OK Magazine May 1st 2007
"It's A Miracle that I still get jobs"
Johnny Depp
The enigmatic star on why he's on borrowed time, his love for Vanessa and Marlon brando's terrible advice!

Johnny Depp has been lusted after by women both here and across the pond for over three generations. With his mysterious persona, his former hell raiser streak, those cheekbones and the to-die-for body, he sends all ladies into a fluster.
However, we can only admire him from afar, because unfortunately the very un-Hollywood star is happily living the quiet life in France with love of his life Vanessa Paradis and thier two children Lily-Rose and Jack.
Here, the 43-year-old star of upcoming flick Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End chats about rumours of more children, loving being daddy and enjoying the simple life...
Is it true that Vanessa is expecting another child?
Not that I know of.It's possible, but no I thik it's just a rumour. I'd surround myself with kids if I could, but I have the easier part of the job, don't I?

What's the secret to your long lasting relationship with Vanessa?
We basically somehow have a miraculous understanding of one another and we don't ever talk about business.We don't talk about her work or my work. So our life in that sense is very, very simple. We are great, great friends and we're in love.

What do you dream for your children?
As any parent, my wish for my kids is a perfect life, perfect happiness, perfect health, perfect everything. That's a given.

Does being a father yourself help add depth to your roles?
Yeah, being a father does help add depth, texture and all kinds of wonderful things to my parts. It affects every aspect of your personal life, working life, everything.

What were your dreams as a child?
When I was a kid, I had alot of dreams.I wanted to be everything from Evel Knieval to the first white Harlem Globetrotter, and I'm still trying! Then I wanted to play guitar, and now I'm here doing this - acting.

Have you always dreamed of becoming a famous actor?
To be honest I never even expected to last this long, I always expected to go back to playing guitar or pumping gas long before now. It could still happen, because it's a miracle that I still get jobs!

What important lessons have you learned from acting?
I've learnt to always be prepared, ever since Marlon brando asked me to come to Ireland to do a scenes in Divine Rapture ( a film which was never completed). I asked him whether I couls read the script first but he told me that there was no need and to just "turn up on the day". So I did and the director asked me:" How's the accent going?" because I was meant to be a dublin reporter so I said: " What accent?" I then had 24 hours to learn a Dublin accent. That was one of Marlon's great practical jokes and taught me a valuable lesson.

How has repeatedly moving home as a child affected you today?
We lived such a nomadic existence when I was a kid and literally moved houses 30 - 35 times by the time I was 15. That has made a great affect on who I am today, which is why me, my kids and my girl don't stay in one place for long - we just have to keep on moving.

Do you let your kids see your movies?
Some of them, but some I'm not sure they're ready for. Hell, I'm not sure I'm ready for them! they saw Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, which made me very nervous. I was scared that they'd come home and say: Hey, Dad, better luck next time!" But they came home quoting it, which was nice.

Do they understand what you do?
They understand only that it's papa's work. they don't find anything fascinating about it other than Daddy gets to make believe for a living. For them its normal.

What made you come back for the sequels to Pirates of Teh Caribbean?
It was selfishly just the oppertunity to play Captain Jack again. I wanted to play him again because he's so much fun to play and ther's so much more to explore with that character. I'd keep going, even if they wanted me to do Pirates VII - why not!

Is your Jack tattoo real?
Yeah, its real. Thats for my son whose name is Jack.

Haven't you got your own Caribbean Island?
Yeah, we've got a little place down there. It's a dream come true, I walk around and just can't believe I'm there.

Do you try and leave your characters behind or take them home with you?
It might be a good thing or a bad thing, but all my characters are still in there! All these guys aren't that far from the surface, so getting to them is like opening a drawer.

You've always been a respected actor, but now you're a commercial hit and are making £15 million a picture....
Jesus. Can someone call my business manager. I have some questions!

Has all this commercial success changed things for you?
It hasn't changed my work ethic, my approach or outlook to the work. I've been very lucky in my life that I've worn many hats - lierally. I've don everything from selling ink pens over the telephine, printing t-shirts and construction to being a musician and a bus boy. I've had a great deal of luck in this business so I'm together enough to know that if the ride is going smoothly and fun this week, it could evaporate next week and I'm once again that weird guy that does art films. I'm oaky with that, I've always said I've never had any allergy to the idea of commercial success, it was just how you got there that was important.

How differently do fans treat you around the world?
It's pretty much the same no matter where I am, it's just in a different language! they're generally very nice and respectful everywhere I go.

With all the places you've worked, do you have a preference?
I've spent a lot of time in the UK and have always loved it. As an American, everywhere I go in Britain is fascinating just because of the history alone. Fortunately, I've been able to get to see a lot of it while I'm working on location.

Would you like to direct movies?
I've tried directing once before, and it was a very big learning experience. I definalty wouldn't do it again - especially if I had to bi in it too!

Full page photo of Johnny with Kate Winslet at FN Premiere.
Nice photo of Johnny and Vanessa at the 2006 GG's.
Small pic from AWE
Half page pic of Johnny with Orlando and Keira from DMC US Premiere
Small pic of Vanessa and Lily Rose whose face is disguised as is always done in these mags, can't recall when it was taken.
Pic of Johnny with Kate Moss DJDM Premiere 1995 a pic I've not seen I think.
Pic with Keith Richards from 1998
Small pic of Johnny at the Sheila Witkin Memorial