Johnny Depp

Born John Christopher Depp II on 9 June 1963 to Betty Sue and John Depp, in Owensboro in Kentucky. He was one of four children,one brother - Danny and half sisters Christy and Debbie.

Johnny's beloved grandfather was a full blooded Cherokee Indian whom Johnny gets his dark good looks from! Although the Depp's considered themselves Cherokee by heritage theres a mix of both German and Irish ancestry. (perhaps would account for later roles in which he plays characters associated with Indians Dead Man or even Finding Neverland!). Johnny describes himself as a 'weird kid, kind of weed head who wanted to be Bruce Lee!'. He once mooned at his teacher which resulted in a suspension, one of his first conflicts with authority.

Johnny moved at least 30 times during his childhood,almost gypsies -as a result Johnny had very few friends and often found he had little in common with other kids. One of his passions is music, the other art. When he was 12 years old his mother bought a second hand guitar for $25. He taught himself guitar and a the age of 13 formed a band called 'Flame'. When he was 16 he quit school he later formed the band 'The Kids'. They did pretty well he supported acts such as The B52's and Talking Heads. He described his music as 'U2 mixed the the Sex Pistols'. When he was 18 he met Iggy Pop, after he supported one of his gigs, Iggy apparently called Johnny a 'Little Turd!', but later admitted he was probably out of his head when Johnny mentioned it when later starred in Cry Baby together. They have remained firm friends to this day.

After a while on the music circuit Johnny got married for the first and only time to date, to makeup artist Lori Ann Allison, in 1983. They split just 2 years later and at that time Johnny made a last ditch attempt for stardom with his band. Lori's old friend - and now widely acclaimed actor - Nick Cage was introduced to Johnny which resulted in his very first acting role in Nightmare on Elm Street. Nick recommended Johnny for the role of the boyfriend of the main character - Nancy's in 1984. The film was an instant hit - and further roles in lesser known movies such as Private Resort and Slow Burn ensued but Johnny was not to acheive global recognition until much later in the 80's starting with a small role in the sucessful Oliver Stone movie 'Platoon' in 1987. Shortly afterwards Johnny was catapulated into the spotlight on TV show '21 Jump Street'. around the same time he joined the band 'Rock Ciry Angels' and cut his first - and only album. Johnny wasnt keen on becoming a media 'commodity' he didnt want to star in the long running show but was advised fby his agents to do it. He was mortified when he became a teen pinup and he finally quit the show in 1988.

In 1989 Johnny was to meet Winona Ryder in what become one of his most profilic relationships. They made the highly successful movie Edward Scissorhands' together. And relationship between its producer - Tim Burton was born. Later he worked with Burton again in such films as Sleepy Hollow, Ed Wood and is shortly to release Willy Wonka in 2005.

Johnny has been engaged many times in several high profile relationships with Jennifer Gray, British Model Kate Moss as well as Winona. The press intrusion into Johnny's personal life caused him a great deal of frustration and a love-hate relationship - especially with the British Paparazzi (which resulted in an arrest after a fight with one of the photographers back in the 90's). He was branded a hell raiser with a hot temper which the press seemed to milk, it seemed they never left him alone, little wonder he frequently 'snapped'.

Johnny has never remarried to date but has been in a happy long term relationship with French actress and singer Vanessa Paradis with whom he has 2 children Lily Rose Melody (born 1999) and Jack (born 2002). His children marked a point where he firmly put the past behind him and gave him some long overdue privacy. Also he moved into new areas (Johnnys own choice of roles had previously been a little unconvenetial). His major recent role was playing Jack Sparrow in a highly succesful Disney movie 'Pirates of the Caribbean' (of which as 2nd film is shortly to follow). He also portayed Pater Pan author's biography J M Barrie in Finding Neverland. He wanted to chose such roles so his children could see some of their father's movies.Hes really proud of the fact that recently his daughter exclaimed 'My daddy is a pirate!'.

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