Johnny Depp's 5 Best Performances

His accolades include 3 Oscar nominations, 1 Golden Globe win from 10 nominations and 2 BAFTA nominations

Johnny Depp has proved his versatility throughout his amazing career. From his partnerships with the likes of Tim Burton to his parts in big franchises, he is almost recognisable once the cameras are rolling.

The question is, which performances are we calling his best? We have compiled our top 5 of his acting parts for you to take a look at. Let’s see if you agree!

5. Benjamin Barker/Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

Who knew this guy had such a set of lungs on him. Directed by Tim Burton and co-starring Helena Bonham Carter (that good old trend), Depp portrays barber Benjamin Barker, a man who was falsely convicted and exiled to Australia all thanks to Alan Rickman’s Judge Turpin, who wished to have Barker’s wife for his own. Upon returning to London in 1846, 15 years after being exiled, he learns the fate of his wife and daughter. Reinventing himself as Sweeney Todd, he seeks revenge and slits the throats of his customers, then offering up their corpses to Carter’s Mrs Lovett so she can put them in her meat pies. Yum.

As usual, Depp fits the gothic tone of Burton’s work and blends into his vision seamlessly. With the film being adapted from a stage musical, it also helps that the actor was able to belt out a good few songs as well!

Depp had actually starred in another musical film earlier in his career, which was Crybaby back in 1990. However, for this he only lip-synced his songs. For Sweeney Todd, it’s the real deal.

4. Joseph D. Pistone/Donnie Brasco in Donnie Brasco (1997)

Ever wanted to see Johnny Depp as part of the mafia? Here’s your chance! Directed by Mike Newell, this film is loosely based on the story of Joseph D. Pistone, an undercover FBI agent who infiltrates Bonnano crime family in the 1970’s under the alias of jewel thief Donnie Brasco. Depp portrays the title character and co-stars with the likes of Al Pacino and Bruno Kirby.

Depp does an amazing job as Brasco, playing the paranoia and depth of pressure brilliantly. He also holds his own against acting heavy-weight Pacino and they have some pretty amazing scenes together.

Depp met with the real Joseph D. Pistone numerous times to prepare for the role, and took shooting lessons from the FBI. Pistone himself has said that the film is around 85% accurate.

3. Edward Scissorhands in Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Arguably the film that really put this actor on the map. Directed by (you guessed it) Tim Burton, the film tells the tale of a young man who was artificially made and had scissors for hands. Being found by a kind Avon saleswoman, he is welcomed into her family and tries to blend into the picturesque neighbourhood.

Depp creates a puppy dog quality with this character, and we can’t help but feel sorry for the character from start to finish. With heartbreak hitting us all by the credits, you know the actor did good with this one.

This was actually the first team up between Depp and long-time collaborator Tim Burton.

2. Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)

A welcomed addition to the wizarding world of Harry Potter. After a small cameo in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Depp takes on the title role of Gellert Grindelwald, a dark wizard who Potter fans recognise as the friend/lover of Albus Dumbledore in their younger years, who goes on to be his enemy.

Depp electrifies in this portrayal of the wizarding tyrant. Though Crimes of Grindelwald isn’t the best of films, the actor can’t be faulted throughout. He has a very Hitler-like quality in how he uses propaganda and manipulation of speech to gain the support of his followers. It’s a very big shame that we won’t continue to see him portray the character. Mads Mikkelsen has a lot to live up to.

Depp actually signed onto the project without reading a script. He simply wanted to be a part of the franchise and was a self proclaimed Harry Potter fan.

1. Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

In the top spot, what other role would it be? Depp of course portrays the swashbuckling, idiotic yet brilliant Captain Jack Sparrow. Sparrow selfishly works to gain back control of his beloved ship, The Black Pearl, and is happy to use Orlando Bloom’s Will Turner to do so. Needless to say, he does show that he has a bit of a heart here and there, no matter how much of a scallywag he really is.

Though he does a great job in all his appearances as this character, the original can’t be beaten. Depp clearly has a lot of fun with the role, and he’s able to use all that zany energy from his experiences with Burton to just let it run riot.

Depp, ever being the eccentric, originally pushed for Jack Sparrow to have no nose and be scared of silly things such as peppers and the common cold. Incase you didn’t notice, Disney rejected these ideas.

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What’s your thoughts on Johnny Depp’s top 5 performances? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

Johnny Depp’s 5 Best Performances