Johnny Depp biography, age, young photos, Amber Heard trial, net worth, wife, children 2025

Johnny Depp – Biography

Johnny Depp is an actor, whose name has become synonymous with eccentric and unconventional roles. Making his debut in the horror film "A Nightmare on Elm Street," he never planned on becoming a professional actor – but fate had other plans. Today, Johnny Depp stands as one of Hollywood's most original and recognizable actors. Approximately net worth: $150 million.

Johnny Depp, one of the most unordinary actors

Childhood and Family

John Christopher "Johnny" Depp II's father, who shared his son's name, was a civil engineer. The actor's mother, Betty Sue Palmer, had worked as a waitress for 14 years. Before she met Johnny's father, she'd already been married and had two children, Debbie and Daniel. Johnny Depp has one sister named Christy.

Johnny Depp's mom was half Indian. Her father belonged to the tribe of the Cherokee. Johnny's beloved grandfather Jim was a full-blooded Irishman. The actor's family tree also includes German ancestry.

Johnny Depp's native town is Owensboro, Kentucky. But his parents were constantly on the move. By the time he was fifteen, he'd already lived in several towns and more than a dozen homes. As the actor once said, the family even moved to the house next door. His parents just couldn't stand staying in one place.

It is difficult to name Johnny Depp's childhood happy. His mother was a tough woman. She worked long hours at a roadside cafe to feed the kids. "Mom swore like a sailor, played cards, and smoked," Johnny recalled. His father drank a lot in his spare time. When drunk, he regularly beat his wife and children. To make matters worse, Grandpa Jim died when Johnny was just 9. Losing his beloved grandfather finally pushed the boy over the edge. He started fighting with his parents. At 12, he started smoking and drinking. At 13, he became sexually active.

In 1978, Johnny Depp's parents divorced. This only made things worse. The fifteen-year-old started experimenting with drugs. As a result, he was expelled from school. But this didn't bother him – he'd already said goodbye to education and was ready to live life on his own terms.

Youth: Musician Career and the First Movie Roles

At 12, Johnny got his hands on a cheap $25 electric guitar. It was a gift from his mom. He mastered the instrument on his own. When his parents divorced, he moved into his friend Sal's car in protest. He also started performing with garage band Young and Modern. He made his living from nightclub gigs. Over the next four years, he went through 14 different bands. The future star also worked construction jobs.

According to Zoomboola.com, at 20, he joined The Kids, a punk band with a cult following. Once Iggy Pop heard their performance. After that, he invited them to open for him at his concert.

This put Johnny Depp on the local music map. Soon he got involved with 25-year-old makeup artist Lori Anne Allison. It was she, who introduced the future celebrity to Nicolas Cage. He was three years younger than Depp. However, he'd already appeared in Francis Ford Coppola's "Rumble Fish" and other films. So he had the experience to spot acting potential in the rebellious, rowdy Johnny.

Johnny Depp and Nicolas Cage are old friends

Cage introduced Depp to his agent, who took the musician to audition for the film «A Nightmare on Elm Street». Johnny expected a small cameo at most, but the directors had other plans. Impressed by Johnny's natural screen presence, they decided Depp had all the right details for their character, right down to the yellow nicotine stains on his fingers that made him feel "real."

Johhny Depp first role (A Nightmare on Elm Street)

As a result, Johnny got the role of Glen, one of the main protagonists of the story. However, he had no plans to become a professional actor; he thought the horror movie would be a springboard for his music career.

Released in 1984, «A Nightmare on Elm Street» was a breakthrough, and Johnny Depp drew the attention of other Hollywood figures. He immediately accepted an offer for the teen comedy "Private Resort." This film required his first nude scene.

Johnny Depp about his childhood

Later, the actor appeared in episodes of TV series "Hotel" and "Lady in Blue," hoping to save enough money to produce his own album. He also played a small role as Donnie Fleischer in Eric Roberts' "Slow Burn." But acting was starting to hook him. Eventually, he used his earnings for acting classes.

