Johnny Depp has been trending on social media today, and you’ve likely noticed that alongside his name are birthday wishes and shouts of praise for the characters he’s provided to the entertainment realm.
From films like Sleepy Hollow and Edward Scissorhands to Blow and Pirates of the Caribbean, Depp has breathed life into some of the most iconic characters across the pop culture realm, so as his name — and the names of several celebrities who share a birthday with him — trend on social media, we’re reminded of all the ways he’s left a footprint in the journey of the evolution of entertainment.
So if you’ve seen Depp trending today alongside the likes of Michael J. Fox, Dick Vitale, Natalie Portman, and Mae Whitman — you might be wondering how old he is and if all of those celebs and then some are really blowing out their candles today. As usual, we’ve got you covered with all the details.
When is Johnny Depp’s birthday?
Johnny Depp is one of many celebrities celebrating a birthday today, June 9. Born in a small Kentucky town, Owensboro, Depp is the youngest of four siblings, and his parents were a waitress named Betty Sue, and John Christopher (whom Johnny was named after). Depp’s parents divorced when he was 15, and his mother would go on to marry a man named Robert Palmer — who Depp felt inspired and loved by deeply.
In a conversation with USA Today, Depp shared the meaning of a song he wrote and performed for his late stepfather:
“So the words of the song was this toast by my stepfather, who made his exit about 15 years ago. He was this really cool guy. He was a bit of a rounder. He spent about half his life in prison, in Statesville Ill. And he had this toast. ‘Here’s to you, as good as you are. Here’s to me, as bad as I am. You’re still as good as you are, as bad as I am.'”
Depp has experienced several ups and downs in his personal and professional life, and as he celebrates his first birthday without his friend and partner in music, Jeff Beck, things are feeling bittersweet at this moment in time. Depp dedicated a song to Beck, at his performance in Bucharest, Romania, on Thursday, and it was none other than David Bowie’s “Heroes.”
It goes without saying that this is a birthday full of emotion for Depp, after a lengthy and very public battle with his ex-wife, the loss of a close friend, and other changes in his life — but he’s finding the positives in each day and enjoying them for what they are. As he honors his birthday this year and celebrates this new chapter of his life, Depp will undeniably be soaking it all in and embracing this next year of opportunity in every sense of the word.
How old is Johnny Depp?
So how old is Depp turning today? Depp was born in 1963, which means the actor is turning 60 years old today. In his lengthy career, he has breathed life into characters like Captain Jack Sparrow, Ichabod Crane, Edward Scissorhands, Barnabas Collins, Willy Wonka, Gellert Grindelwald, and even the Big Bad Wolf.
His characters and the stories they’ve been a part of have transported audiences into new realms for decades, and his contribution to entertainment can’t be disputed. From comical to horror and heartbreaking to wonder, Depp has touched a realm of each genre in the industry, and as he embraces the next chapter of his life, there’s a lot to look back on and be proud of.
Johnny Depp is focusing on the future
In a chat with People, Depp is quoted as saying that he doesn’t really feel “boycotted” by Hollywood because he doesn’t give the entity too much thought himself. As he celebrates his birthday this year, he’s looking forward and staying true to himself.
“Do I feel boycotted now? No, not at all, but I don’t feel boycotted by Hollywood because I don’t think about it. I don’t think about Hollywood. I don’t have much further need for Hollywood myself. I keep wondering about the word comeback because I didn’t go anywhere. As a matter of fact, I live about 45 minutes away. So yeah, maybe people stopped calling out of whatever their fear was at the time. But no, I didn’t go nowhere. I’ve been sitting around.”
As he rings in 60, sources close to Depp say he’s happy, and that’s the greatest gift anyone could receive on their special day. Here’s to another trip around the sun, and Happy Birthday, Johnny Depp.