Johnny Depp is undoubtedly a big name in the film industry. From his impeccable performances to personal life controversies, the actor has been in the spotlight for all sorts of reasons. Discussing his work, the actor has indeed planted the flag of his name in the film industry with his most memorable performance as Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series.
The actor is a renowned celebrity today, but he has seen his fair share of struggles in his life. During the initial phase of his career, when he was not as popular as he is today, he received assistance from his friend Nicolas Cage.
Nicolas Cage became a savior of Johnny Depp
The bond between Nicolas Cage and Johnny Depp is not restricted to mere fellow actors as the two have been friends before entering the film industry. While Cage made his Hollywood debut in 1982, with Fast Times at Ridgemont High, two years later Depp entered the Hollywood industry and marked his first debut in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984).
According to Cage, he was there with Depp, during the initial phase of his career and has seen all the ups and downs the actor has endured. During an interview, Cage said,
“The true story is that we were already friends. I was living in an old building in Hollywood called the Fontenoy, and I think I ultimately rented the apartment to Johnny, and he started living there. He was at the point in his career where he was selling pens or something to get by.”
It was not that the actor could not fend for himself but Cage renting the apartment out to him helped ignite a friendship between the two massive actors. Further, the Renfield actor said that he was the one who suggested Depp opt for acting as a profession. Cage recalled his conversation with Depp and said,
“But anyway, we were good friends, and we would play Monopoly, and he was winning a game, and I was watching him and I said, ‘Why don’t you just try acting?'”
In his toughest time, Cage became a beacon of hope as he showed Depp a path even he wasn’t aware he could take. From selling pens to becoming one of the biggest actors in Hollywood, Nicolas Cage’s contribution was never forgotten.
Cage revealed that Depp was hesitant initially about giving a thought to acting since he wanted “to be a musician at the time.”
Despite Depp’s reluctance to act in a film, Cage showed his faith in his and he ultimately convinced him to meet his agent. Cage said,
“She sent him out on his first audition, which was ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street. He got the part that day.”
On succeeding in his first audition, Cage was highly impressed by Depp and referred to him as “an overnight success.”
Johnny Depp’s Journey from Rags to Riches
Johnny Depp is one of those actors in Hollywood, who hasn’t built an empire of success overnight, but what he has achieved today is undoubtedly unshakable. Depp, who started his career as a pen seller, is now the biggest name in the Hollywood industry.
The list of his incredible performances is indeed endless, but what tops that list is his portrayal of Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. The role made Depp a household name and since then the actor has bagged many iconic roles.
The actor’s personal life has been no secret as well. Depp garnered attention for the defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard which ruled in his favour. However, it was a dark time for the actor as he lost on many big projects due to this case.
The actor has finally resumed work and he recently made his comeback with Jeanne Du Barry.
Source: The New Your Times Magazine
