Seven magnificent faces of Johnny Depp

Johnny be weird but misunderstood In 1993’s Benny & Joon, Depp plays an eccentric young man who falls in love with a mentally ill woman (Mary Stuart Masterson). Not to be confused with What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, which also came out in ’93, where he plays a confused young man who takes care of his mentally ill brother (Leonardo DiCaprio).

Johnny be Hunter Depp, who was a good friend of Hunter S. Thompson, rode high through bat country for his portrayal of Raoul Duke in 1998’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Depp just finished shooting The Rum Diary, based on another Thompson novel, and according to this month’s Vanity Fair cover story, has a beach on his private Caribbean island named after the Gonzo journalist.

Johnny be Burton Depp and Tim Burton have collaborated together seven times, including the upcoming Alice in Wonderland. Early photos of Depp’s Mad Hatter—a Wonka/Scissorhands mix—are guaranteed to produce years of childhood nightmares. *Ed Wood* is one of their finest, and most underrated, partnerships.

Johnny be daring For a small role in Julian Schnabel’s incredible Before Night Falls, Depp plays Lieutenant Victor and the charismatic Bon Bon, notorious for smuggling packages up her ass.

Johnny be TV star Even 1980s jeans can’t keep Johnny down in 21 Jump Street.

Johhny be fugazi Depp in 1997’s Donnie Brasco, co-starring Al Pacino, makes us forget about everyone else.

Johnny be dreamboat How many tears were shed for Cry-Baby?

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As gangster John Dillinger in Public Enemies, Johnny Depp plays yet another unlikely character. We survey the beloved actor’s darkly compelling roles.

This article appears in Jul 2-8, 2009.