Five Iconic Johnny Depp Roles in the Movies

Johnny Depp has an acting resume full of diverse role choices. Each character he has portrayed is unique and becomes a well-crafted addition to the legacy of one of the greatest actors of his generation. In this article I will be taking a closer look at my five favorite Johnny Depp roles.

Sweeney Todd

I went into the movie Sweeney Todd only vaguely familiar with its storyline and not at all familiar with the musical, so I was very surprised and entertained by the film. Johnny Depp plays the title character in Sweeney Todd (the Demon Barber of Fleet Street). His character is a man driven by revenge. Sweeney Todd wants to punish those he knows are responsible for the upheaval of his life and the death of his young wife. Depp's performance is touching when it needs to be and exceedingly uncaring when called for. His singing during the musical numbers was very well done. It is difficult to imagine anyone else playing his part in this movie.

Finding Neverland

From Demon Barber to J.M. Barrie, variety is a term that can be used to describe Johnny Depp's parts. This film followed the life of J.M. Barrie, paying particular attention to his relationship with the Davies' family during the time period of his writing Peter Pan. This movie is all at once lovely and heartbreaking to watch. Depp's performance is very captivating as he captures Barrie in sad moments, wild pretend jaunts, and in the theater. It is particularly wonderful to see the way his character interacts with the young children within the film.

From Hell

From Hell chronicled the time period when London was in terror over the Jack the Ripper Murders. Johnny Depp plays a Scotland Yard inspector named Abberline. Depp's character is a mixed bag of addiction, caring, and supernatural abilities. This is one of the better depictions of Jack the Ripper I have seen, and that is largely because of Johnny Depp's very believable performance.

Edward Scissorhands

I don't know if anyone could picture Edward Scissorhands without seeing Johnny Depp with his pale skin and alternative hairstyle coming down to a suburban utopia. Edward Scissorhands follows the alternating acceptance and rejection that anyone who is different must face. Johnny Deep brought a humanity to Edward Scissorhands that a lesser actor could not have. The concept of a boy with scissors in place of fingers could easily be played in a way that made it so unbelievable it could not be empathized with but with Johnny Depp as the star, we could all feel the sadness in Edward.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Jack Sparrow is another role that Johnny Depp made entirely his own. From his entrance in Pirates of the Caribbean - Curse of the Black Pearl atop his sinking ship, to his final scene in At World's End, Johnny Depp and Jack Sparrow were one and the same. In a series of movies that could have been too cheesy for words, Johnny Depp found humor and projected it outward to all of us.

I consider Johnny Depp one of the best actors in movies' today, and I could easily rattle off more roles and pictures I have enjoyed his performances in. However, these five parts are my favorite and encompass several different periods and aspects of his career.