Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp photographed for Rolling Stone Magazi (Pascal Aulagner's Photo Gallery)

“Lights! Cameras! Action!” It’s Hollywood's movie madness! The first thing you think of when you hear the word “Hollywood” is glitz, glamour, or maybe fame. Most Hollywood stars find their own way to shine, and have a picture in their head of how they want to become famous. You may not think that Johnny Depp is a hero since he is the highest paid actor in Hollywood, but he finds his one way to give back to the community with his childrens charities. From helping kids in coma, to putting a smile on everyone’s face, Johnny Depp has brought joy to millions of lives.

Johnny Depp in his movie

On July 9, 1963 in Owensboro, Kentucky Johnny Depp, or John Christopher Depp II, was born. He was involved in self-harm as a child because of his family moving so much and his parents’ divorce. Depp moved 20 times before he finally moved to Miramar, Florida when he was seven. "In a 1993 interview, he explained his self-injury by saying, 'My body is a journal in a way. It's like what sailors used to do, where every tattoo meant something, a specific time in your life when you make a mark on yourself, whether you do it yourself with a knife or with a professional tattoo artist'." In 1979, Johnny’s principal told him to drop out of high school, so he can follow his dreams and become a rock musician. After a very long struggle with his musical career, Depp was introduced to actor Nicholas Cage. Cage told him to follow his dreams, so shortly after Johnny decided to give acting a try. He has starred in Nightmares on Elm Street (1984), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Public Enemies (2009), and the most popular known series Pirates of the Caribbean (2003, 2006, 2007, 2011…). Johnny has worked his way all the way up to his address in Beverly Hills, 9560 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500. " 'As a teenager I was so insecure. I was the type of guy that never fit in because he never dared to choose. I was convinced I had absolutely no talent at all, for nothing. And that thought took away all my ambition too.'" Johnny Depp has really proved himself to the world from his songs, to his acting career. He is determined to help children going through the same rough time he went through in his childhood.

Dustin's bracelet (http://dying.about.com/od/recommendedresources/fr/bracelet_hospic.htm)

Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Depp is involved in a charity known as “Sophie’s Gift”. In this charity, parents with a child in coma ask Johnny to send in taped messages, hoping that their child will wake up. In the messages, Johnny repeats commands the doctors have issued. It all started with a 17-year-old British girl named Sophie Wilkinson who suffered a horrible car crash in November of last year. She has not awakened since. Her mom thought that every individual had a “key” to unlocking them out of coma. Since Sophie was a huge fan of Johnny Depp, she thought that once Sophie would hear his voice, she would wake up. Sophie’s mom and Johnny are now working on a charity called “Sophie’s Gift” where they try to make it easier on families going through the same situation they are. Johnny is also involved with a young actor named Dustin. He was an ‘actor at heart‘, and in Dustin’s life everyday was a thrilling adventure. Dustin lived by the saying, “Today is a gift…have fun!” He died in 2007 of cancer, but is still memorialized by Johnny Depp. ‘“I am honored to be associated with brave little Dustin by wearing this silver and leather wrist band,” Depp commented shortly after his ceremony at the Walk of Fame. Today, Johnny is donating half of all of his money made from his movies to local hospitals.

Johnny Depp in April 2011 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Depp)

Artistic, eclectic actor, and selfless are three ways to describe my hero, Johnny Depp. He is a warm, inspirational, enthusiastic, practical, a realist, social, has intellectual qualities, and has emotional needs and feelings. I look up to him because he had a rough time in his childhood, but managed to break free and is determined to help children who are going through a rough childhood as well. He is a Hollywood celebrity that I am willing to look up to. Johnny is a hero to me because he is not just willing to stand by. He is always the first one to take action to a cause. Depp chooses movie roles that will challenge him, doesn’t care what people think about his image, loves his fans, visits sick children in hospitals, wears Dustin’s bracelet, keeps a twentieth of his savings for his children’s college savings, and donates half of his movie money to local hospitals. Johnny and I are alike because we both use art as an inspiration. I express my emotions through my artwork, and Johnny expresses his feelings through his music and acting. He encourages people to be an individual and to express your feelings through what you love. It not only makes him happy, but it makes other people happy as well. He has touched millions of hearts through his acting. He likes to express his individuality through quirky movies that stretch his artistic ability into new dimensions. Johnny Depp is a true inspirer to me.

Johnny Depp (My drawing)

Johnny Depp is a family hero that will last forever. A hero that has inspired thousands. A hero that has survived the toughest of times, but still supplies children with security, hope, and love. He has taught me that family is important, and that I should cherish my family forever. I shouldn’t complain about what I don’t have because I have more than enough that any kid in the world can hope for. His words, “I am doing things that are true to me. The only thing I have a problem with is being labeled.” This has told me that I should be my own person because someday someone will recognize me for me. My hero is a hero that will have his name engraved in stone through everybody's mind once they read about him. For Johnny, all you need to do is keep your head held high and think about the future where someday your life will take a turn for the best. To me, a hero represents family.