The recent years have been a rollercoaster for Johnny Depp. The Pirates of the Caribbean actor, who is media-shy, has been in the spotlight following his restrained relationship with ex-wife Amber Heard. The two have been in and out of court, with most of their dirty laundry making its way to the public. All the way from abuse allegations and restraining orders to leaked phone conversations, details surrounding The Rum Diary co-stars have forced the public to choose sides, pegging the question: Is Johnny Depp canceled?

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The answer to that question lies with fans who’ve followed his work through the years. The actor has grown a massive fanbase throughout his career that’s now approaching four decades. From music and acting to owning businesses, Johnny Depp has explored it all, yet he only just turned 58. Does he have more to offer? Let’s take a look at his track record.

10 Acting Wasn’t His First Love

Most successful actors, cue Brad Pitt, have pursued acting as their first love. Even when circumstances don’t allow it, the love for theater stays engraved in their hearts until they succeed. Johnny Depp’s first love was music. When he was 12 years old, he was gifted a guitar by his mom. Prior to pursuing an acting career, Depp had dreams of becoming a rockstar. He dropped out of high school to chase those dreams.

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9 He Was Introduced To The Craft By Nicholas Cage

Johnny Depp and his band, The Kids, moved to Los Angeles to further their singing careers. They altered their name and went by the Six Gin Method. The band split in 1984 without signing the record deal they so much sought. At around the same time, Depp got to meet Nicholas Cage through his then-wife, Lori Ann Allison. Cage advised him to have a go at acting, and Depp did just that.

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8 His Debut Role: 'A Nightmare On Elm Street’

A Nightmare on Elm Street was a supernatural horror film released in 1984. The film’s $1 million budget yielded $57 million worldwide. It ranks amongst the best horror films ever made. In the film, Depp played Glen Lantz, the boyfriend of Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp). Depp performed his own stunts in the film and reprised his role in Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare.

7 1985-1986: The Years Preceding His Breakout Role

After the release of his first film, Depp got a leading role in Private Resort, which was released in 1985. In the film, Johnny Depp (Jack) was paired with Rob Morrow, who played Ben. The plot was centered around Jack and Ben. The two were on the hunt for wealthy girls at a Miami resort, where they were guests. Up until he got his breakout role, Depp had a minor role in Platoon, which was released in 1986.

6 Depp Becomes A Teen Idol: '21 Jump Street’

While Johnny Depp was rejected as the star of the 1986-film Thrashin’, it was only a matter of time before his star shone brightly. His luck in the industry came in the form of 21 Jump Street, a 1987 FOX series. The show premiered in April and had a five-season run. It brought Depp nationwide fame and a $45,000 paycheck that discontinued after he was released in the fourth season.

5 His Hatred Of The Limelight

While Johnny Depp grew popular during his time on 21 Jump Street, he did not take a liking towards the attention. It was ‘irritable.’ Johnny Depp grew to be one of those celebrities who’d rather just do their job and go home. Years later, he compared it to ‘living like a fugitive.’ While he’s honored to have fans, he dislikes the strategy around it. " Everything has to be some sort of strategy; to get you out of the hotel…get you into the restaurant, to get you out of the restaurant,” Depp told TODAY.

4 His Work Relationship With Tim Burton

After his success on television, Johnny Depp became more conscious of the works he chose. He steered away from working for the sake of making big box office numbers. One of his first projects was Edward Scissorhands in which he collaborated with Tim Burton. Depp would go on to make more movies with Burton including Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleetstreet, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Dark Shadows, and Alice in Wonderland.

3 The Biggest Role Of His Career: Captain Jack Sparrow

While 21 Jump Street gave Johnny Depp nationwide fame, his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean shot him through the roof and introduced him to the world. Besides winning an Academy Award, Johnny Depp also earned himself a Screen Actor’s Guild Award and an MTV Movie Award. The role also earned him Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations.

2 The Guinness Book Of Records

Johnny Depp’s steady rise and role in Pirates of the Caribbean saw him become a cult-like figure. It goes without saying that Depp’s acting fees grew wings, though the cheques were fat already. In 2012, he was listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s most-earning actor. His proceeds at the time were cited as $75 million.

1 Work In The Recent Years

Despite the wrangles going on in his personal life and mismanagement of funds by his former team, Johnny Depp continues to work. The recent years have seen him appear in four films in 2016, three in 2017, five in 2018, and single films in 2019 and 2020. Depp also takes more time behind the scenes as a producer and has appeared in several documentaries. It’s clear that we haven’t seen the last of him.

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