Johnny Depp turns 52 today, and M-Net Movies wants to wish a very happy birthday to the man who has enthralled and entertained for more than 30 years.
Depp has become the go-to-guy when it comes to the quirky and the kooky, especially in recent years. He is also well known for his collaborations with director Tim Burton, giving rise to a host of memorable characters.
Despite his fondness for the idiosyncratic, he has delivered more sedate, dramatic roles, proving his versatility and range. To celebrate his birthday, and his illustrious career thus far, we decided to take a look at his top five roles. After much umming and ahing, we settled on the following:
1. Edward Scissorhands in Edward Scissorhands (1990)
His first collaboration with Burton, Edward Scissorhands is โthe story of an uncommonly gentle man.โ Even though this role is regarded as one of the quirky ones, Edward has a gentleness and naivety that Depp portrayed with perfect poignancy.
2. Raoul Duke in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
Based on the autobiographical novel by Hunter S. Thompson, the role is memorable not only for Deppโs delightfully anarchic portrayal of Raoul Duke, but the close bond and life-long friendship he formed with Thompson as a result. In order to prepare for the role based on Thompson, Depp moved into the writer's basement, closely observing hisย habits and mannerisms, while poring through manuscripts, mementoes and notebooks.
3. Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean (2003 โ )
In the early 21st century the pirate movie genre had all but sunk. Pirates of the Caribbean showed that swashbuckling could still lead to success, and it was in great part due to the wildly eccentric creation of Captain Jack Sparrow. Depp took a stock supporting role and made it a masterpiece โ even going so far as to be nominated for an Academy Award, a rare feat for a comedic role, and appearing in three sequels.
4. J.M. Barrie in Finding Neverland (2004)
Depp has often proved that along with the crazy and the colourful, he can play more straight-laced characters as well. One of his best is his portrayal of the Scottish playwright behind Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie. His subtle yet emotionally powerful performance landed him his second Oscar nomination.
5. Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Having started as a musician, his role as Sweeney Todd in Tim Burtonโs adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical was destiny. While the role confirmed that his vocal chords were more than up to the task, it was the passion and intensity he placed into the role that makes it one of his standouts.
Do you agree with our top five? Wish the astounding actor a happy birthday by sharing your favourite Johnny Depp role to date and watch him in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl at 17:30 on M-Net Movies Action+ 106.
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