Johnny Depp, best known for his unforgettable performance as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, is the most overpaid actor in Hollywood thanks to his staggering movie salaries. The now-60-year-old actor has twice in his career topped Forbes’ list of the most overpaid actors (in 2015 and 2016). This is a rare critique directed at Hollywood A-listers, who command high salaries but generate very little revenue from the box office. But how did he accumulate so much wealth?
Well, Depp’s enigmatic talents quickly won the hearts of audiences worldwide, from his humble beginnings in TV shows to his breakthrough role in Edward Scissorhands. However, it was his performance as the eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow that catapulted him onto Hollywood’s A-list. He was named the most overpaid actor by Forbes in both 2015 and 2016. Alright, so this might not come as a huge surprise.
How Did Johnny Depp Become Hollywood’s Most Overpaid Actor?
According to Forbes, Johnny Depp, whose acting credits include several big-budget blockbuster films, was Hollywood’s most overpaid actor in 2015 and 2016. The publication proclaimed the 60-year-old Hollywood hunk as the most overpaid actor twice in a row, with his movies making only $2.80 for every dollar he received.
The list calculated the earnings in relation to the salary by examining the actor’s last three non-animated films released prior to June 2016. Depp earned only $2.80 for every $1 that was given to him. The ranking was determined by taking his last three films, subtracting the cost of production, and accounting for the star’s salary. Forbes also provided the following explanations:
“This year’s ranking of Hollywood’s most overpaid actors is dominated by established male leads who charge top dollar but don’t always deliver at the ticket booth.”
According to CBR, Depp’s net worth has reportedly taken a hit because his net worth was an extra $50 million ($200 million total) some years prior to his alleged lawsuit. $150 million is still a significant sum that most actors could only dream of, especially given that the Dead Man’s Chest actor is said to be paid $20 million per film.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Johnny Depp’s several hit movies have brought in over $3.7 billion in revenue domestically and $10 billion globally at the box office.
Johnny Depp’s Unforgettable Film Characters
Before gaining popularity on the television series 21 Jump Street, Johnny Depp made his feature film debut in the horror flick A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). In the 1990s, he primarily appeared in independent films, often as eccentric characters. He also began working with director Tim Burton, appearing in Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, and Ed Wood.
Playing Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series helped Depp become one of the most financially successful movie stars in the 2000s. With $75 million in earnings, he was eventually recognized by Guinness World Records as the highest-paid actor in the world (2012). Well, there is no denying that Depp did play important roles over the years.
Aside from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, his charisma and chameleon-like abilities have allowed him to enchant audiences with a diverse range of unforgettable characters. Whether he was playing the enigmatic Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or the delightfully insane Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, Depp’s ability to inhabit these quirky roles attracted filmmakers and audiences alike.
Thus, his demands for a higher salary may have been influenced by his desire for unusual roles, such as Tonto in The Lone Ranger or Mort Rainey in Secret Window. However, taking a chance can pay off handsomely, but it can also result in overspending.
There is no doubting the magic he has brought to the big screen, even though he might have emerged as Hollywood’s most overpaid actor. So let’s hope that his upcoming travels bring him a wealth of treasure.
We last saw him as Louis XV, King of France, in Mawenn’s historical drama film Jeanne du Barry, which also starred Pierre Richard, Noémie Lvovsky, Benjamin Lavernhe, Pascal Greggory, Melvil Poupaud, and India Hair.
