Since his acting debut in 1984, Johnny Depp has proven himself to be a talented actor who brings dark, quirky, offbeat characters to life in memorable, unique ways. But Depp’s range goes far beyond the dark and offbeat. He’s brought to life characters from a wide array of backgrounds and genres with their own personalities and stories.
Even in his early days of acting, he’s hinted at his award-winning abilities, showcasing characters that make us feel and feel deeply. From his early days to the present, these are 10 characters Depp has portrayed that display his talent and why so many adore this actor.
1. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
In one of his earliest roles, Depp portrayed the well-known character Edward Scissorhands in the movie of the same name. He starred alongside Winona Ryder and Dianne Wiest as the creation of an inventor who completed everything but Edward’s hands before dying — leaving him with scissors for hands. He had lived most of his life in solitude, but the movie’s events begin to unfold when he makes his way into a new community. This dark, romantic story highlights Depp’s ability to transform into characters of innocence with a complex history and storied past that pull at our heartstrings.
2. Raoul Duke (1998)
In another early but less-celebrated work, Depp played Raoul Duke in the film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. This character is a young journalist who heads out to Vegas, home to too many casinos that are household names the same way DraftKings is a household name today, with his friend and attorney, Dr. Gonzo. Along the way, the two experience many crazy, psychedelic-fueled escapades that fall under the idea “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” The result is a surprising comedy-adventure movie that puts Depp in a unique and entertaining role, helping to establish him as a skillful actor capable of portraying a wide range of characters.
3. Ichabod Crane (1999)
Considered by some reviewers to be a “gothic masterpiece,” Sleepy Hollow sees Depp take on the character Ichabod Crane, a constable investigating multiple murders in the remote town of Sleepy Hollow. This character stands apart from the others Depp has portrayed. Crane has a nervous disposition and a logical mind that turns to science and philosophy through the plot.
4. Captain Jack Sparrow (2003, 2006, 2007, 2011, & 2017)
Perhaps his most eccentric and playful character, and certainly his most well-known, Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean series showcases Depp’s playful, mischievous side and physical comedy capabilities. In the role, he dashes across the screen with arms flailing, often stumbles, and slurs his speech thanks to Captain Jack’s penchant for rum — creating an entertaining and somehow endearing character. Luckily for fans of this character, he’s portrayed this role in five separate films, delivering action-packed adventures and plenty of comic relief.
5. Willy Wonka (2005)
In the remake of the classic movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Depp takes on the well-known role of Willy Wonka, a quirky chocolatier with an insatiable sweet tooth. His role stands apart from Gene Wilder’s with more edge and mystery. Still, it brings this story to life in a fun and memorable way while establishing Depp as a skilled actor in bringing iconic characters of children’s literature to life.
6. Mad Hatter (2005 & 2016)
In another childhood classic recreated, Depp took on the Alice in Wonderland character, the Mad Hatter. The Mad Hatter has a tragic backstory and unpredictable personality with emotions that are showcased in dramatic and theatrical ways. Depp portrays the extreme sadness and anger alongside the intense happiness and positivity of the character, displaying his emotional range and depth within a single character.
7. Sweeney Todd (2007)
This role in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street earned Depp a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical. This role and movie stand out for a few reasons, but the biggest is the unlikely union of horror and musical genres. Alongside Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman, Depp delivered the story of a man wrongfully convicted who is out seeking revenge. The film showcased a musical talent in Depp that many may not have expected.
8. Alexander Pearce (2010)
In this divergence from fantasy characters like the Mad Hatter, Alexander Pearce in The Tourist puts Depp in a role alongside Angelina Jolie as an American tourist who is awkward and frequently described as mild-mannered. It’s a unique role for Depp that doesn’t focus on his dark and quirky acting capabilities.
9. Rango (2011)
This role showed off Depp’s voice-acting capabilities. The Nickelodeon film is an action-adventure children’s comedy with an old-west theme that follows Rango, a chameleon, trying to survive in the harsh desert climate and rough and tough community. The character of Rango is goofy, chaotic, and way out of his element — and Depp voices it perfectly.
10. Grindelwald (2016 & 2018)
Depp’s acting capabilities even earned him a role in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. In the film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, he portrayed Grindelwald, the villainous wizard preceding Voldemort. Grindelwald believed wizards were superior to muggles and was set in his path to keep wizards above and separate from muggles. The role drew on his ability to portray dark characters in a new setting and genre for his acting prowess.
Depp’s Adept at Horror, Comedy, and Everything in Between
While these ten roles show a broad range in Depp’s acting abilities throughout his career, they by no means represent all his roles, as he’s been in dozens of movies. But there’s no argument that Johnny Depp has an incredible range as an actor. Who knows what he’ll bring to the film industry next.
