Bop, February 1998 – Does Johnny Depp Alone Make 21 Jump Street A Success?
Title: Does Johnny Depp Alone Make 21 Jump Street A Success?
Publication: Bop
Issue: February 1998
During the 1987-88 season of 21 Jump Street, it could have been very easy to mistake Johnny Depp for the star of the show. It seemed like the gorgeous actor was featured in every single episode!
Things have changed in the “new and improved” 1988-89 season of the series! This year, it’s already apparent that the folks in charge of Jump Street want you to know all four main characters (as well as the new guest star) as real people. Not only are you seeing plenty of Johnny as “Tom Hanson,” but you’re also getting a chance to see more of Peter DeLuise (“Doug Penhall”), Dustin Nguyen (“Harry Ioki”) and Holly Robinson (“Judy Hoffs”), along with the show’s newest addition, Richard Grieco, who plays “Dennis Booker”!
But how do the sparkling personalities of 21 Jump Street fit together behind the scenes? You already know that they’re a distinctly diverse group as far as their hometowns and backgrounds go—so what is the glue that holds them together?
First of all, they get along great’. There’s not a trace of jealous rivalry amongst this bunch! There are, however, lots of good times! Johnny and Peter decided they would place pretty Holly to the fun-test when she initially arrived on the set by ambushing her with water guns! She has since armed herself with her own water pistol and keeps the two banditos at bay with her sharp eye and aim!
Even when they’re not up to their wet antics, this cast finds ways to enjoy one another’s company. Richard shares a love for motorcycles with Johnny—both guys are proud of their vintage bikes!
Twenty-four-year-old Holly, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Dustin, who hails from Saigon, Vietnam, have an especially close bond of friendship. As 26-year-old Dustin remarks fondly, “Holly’s my pig-out buddy!” The two are wild about Vietnamese and Chinese food and share a meal whenever they can!
Dustin goes on to reflect, “I have two people up here that I’m really, really close to—one is Holly. She’s almost like a sister to me.” And the other? It’s Dustin’s girlfriend in Vancouver, Canada!
Dustin and Peter also get along because, as Dustin reveals, “Peter is a great guy—his sense of humor just never stops!” In fact, it’s senses of humor that keep Dustin and Peter, as well as Johnny, Holly and Richard so close!
Keeping sane and happy!
This easygoing gang manages to keep each other sane and happy even though they spend months and months away from their homes. All of them moved to Vancouver in order to make the weekly series and they truly have become a second family to each other!
Moreover, these professionals all went through difficult periods during their childhoods. Johnny grew up in an anything-but-wealthy neighborhood in Miramar,