Johnny Depp: Hollywood Rebel

USA TODAY Lifeline Biographies

by Matt Doeden

As USA TODAY, The Nation's No. 1 Newspaper, puts it, Johnny Depp "clearly has a blast transforming his handsome self into some strange cinematic characters." Depp's career took off in 1987 when he signed up to play a cop on the television series 21 Jump Street . His good looks earned him plenty of attention―and plenty of money. But Depp had no interest in being a TV star or a teen idol. He wanted interesting roles in challenging films. He disappeared into the title roles in Edward Scissorhands , What's Eating Gilbert Grape , Donnie Brasco , and Ed Wood . Then in 2003, a new Depp character introduced the actor to a new generation of moviegoers. He became Captain Jack Sparrow―the gold-toothed, swaggering, and completely untrustworthy leader of the Pirates of the Caribbean. In his third decade as an actor, Depp is respected by critics and popular with a wide range of fans. He's at the top of his career―and still having a blast.

112 pages, Library Binding

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

Matt Doeden was born in southern Minnesota and lived parts of his childhood in Golden Valley, Minnesota, and Madison, Minnesota. He studied journalism at Mankato State University, where he worked at the college newspaper for three years. In his senior year, he served as the paper's Sports Editor, which put him in charge of the entire sports section, the sports writers, and the photographers. He covered mostly college sports, but also the Minnesota Vikings, who held training camp at MSU.

His work allowed him to meet and interview people like Dennis Green, Cris Carter, Robert Smith, and more. Matt went on to work as a sports writer for the Mankato paper, and then he got a job as an editor with a small children's publisher called Capstone Press, and in 2003 he decided to start his own business as a freelance writer and editor.

Since then, Matt has written and edited hundreds of books. Lots of them are on high-interest topics like cars, sports, and airplanes. He also writes and edits on geography, science, and even math.

Reviews

[Mayra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was very informative , I learned things abt Johnny that I didn't kno before . It was also very interesting . I wouldn't read it again only bc I already read it , but I would recommend other ppl to read it ig .

[Elsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

112 page biography! Short, highly illustrated, and it's about Johnny Depp!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

The real man behind Edward Scissorhands, The Mad Hatter, Willy Wonka and Jack Sparrow. Johnny Depp has an amazing list of movies. This biography made me want to watch every one.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love me some Johnny Depp.