The real individuals who inspired Johnny Depp: “That, for me, is everything”
Johnny Depp has made an entire career out of bucking trends. When he first arrived on the scene, he was very different to the male stars that came before him; manicured, sensitive, embodying elements of both the feminine and highly masculine. As his star grew brighter, he leaned into his eccentric reputation, which only made him more fascinating. However, for every friend he gained, he also gained an enemy.
The star of Chocolat was a constant source of income for the tabloids, as his messy personal life made for great reading. His relationships – with both women and illegal substances – captivated readers, until it reached its extreme conclusion during his highly-publicised trial involving ex-wife Amber Heard. Depp has said he has “no regrets”, but his career hasn’t been the same since.
Just as all of this unpleasantness was coming to the boil, Australian Men’s Health sat down with Captain Jack Sparrow to talk about his life and times thus far. They were particularly interested in how his distinctive image developed over time, which prompted Depp to reflect on his earliest influences.
“The people who inspired me ultimately when I was growing up and watching TV or movies were always individuals. Real individuals, very different types of comedians, entertainers, actors and singers,” he said. “Charlie Callas or Don Rickles, Foster Brooks who did a great drunk impression, Dean Martin, Marlon Brando, Yul Brynner. These were very well-defined and totally unique individuals and that, for me, is everything. They weren’t trying to be like anyone else. They were on their road and it was unique.
“Today’s generation and the generation growing up behind me don’t feel as though they got to witness any of this individuality, these people who were absolutely unique,” he added. “Now everyone just wants to be famous for the sake of being famous. What do you want to be famous for? I don’t know, I don’t care. It’s never been that for me.”
Depp seems to have a real fondness for old-timey comedians, such as Callas, Rickles, or Brooks. Rickles is probably the most famous of the trio, known for his scathing put-downs and hilarious appearances on the talk show circuit. Brooks, as Depp mentioned, cultivated a character of a loveable drunk who would stumble through his routines and flop around on stage to the bemusement of his audience. As for Callas, he’s probably the most unique of Depp’s so-called ‘individuals’. Alongside acting and stand-up, he also found success as a jazz drummer, providing a beat to all-time legends like Buddy Rich and Tommy Dorsey.
The younger star actually got the rare chance to work alongside one of his idols. He shared the bill with Brando as part of an oft-forgotten romcom called Don Juan DeMarco. Depp plays a deluded man who believes himself to be the mythical figure Don Juan, while an ageing Brando plays his psychiatrist. Despite a questionable premise, it actually scored well among critics, and it crucially allowed Depp to learn from one of the all-time greats.
It’s clear from his own actions, both good and bad, that Depp lives by the mantra of the individual. He doesn’t want to be like anybody else, which is fine, because I’m not sure the world could take anybody else like him.
