Johnny Depp recently opened up about the challenges of fame in a new documentary focused on his longtime collaborator, Tim Burton. In this film, Depp, now 61, shared that the media attention he received as a young heartthrob made him feel “completely freaked out.”
Depp first gained fame as a teen idol on the TV series "21 Jump Street" in the late 1980s. He recalled how paparazzi would constantly take his picture, and people would whisper and point at him in public. “I felt like sort of this raw nerve on display,” he said.
Tim Burton, who directed Depp in several films, described him as “very much not” the sex symbol that the media portrayed. Their professional relationship began with the 1990 film "Edward Scissorhands," where Depp felt nervous and out of place. He remembered thinking he might not get the role, especially after spending hours talking with Burton, yet feeling uncertain about his chances.
During the audition process for "Edward Scissorhands," Depp felt isolated. He noted that Burton had rehearsed the rest of the cast but left him out, which made Depp paranoid about being replaced. However, he later realized that this was Burton’s way of helping him connect with the loneliness of his character.
Depp has collaborated with Burton on numerous projects, including "Ed Wood," "Sleepy Hollow," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Sweeney Todd," and "Alice in Wonderland." Their partnership has been a significant part of Depp’s career.
In recent years, Depp’s acting career has slowed down, particularly following his highly publicized defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard, which he won. His first film post-trial was "Jeanne du Barry," which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023. He is also set to direct a biopic about Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani in 2024.
As Depp reflects on his early fame and his bond with Burton, it’s clear that the pressures of stardom shaped his journey in Hollywood.