This gesture may have landed him a role in Oliver Stone's war drama "Platoon." He desperately wanted the lead role, but the director felt the newcomer wasn't ready for that kind of responsibility. He gave this role to Charlie Sheen. Depp had to settle for a supporting role as Private Lerner. Alas, almost all scenes with his participation were cut during the final editing. By Murphy's law, "Platoon" earned eight Oscar nominations in 1987, winning exactly half of them.

Depp learned about casting for the new teen TV series "21 Jump Street" when he returned to Florida from filming "Platoon" in the Philippines. Johnny aced the audition and became one of four undercover cops solving crimes in high school settings. The series was a hit, and within months of the premiere, Depp was literally running from screaming teenage fans. However, he found his "teen idol" status suffocating.

«Jump 21 street» made Johnny Depp famous

So he gladly accepted an offer from cult filmmaker John Waters, whom he'd met on the "21 Jump Street" set. Waters cast Depp as the lead in his campy musical "Cry-Baby." The character - a handsome rebel named Cry-Baby - was the complete opposite of his TV persona.

In 1989, Johnny Depp's luck finally changed. Tim Burton chose him for the lead role in the movie «Edward Scissorhands». The role attracted major talent, including Tom Cruise, Robert Downey Jr., and Jim Carrey. The fantasy drama quickly launched Johnny Depp to Hollywood's A-list. The film also brought Winona Ryder into his life - they dated for over four years.

The film also marked the beginning of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp's friendship. Their collaboration would give the world films like "Sleepy Hollow," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Sweeney Todd," "Dark Shadows," and other memorable works from this creative partnership. Make that a trio. Helena Bonham Carter became a regular in Burton's films and quickly befriended Depp.

Johnny Depp, Tim Barton and Helena Bonham Carter

Career Peak

After the premiere of «Edward Scissorhands,» Johnny Depp's star power skyrocketed. He was no longer just a soap opera heartthrob. Top-tier directors started pursuing him, including even Emir Kusturica. Kusturica cast Johnny in the lead role of his new film «Arizona Dream.»

Next came his pairing with Mary Masterson in the touching melodrama «Benny & Joon,» followed by working alongside a teenage Leonardo DiCaprio, then another Tim Burton collaboration with the biographical film «Ed Wood,» and Jim Jarmusch's western «Dead Man.» This prolific period also brought two collaborations with the legendary Marlon Brando: «Don Juan deMarco» and «The Brave.» «The Brave» also marked Johnny Depp's directorial debut.

Young Johnny Depp and Leonardo Dicaprio (What's Eating Gilbert Grape?)

Depp then entered what could be called his «crime thriller» phase. In the thriller «Nick of Time,» he played a mild-mannered accountant forced into violence. In «Donnie Brasco,» he starred as a young FBI agent working undercover as an assistant to an aging mobster, masterfully portrayed by Al Pacino.

«Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas»

This image instantly comes to mind for most fans when discussing Johnny Depp's truly iconic roles. The screen adaptation of infamous writer Hunter S. Thompson's novel didn't achieve commercial success, but it secured its place in cinema history forever.

The actor read this book at age 15. He read it alongside the works of Jack Kerouac. It left an indelible impression on the teenager. Johnny met the author in 1994. He was immediately struck by his openness and extravagance, bordering on madness. When Terry Gilliam decided to film the acclaimed book about the adventures of Dr. Gonzo and Raoul Duke, the writer called Depp and asked: «Will you play me in a movie about Las Vegas? Should be good anyway».

The hallucinogenic adventures of Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro were nominated for the Palme d'or at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. However, the jury members, including Depp's ex-girlfriend Winona Ryder, awarded the prize to an independent work by Greek filmmaker Theo Angelopoulos.

For several months, Johnny Depp lived in Hunter's home to understand the role. During this time, their collaboration on the project blossomed into a strong friendship. It was so strong that after the writer's death, Johnny Depp paid for an expensive funeral of a friend (Hunter wanted his ashes shot from a giant cannon), paid all his debts, and became the producer of the film «The Rum Diary» based on Thompson's novel of the same name, in which he also played the lead role.

