MAIN Art &... Pop Culture Actors Johnny Depp

Originally known for his status as a TV teen heartthrob in his role on 21 Jump Street, Depp later went on to become a serious adult actor respected for his choice of offbeat roles and sensitive, multi-textured performances.

He began his career as a Kentucky-born high school dropout with dreams of making it as a musician, but later fell into acting with a debut performance in the horror shocker, A Nightmare on Elm Street in 1984, which later led to his winning the TV role on 21 Jump Street.

With his teen following assured, Depp's breakthrough performance came in 1990 in the title role of Tim Burton's film Edward Scissorhands.

Since then, the actor has varied his roles enormously in such star turns as the cross-dressing director Ed Wood, as an undercover FBI agent in Donnie Brasco, as Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow, and as a flamboyant over-the-top pirate in Pirates of the Caribbean.

In 2005, Depp won a Golden Globe nomination for his starring role in Finding Neverland and in early 2005 took home the Favorite Male Movie Star award at the People's Choice Awards (and won yet again in the same category in 2006).

Depp reprised his role as Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest which opened in July 2006.

He again starred in the third and final part of the trilogy Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End released in May 2007.

The actor also re-teamed with director Tim Burton for the title role of Sweeney Todd released in December 2007. A year later, Depp took top honors at the MTV Movie Awards, receiving awards both for Best Comedic Performance in Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End and Best Villain for Sweeney Todd.

Next up, rumors that swirled for months about the actor being cast as The Riddler in the next Dark Knight Batman sequel have since proved true — as fans eagerly anticipate their favorite star appearing in the popular franchise. Work is expected to begin on the next movie, starring Christian Bale as Batman, some time in 2009. Depp also pairs with Christian Bale starring as Chicago gangster John Dillinger in the upcoming Public Enemies.

Offscreen, Depp has been in a relationship with French pop singer Vanessa Paradis and have a daughter, Lily-Rose Melody Depp, and a son, John Christopher "Jack" Depp III.

More about Johnny Depp around the Web:

Everything Johnny - And they mean it, with a worldwide following reporting in on the latest news and updates, an extensive archive of film and candid photos, quotes, facts and biography, including links to video clips, related sites and resources.

johnnydeppzone.com - Breaking news, chat, a collection of video interviews, site FAQ and check The Deppster for a complete bio, upcoming and rumoured projects.

Depp! - The latest news, picture galleries, video movie clips and TV interviews, related articles and messageboards, related links.

Depp Impact - News briefs, magazine article alerts, current TV features and appearances, facts and quotes, fan encounters, picture gallery and more.

Johnny Depp - Yahoo! Movies - A complete biography, film reviews, photo gallery with links to related sites, groups and messageboards.

Johnny Depp Current Month TV Schedule - Upcoming films on TV on major U.S. cable channels.

Also see -> Orlando Bloom | George Clooney

Russell Crowe | Tom Cruise | Matt Damon

Hugh Jackman | Ashton Kutcher | Jude Law | Heath Ledger

Joaquin Phoenix | Brad Pitt | Keanu Reeves | Will Smith