Return to Interview page

TV EXPRESS 8/03

The smoke around Johnny Depp's head has disappeared
"I've behaved like an idiot"
"I don't fight anymore. I don't drink and sniff like crazy anymore. I'd rather play with the barby dolls, with my daughter." Johnny Depp (40), who can be admired as a pirate in 'Pirates of the Caribbean', has changed. Thanks to his wife, French singer-actress Vanessa Paradis.

He turned forty in June. The ideal opportunity, you would think, to go crazy. In his own nightclub maybe, the Viper Room in Los Angeles. But Johnny Depp chose a peaceful birthday party.
"I've took Vanessa, our children, my sister and a few friends to dinner in Lisbon (Vanessa Paradis was in Lisbon for the filming of 'Atomik Circus: Le Retour de James Bataille). We kept it calm. That's the way it should be for an older man like me."
Depp has become more mature. His wantonness and excesses haven't happened for a while now. For his children, Lily-Rose Melody (4) and Jack (1), he's even trying to quit smoking. Although he does smoke a cigar once in a while now.
"I'm no longer the man who fights in bars, that drinks and sniffs like there's no tomorrow. I've lived in a fog for years. There wasn't anything important in my life. Until I fell in love with Vanessa and she got pregnant. It was like someone pulled my ears very hard and drove out the fog. I've behaved like an idiot for a very long time."

You're getting older, daddy.
I'm not completely senile, yet. (laughs) My children just brought me back to earth. They really make a big difference. A child makes you stronger. A child helps to put everything into perspective. Where I got worked up before, I now worry less. I've got something like: "Screw you, I'm just going to play with the barby dolls together with Lily."
Depp in a family movie by Disney. Which challenge did you see in this?
I was thinking: except for the killing and looting, pirates were a bit the rock stars of their time. Always on the road, a life full of adventure, not 'afraid' of nice women, never staying within the lines. And then I thought of a few rock stars and I automatically came up with Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones.
You're friends, aren't you?
Oh yeah. Years already. In Keith the myth of a pirate as a gentleman-rebel is immortalized. He even looks like an 18th century pirate. He's a very wise man too. A philosopher, a Buddha, something like that. And he's the biggest rock star of all times. To go short, I was inspired by Keith Richards for this part. (thinking) It's strange: this character has a hypnotizing effect on me. I had a feeling like: I know this guy. I felt perfect in his skin. The condition was that I could fill in the character the way I wanted.
You even got a few golden caps on your teeth. Jerry Bruckheimer wasn't too enthusiastic about that. And they wanted to get the dreadlocks out of my hair, less beads. The audience might be offended by it. As a compromise I got two golden teeth removed. But before shooting started, I secretly got one added again. (amused) Recently I was in Disneyland with my daughter. The lady behind the counter smiled at me. I smiled back. She looked at me with eyes that said: "I know a good dentist for you".
Do you even feel a bit like a pirate? Well… People gave me a rebellious image. It was strongly exaggerated. Others used my bad boy image to get better of it. I did do drugs, yes. Alcohol, drugs… not that much for my pleasure, more to be able to hang in there: the interview sessions, the listening to the big men in the movie business, the exaggerated attention. I didn't feel comfortable as coming man. I'm shy by nature. The whispering, the gossiping, people pointing at you: I've always been hyper sensitive about it.
Is it true that you played the pirate for your children?
It is indeed an opportunity for them to see their father working. I wanted them to be proud of their father. Lily-Rose already knew that her mummy is a singer, but when she saw the trailer of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' she immediately knew what her daddy did: daddy's a pirate!
You seem very OK as a father. And as a husband? Why don't you get married?
Marriage means nothing. It's just a piece of paper. But if Vanessa wants to make our relationship official, I'll immediately say yes. None the less, we already feel like we're a married couple.
You travel between Los Angeles and Plan de la Tour, near Saint-Tropez, where your house was miraculously saved from the bush fires.
In France people aren't constantly looking me on the fingers. Those beautiful old people in the old villages don't care who I am. Do you not what mostly appeals to me in France? There, people still enjoy the simple things of life.
You know, America is like Disneyland: nice to visit, but after a while, you've had enough of it. A European is less fake. You can compare the American culture with a young puppy: nice and sweet, but kind of stupid.