, who shared his offbeat sensibilities. Their collaborations on films like Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, and Sweeney Todd earned Depp massive critical acclaim. He built a reputation as an actor who wholly transforms for provocative roles, often burying his good looks behind elaborate makeup and costumes.
It wasn’t until Depp’s tumultuous split from ex-wife Amber Heard led to his disastrous libel lawsuit against The Sun that the actor says he took full stock of the mistakes he’s made. He told Rolling Stone about how he poured himself into work as a way to avoid dealing with unhappy relationships and other inner turmoil.
“I just worked. That’s the only thing I knew how to do. I had no other tool in the toolbox other than to act. It was the only thing I had been doing my entire life.”
This stunning admission shows Depp’s growth and maturity at age 59. Now with a clearer mindset, he told Rolling Stone he wants to focus on more interesting roles that allow him to disappear into a character. He won praise for this recently playing war photographer W. Eugene Smith in the indie drama Minamata. Depp called projects like that “so much more fulfilling and meaningful” than the blockbusters which made him an international superstar.
“I want to make movies that matter. I want to make movies that people will remember long after I’m gone.”
For years, Johnny Depp’s personal troubles and legal woes have threatened to derail his career. But this wise, introspective interview shows an actor ready for his next chapter. Depp seems to have moved past any mid-life crisis phase and emerged with a renewed sense of purpose. The fact that he has such clarity on past mistakes is a testament to his growth.
All the most legendary actors go through slumps, make poor role choices or stumble in their personal lives. But the greats – Brando, Nicholson, DeNiro – found ways to re-dedicate themselves to the craft of acting in the latter stages of their careers. Based on his comments, it appears Johnny Depp is going down a similar road as he enters his 60s. He seems invigorated by the prospect of disappearing into new eccentric characters, rather than coasting on the flamboyant Jack Sparrow persona.
While I’m sure Depp will still find big paychecks alluring, it’s clear his priority has shifted to seeking roles that satisfy him creatively. That twenty-something actor who rose to stardom on 21 Jump Street is long gone. In his place is a veteran with three decades of experience who wants his legacy to be about quality films, not box office returns or paychecks. For true Depp fans, this commitment to offbeat, provocative work is very exciting.
It will be fascinating to see what iconic directors Depp aligns himself with next. There are still plenty who would leap at the chance to collaborate with an engaged, risk-taking Depp. It may be a case of Depp going full circle – returning to those independent film roots where he first flashed brilliance in the 90s. Regardless of the specific projects he pursues, it’s thrilling to consider what depths Depp can still plumb as an actor.
In closing, I think we can all appreciate Johnny Depp’s honesty in reflecting on past mistakes. It takes great courage and humility to admit one’s failures on such a public platform. We should acknowledge Depp’s personal growth and be enthusiastic about this next act in his career. If he lives up to his word, Depp still has the talent to deliver more legendary performances before he retires. Here’s hoping we see Johnny Depp disappear completely into meaty, off-the-wall roles – where his magnetism first left us in awe.