At the turn of the new millennium, several very dark pictures with Johnny Depp featuring were released. First, the actor appeared in Roman Polanski's mystical thriller «The Ninth Gate». Then, he starred in the previously mentioned «Sleepy Hollow» by Burton. In 2001, the world saw the horror film «From Hell», where Johnny appeared in the image of inspector Frederick Abberline, a brilliant detective, always staying under the influence of opium fumes.

Sleepy Hollow trailer

In 2000, Johnny Depp took part in an independent film project «Before Night Falls» by Julian Schnabel. The film was shot on the memoirs of Cuban poet Reynaldo Arenas. Depp was given two supporting roles: he played an inmate transvestite and the jailer, which was a sadist. The role of Arenas was played by Spanish actor Javier Bardem. The picture was shot in two months under the scorching Mexican sun. However, Depp didn't take a penny for the work out of respect for Arenas. The same Sean Penn did, involved in the project.

In 2001, the big screen showed one of the most successful works of Johnny Depp in the opinion of many critics. It was a drama «Blow», based on real events. In these two hours, director Ted Demme showed the entire life journey of drug dealer George Jung, an associate of the notorious Pablo Escobar. Depp approached this role so seriously that before filming, he personally visited George Jung's prison cell and spent several days one-on-one with him.

Captain Jack Sparrow

By the early 2000s, Johnny Depp starred in more than thirty films. None of them were panned by critics. However, the actor was unofficially dubbed Hollywood's «iconic loner». The major studios were frustrated that Depp ignored commercial expectations, choosing only the roles he liked. Independent projects were what mostly caught the actor's interest.

However, a new large-scale Disney project, specifically the character of Jack Sparrow, genuinely piqued the actor's curiosity. Initially, he was not supposed to be the protagonist of the picture. He was introduced to play off the violent temper of Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush). However, when Johnny landed the role over other serious contenders (Christopher Walken and Michael Keaton), the storyline of boozy Jack transformed from a minor part into the lead role.

25 great Jack Sparrow quotes

This is a testament to Johnny Depp, who had a very sensitive feel for what his character should be. He worked extensively on Sparrow's character, borrowing many habits and elements from Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. Moreover, each of the beads in dreadlocks and marks on the skin had its history!

Disney paid $10 million for Captain Jack Sparrow alone. Meantime, they spent $140 million for the shooting. Another $40 million they spent on advertising. However, the pirate blockbuster's success more than tripled their investment. In 2004, the film received five nominations for Oscar, including the category The Best Male Role, which was, of course, presented to Johnny Depp.

In 2006, the sequel's second installment rolled out the red carpet, grossing over a billion dollars. A year later, viewers saw the third and the final episode. However, in 2011, screens showed «Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides» without Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley. These actors said that they grew out of these characters. However, Johnny Depp has agreed to shoot even before the script was written.

Between «Pirates» films, Depp kept busy with other projects. First was Terry Gilliam's fantasy film «The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus», Heath Ledger's final acting role. Johnny Depp gave his fee for shooting to the daughter of the late actor.

His next film was radically different from Gilliam's mystery. It was a criminal biopic «Johnny D.» about the legendary robber John Dillinger and his confrontation with FBI agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale). Incidentally, Depp brought charming French actress Marion Cotillard to the film. In December 2010, the audience could enjoy the brilliant duo of Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie in the thriller «The Tourist».

Further Career

In 2011, Gore Verbinski, who directed the first three «Pirates of the Caribbean» films, delivered the animated feature «Rango». Johnny Depp voiced the main character, a pet chameleon, who finds himself stranded in the desert.

Chameleon Rango was voiced by Johnny Depp

In 2013, Johnny Depp transformed into a Native American warrior in «The Lone Ranger». His flamboyant performance earned him a Golden Raspberry nomination alongside Adam Sandler and Sylvester Stallone, a frequent Razzie "winner". Audiences were left wondering: "Why is Johnny Depp wearing a dead crow on his head?"

