Colleagues about Johnny

Dustin Hoffman, actor:

"I think people like Johnny Depp are an exception. He is the current model of what an actor should be. His body of work speaks volumes. He was so under-rated for so long, but he will have longevity -- and it is such a gratifying thrill to see he is finally getting the recognition he deserves."

("Jam Movies interview", October 2003)

Robert Rodriguez, director of "Once Upon a Time in Mexico":

"He'd love to come back and do it again. It was so cool, the movie was so fun. He got to do some really great stuff. He was great in action. He never does action. I'm like, "I thought you never like to do action?" He said, "You've converted me".

(October 2001)

David Koepp, director of "Secret Window":

"-Were any of Johnny Depp’s gestures improvised, or were they all scripted?

- Oh, sure, no, most of them were improvised. He’s a sponge. He picks up what’s going on around him. Like that jaw thing that he does -- I was doing that because I was grinding my teeth because I wasn’t sleeping at night. So he just started doing it throughout the movie. You’ve got to be careful what you do around him because he’ll steal it from you".

(March 2004)

Gary Ross, director of "Seabiscuit":

"If ever acting helped a movie, it was Pirates of the Caribbean. You put a genius in the middle of a pirate movie and it becomes effervescent. We're lucky that kind of actor with that kind of limitless talent is now a movie star."

("USA Today" Oscars article, February 2004)

Chrissy Iley, tattoo-master:

"So why do people think Depp is a troubled bad boy? He doesn't seem bad to me. He's probably the most charming person I've ever touched the tattoos of. He's funny, kind, and gives himself totally in every moment".

("The Sunday Times", July 2003)

Ty Burr, film critic:

"If a movie star is someone who brings the weight of persona to bear on every role, what do you call someone who seems to erase himself from his own performances?
That's easy: You call him an actor".

("Boston Globe", July 2003)