Top 10 Johnny Depp performances

1. As Hunter S. Thompson, or Raoul Duke, in 'Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas' (1998)

Depp became close friends with the actual Hunter S. Thompson during the making of this cult classic adaptation of the 1971 novel. Maybe that's why Depp's impersonation of Thompson is so spot-on. Intense, crazy, funny and wise, there is no doubt that 'Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas' constitutes the peak of Depp's acting career.  



2. As Edward Scissorhands in 'Edward Scissorhands' (1990)

A classic example of Depp's chameleon acting abilities, and also his major movie breakthrough. This the first of eight collaborations with Tim Burton is still one of Depp's most powerful characters. 










3. As Guy LaPointe in 'Tusk' (2014)

It took roughly ten minutes into his first appearance on screen as French-Canadian investigator Guy LaPointe before I even recognized him. Pulling a Tom Cruise in 'Tropic Thunder,' Depp is heavily camouflaged in a prosthetic nose, moustasche, eyebrows, make-up and a thick French accent, pulling off the funniest of his many surprise cameos. 











4. As Jack Sparrow in 'Pirates of the Caribbean' (2003)

An obvious choice, since it is arguably the role that Depp is most known for today. Even though he seems to lazily stumble through most scenes, at least in the last two films, he still manages to pull it off. Campy and eccentric characters are his forte, and like Willy Wonka and the Mad Hatter, this is when he shines. 







5. As Barnabas Collins in 'Dark Shadows' (2012)

Swamped in bad reviews that the film may be, Depp's Victorian vampire is the best thing about Tim Burton's goth comedy and the sole reason to watch it. With years and several films of practice, here he shows that he has mastered Britishness. 



6. As Edward D. Wood Jr in 'Ed Wood' (1994)

Depp's second collaboration with Tim Burton got him his third Golden Globe nomination. Although it doesn't stand out in any shape or form, a list of Depp's career-defining roles would be incomplete without this, one of his most sympathetic and charismatic madmen.






7. As William Blake in 'Dead Man' (1995)

In order to avoid being repetitive on this list, we've included one of Depp's most minimalistic and serious roles here. Despite being so far removed from the camp and surreal that has become his trademark over the years, it is difficult to imagine anyone else bringing what Depp brings to this lost soul on his final journey into the afterlife.



8. As Sam in 'Benny & Joon' (1993)

Depp studied Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton for this role and it certainly paid off. The film is unremarkable, an unassuming romcom best remembered for Depp's clowny supporting role which landed him a well-earned Golden Globe nomination.








9. As Bon Bon in 'Before Night Falls' (2000)

Besides doing a double role, something that usually belongs to comic actors (like Peter Sellers in 'Dr. Strangelove' or Eddie Murphy in 'The Nutty Professor'), one of them is in drag. What more indication do you need that Depp is a comic at heart?

 

10.  As Glen Lantz in 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' (1984)

Included here mainly because it's his first film role and because his death scene is pretty cool.