From that point on, Johnny Depp's films started receiving lukewarm receptions. The same fate was waiting for the film «Transcendence» released in 2014. With audiences already oversaturated by cyberpunk films, the public didn't embrace director Wally Pfister's visual experiment, a former operator of Christopher Nolan.

Critics argued that post-«Pirates», Depp had lost some of his unique spark. This theory seemed confirmed with the release of «Mortdecai», where he played a scheming art dealer opposite his wife, played by Gwyneth Paltrow. The film earned Depp two more Razzie nominations: Worst Actor and Worst Screen Combo ("Johnny Depp and his ridiculous mustache").

The Mad Hatter surprise

Following this flop, Depp's first "serious" role in years came with the biographical drama «Black Mass». The actor performed the mobster Whitey Bulger, whose name has not yet had time to be forgotten by the people of Boston. The film earned strong critical praise. It marked Depp's successful comeback. He and «Sherlock» star Benedict Cumberbatch, who played Bulger's brother, managed to elevate the weak script.

In 2016, Johnny Depp appeared in Kevin Smith's comedy «Yoga Hosers», which starred his daughter in the lead role.

Yoga Horses Trailer

That May saw the release of «Alice Through the Looking Glass», the sequel to «Alice in Wonderland», with Mia Wasikowska reprising her starring role. Once again, Depp returned as the Mad Hatter.

Johnny Depp – Private Life

Legends surround the number of women in Johnny Depp's romantic history. Over the years, his charisma and striking looks attracted dozens of women, but none of them committed to a life with the actor.

Johnny Depp first got married at age 20. His choice was a make-up artist Lori Anne Allison, who was 5 years older than him. They lived together for two years until breaking up in 1985.

Some time later, Depp had a new girlfriend, actress Jennifer Grey. However, the love affair ended before it really began; the same fate awaited Sherilyn Fenn, Depp's colleague on «21 Jump Street».

In 1989, the actor was dating 16-year-old Winona Ryder, who captivated the actor with her soft, doll-like features. Their relationship was cloudless, Depp even had a tattoo on his forearm «Winona forever». The peace was shattered by tabloid journalists who constantly wrote about alleged affairs involving both Depp and Ryder. The young actress couldn't ignore the dirty gossip that's all too familiar to Hollywood residents. In May 1993, the couple split, and Depp's tattoo transformed into «Wine forever».

A year later, Depp stopped at the cafe for a cup of coffee. A world-famous supermodel sat at a nearby table with friends. It was the infamous Kate Moss. After a week of dating, they made their public debut as a couple.

Johnny Depp and Kate Moss's relationship was a goldmine for paparazzi and tabloids. Both stars were known for their volatile temperaments, love of wild antics, and struggles with alcohol and drugs. Their passionate temperaments found each other. The shocking couple was constantly caught in the lenses of photographers and looked very happy.

In September 1994, guests at New York's Mark Hotel witnessed chaotic mayhem - shouting, crashing furniture, and chairs flying out windows. The scandal ended when police led a dejected Johnny Depp away in handcuffs. The reason for the arrest was a quarrel with Kate Moss. It was the first in a long series of explosive fights.

In 1998, Kate and Johnny split for good. The official cause of the rupture was not named. However, Depp has repeatedly said that he was grateful to the girl for four years together.

That same year, Depp met French actress Vanessa Paradis on the set of «The Ninth Gate». The actor moved to an apartment in the Paris suburbs, bought a mansion in Saint-Tropez, and got his act together for her. Depp seemed to transform into a devoted family man, focusing all his energy on raising his children, the firstborn Lilly Rose Melody and son Jack. Depp's daughter has followed in her parents' footsteps. She inherited her mother's beauty and her father's acting talent. She made her debut in the Kevin Smith picture «Tusk» and starred together with Johnny in another picture «Yoga Hosers».

Vanessa Paradis and Johnny Depp has two kids

However, after 14 years together, Depp left Vanessa for actress Amber Heard, whom he met on the set of the film «The Rum Diary». He wasn't initially drawn to the young beauty's looks. He was impressed by her intelligence and education. Plus, he discovered that Amber was passionate about blues music. In February 2015, they exchanged wedding vows.

