Johnny Depp's Best and Weirdest Acting Roles

Johnny Depp embraces the characters he portrays wholeheartedly without remorse or regret. It is one of the things that makes him such a superb actor. Recently, he talked to Vanity Fair about his role as a mathematician in the upcoming film "The Tourist" which he costars in with Angelina Jolie. In the interview he tells legendary rocker Patti Smith about how the role appealed to him saying, "I was always fascinated by people who are considered completely normal, because I find them the weirdest of all."

Weird is something Johnny Depp does best, in this authors opinion. Some of his best roles were the ones where he dove in with mind, body and soul. You could tell that he enjoyed the role by his deep connection to the character. Although "The Tourist" looks promising as an action packed thriller the previews do not resonate that same connectedness to the characters like in his earlier roles. Here are some of the best roles Johnny Depp has played:

Sam in "Benny & Joon" (1993)- Johnny Depp plays Sam, a cinemaphile (someone obsessed/passionate about films), who falls deeply in love with Joon who is a schizophrenic being taken care of by her brother Benny. Benny's life is in turmoil as he cares for his sister because she constantly drives her caretakers away. This romantic drama takes comedic twists and turns as the young couple deal with Joon's psychotic episodes, Benny's challenges in dealing with Joon and Sam's attempts at getting a job.

"Edward Scissorhands" (1990)- Depp plays the title character of Edward Scissorhands, a human-like young boy who has scissors for hands and was left unfinished by his maker. Depp's portrayal of Edward earned him a Golden Globe Award for best actor in 1990 and was also the start of his long and fruitful career with director, Tim Burton.

Ichabod Crane in "Sleepy Hollow" (1999)- Depp was cast as Ichabod Crane in Tim Burtons adaptation of "Sleepy Hollow". The story was based on Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Based in Sleepy Hollow, New York a series of brutal deaths have been happening with the murderer leaving the victims decapitated and a tormented Ichabod Crane investigates the grisly murders.

Captain Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean" (2003-2011, all 4)- Johnny Depp's portrayal as the rum-swilling pirate has caused Disney to gasp, guffaw and line their pockets. Depp received the role although his audition was consider off-beat. According to IGN Movies Depp claimed his portrayal of Sparrow was based off of modern rock stars, "So, when I thought, 'Who is the greatest rock 'n' roll star of all time?'" Kieth Richards was Depp's answer." Not really surprising that Keith Richards shows up later in the series as Captain Jack Sparrow's father.

Some of the other great roles to see Johnny Depp in include "Ed Wood", "Secret Window", "Chocolat", "The Libertine", "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" and of course Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland". Or you can see him in "The Tourist" in theaters on December 10, 2010.