Johnny Depp

'Johnny Depp' (qv) is perhaps one of the most versatile actors of his day and age in Hollywood.He was born John Christopher Depp II in Owensboro, Kentucky, on June 9, 1963, to Betty Sue (Wells), who worked as a waitress, and John Christopher Depp, a civil engineer.Depp was raised in Florida. He dropped out of school when he was 15, and fronted a series of music-garage bands, including one named 'The Kids'. When he married Lori Anne Allison ('Lori A. Depp' (qv)) he took a job as a ballpoint-pen salesman to support himself and his wife. A visit to Los Angeles, California, with his wife, however, happened to be a blessing in disguise, when he met up with actor 'Nicolas Cage' (qv), who advised him to turn to acting, which culminated in Depp's film debut in the low-budget horror film, _A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)_ (qv), where he played a teenager who falls prey to dream-stalking demon Freddy Krueger.In 1987 he shot to stardom when he replaced 'Jeff Yagher' (qv) in the role of undercover cop Tommy Hanson in the popular TV series _21 Jump Street (1987)_ (qv).In 1990, after numerous roles in teen-oriented films, his first of a handful of great collaborations with director 'Tim Burton' (qv) came about when Depp played the title role in _Edward Scissorhands (1990)_ (qv). Following the film's success, Depp carved a niche for himself as a serious, somewhat dark, idiosyncratic performer, consistently selecting roles that surprised critics and audiences alike. He continued to gain critical acclaim and increasing popularity by appearing in many features before re-joining with Burton in the lead role of _Ed Wood (1994)_ (qv). In 1997 he played an undercover FBI agent in the fact-based film _Donnie Brasco (1997)_ (qv), opposite 'Al Pacino' (qv); in 1998 he appeared in _Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)_ (qv), directed by 'Terry Gilliam' (qv); and then, in 1999, he appeared in the sci-fi/horror film _The Astronaut's Wife (1999)_ (qv). The same year he teamed up again with Burton in _Sleepy Hollow (1999)_ (qv), brilliantly portraying Ichabod Crane.Depp has played many characters in his career, including another fact-based one, Insp. Fred Abberline in _From Hell (2001)_ (qv). He stole the show from screen greats such as 'Antonio Banderas' (qv) in the finale to 'Robert Rodriguez' (qv)'s "mariachi" trilogy, _Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)_ (qv). In that same year he starred in the marvelous family blockbuster _Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)_ (qv), playing a character that only the likes of Depp could pull off: the charming, conniving and roguish Capt. Jack Sparrow. The film's enormous success has opened several doors for his career and included an Oscar nomination. He appeared as the central character in the 'Stephen King' (qv)-based movie, _Secret Window (2004)_ (qv); as the kind-hearted novelist James Barrie in the factually-based _Finding Neverland (2004)_ (qv), where he co-starred with 'Kate Winslet' (qv); and Rochester in the British film, _The Libertine (2004)_ (qv). Depp collaborated again with Burton in a screen adaptation of 'Roald Dahl' (qv)'s novel, _Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)_ (qv), and later in _Alice in Wonderland (2010)_ (qv) and _Dark Shadows (2012)_ (qv).Off-screen, Depp has dated several female celebrities, and has been engaged to 'Sherilyn Fenn' (qv), 'Jennifer Grey' (qv), 'Winona Ryder' (qv) and 'Kate Moss' (qv). He was married to Lori Anne Allison in 1983, but divorced her in 1985. Depp has two children with French singer/actress 'Vanessa Paradis' (qv): Lily-Rose Melody, born in 1999 and Jack, born in 2002. He married actress/producer 'Amber Heard' (qv) in 2015.::mikedavies86 and Sidhartha Shankar