Johnny Depp daughter – Lily-Rose Melody Depp

However, in May 2016, after a year of marriage, Amber Heard filed for divorce. The cause of the quarrel was «irreconcilable differences». The documents were filed on May 26 – three days after the death of Depp's mother.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard broke up in May, 2016

In Spring 2019 media told about a new actor's beloved. The lucky one was Polina Glen, Russian go-go dancer living in the US. They dated for about six months. Afterward, Polina admitted she hated all the attention that came with being Depp's girlfriend.

Johnny Depp Now

In recent years, Johnny Depp has devoted more time to his music supergroup "The Hollywood Vampires," where Alice Cooper and Joe Perry also play. The last album "Rise" was released in 2019.

Hollywood Vampires - «Whole Lotta Love»

He acts in films less frequently. He plays Colonel Joll in the Italian film "Waiting for the Barbarians" along with Robert Pattinson. In 2021, audiences were set to see him as young Grindelwald in the third installment of "Fantastic Beasts."

Due to Amber Heard's domestic violence allegations, Johnny was removed from the role of young Grindelwald in the third "Fantastic Beasts" film. His character was eventually played by Mads Mikkelsen.

When it came to the trial with his ex-wife, public sympathy was firmly on Johnny's side. He presented evidence in court that she was the aggressor in their relationship. For example, an audio recording in which the actor asks why Amber beat him, to which she replies that she did not beat him, but "just gave a good slap in the face" and "you're okay, no one beat you, I just hit you."

The beginning of 2022 was dominated by the actor's libel trial with Amber Heard, which eventually came to an end. The actress was caught lying multiple times. For example, she claimed that Depp was a cocaine addict and presented a picture showing a table with perfectly arranged lines of powder as evidence. Previously, Amber had claimed that Depp was a heavy smoker, so the judge found it suspicious that there was only one unlit cigarette in the ashtray, which suggested the photo was staged. And there were many similar inconsistencies.

Johnny Depp WINS Defamation Lawsuit Against Amber Heard

The jury ruled that Amber was guilty of defamation and should pay her ex-username $15 million (although Depp originally sought $50 million). However, Depp was also ordered to pay Heard $2 million for libel, as she had filed a substantial counterclaim. But in the public's eyes, who greeted news of Johnny's victory with applause, he had definitively won.

In May 2023, Depp received a seven-minute standing ovation at the premiere of the French film "Jeanne du Barry," in which he portrayed King Louis XV. This marks his first significant role following the scandal incited by his divorce proceedings. In the meantime, he has announced that he has no plans to return for the sixth installment of "Pirates of the Caribbean."

Johnny Depp: latest news and articles

Johnny Depp Opens Up About His Firing from "Fantastic Beasts"

8 Jul 2025

Orlando Bloom admits he wants to return to the role of Will Turner — it's just a matter of the script

11 Jun 2025

Johnny Depp`s ex-wife Amber Heard has become a mother twice. She gave birth to twins

12 May 2025

Johnny Depp returns to Hollywood. The first still from the new movie has been released

16 Apr 2025

Gloria Walker

Johnny Depp is kind of a bad guy with who mothers prohibit to hang out with. But he is like a cocktail of talent, charisma and bad habits.

2021-04-27 10:03:17
Owen Hayden Reed

Pity that in recent years there are no worthwhile films with Johnny Depp. On the other hand I like old films with him. Before he was really talented but now I guess he is busy with something else

2021-04-15 17:32:07
Sarah Kennedy

Johnny is so talented, he is an actor, singer, musician and it`s incalculable but his personal life is a mess in his age!

2021-04-03 15:18:48
Blake Jack Garcia

I think that Depp made `Pirates` great because of his sense of humor and skills. Other characters in this movie are not so charming.

2021-04-02 21:30:44
Renee Martin

I love all the movies with Johnny (even bad ones). He is unreal and cosmic!

2021-03-02 08:06:42

Photos: Johnny Depp