Mt. Rushmore- Johnny Depp
Between Will Smith & Johnny Depp, I guess I’m dipping my toes into the category of actor that has been slightly controversial in the last few years. Oh well. Let’s take a look at Johnny Depp’s 4 most iconic roles. And let me just reiterate that these are his most iconic roles, not necessarily his best performances. Some honorable mentions I’d like to honorably mention include: Tom Hanson in ‘21 Jump Street,’ Ed Wood in ‘Ed Wood,’ Donnie Brasco in ‘Donnie Brasco,’ Hunter S. Thompson in ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,’ J. M. Barrie in ‘Finding Neverland,’ Sweeney Todd in ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,’ & Rango in ‘Rango.’
Edward Scissorhands in ‘Edward Scissorhands’- Depp’s first major lead film role came in his first of many collaborations with Tim Burton. He played the titular character in ‘Edward Scissorhands’ in what is the duo’s most iconic collab. Playing an artificial humanoid with blades for hands, Depp brings both a coldness & an emotional depth to the role.
Willy Wonka in ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’- Another collaboration with Burton, this may be a hot take. But when you think about iconic characters, Depp has only one that is more iconic than Willy Wonka. Say what you will about his take on the character. Some find it silly, some find it creepy, but it is no doubt iconic.
Gilbert Grape in ‘What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?’- Another one of the Depp’s earlier roles that is also one of his most grounded. Again playing the titular character, Depp brings a very heavy weight to the role of Gilbert. Although most of the praise went to his co-star Leonardo DiCaprio, Depp is worthy of praise as well.
Captain Jack Sparrow in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’- Duh dude. The film that earned Depp his first Oscar nomination (which is absurd for a blockbuster movie), the film was also the first in a series that has grossed over $4.5 billion with Depp at the lead. Few roles are as synonymous with an actor as Captain Jack is with Depp. With all the rumors swirling about potential upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean sequels, reboots, or spin-offs, the filmmakers need not forget that Depp made Sparrow and Sparrow made the franchise.
