What's Eating Johnny Depp?: An Intimate Biography

by Nigel Goodall

The star of some of the best and most unconventional American films in recent history, Johnny Depp has also been a source of media fascination since the 90s. His film roles have always been idiosyncratic, earning him international respect and adoration—from Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, and Donnie Brasco to his surprising star turn as the swashbuckling Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean, which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. His good looks, oddball charm, and tempestuous love affairs have helped push him into the limelight and kept him there. Now in this biography, Nigel Goodall looks at his bad-boy image, his rise to fame, and his high-profile romances with beautiful women such as Winona Ryder, Kate Moss, and longtime love Vanessa Paradis.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Film

288 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1999

About the author

Nigel Goodall is one of the most respected celebrity biographers in the UK with more than 20 books on the movie and pop world to his credit. He has written about some of the biggest names in showbusiness including Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Ray Winstone, David Tennant and Winona Ryder, which combined, have sold over a million copies and won him a literary prize nomination.

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok book. I wish it had focused more on him. It was mainly about the movies he has played in. I didn't really see any secrets in the book. If your looking for a book to learn more about Johnny Depp well this isn't it.

[Cassaundra Saylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explores the culture of Hollywood. As a celebrity the paparazzi is a great influence on the lives of a celebrity. In Johnny's case, the paparazzi has had great effect on his relationships. The media tends to spread rumors or will attempt to dig where it is not wanted. It has taken a great strain on Johnny's relationships, taking a turn for the worst.
While he has tried hard to aviod it, it is inevitable. Johnny has never handelked anything with grace but has made every outcome interesting. Depp never seems to be afraid to speak his mind no matter what the topic, yet he enjoys keeping his personal life private.

[Kaja Szwarc · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tytuł pozycji "Johnny Depp - sekretne życie" sugeruje pogoń za sensacją. Albo tani chwyt marketingowy. W przypadku dzieła Nigel'a Goodall'a zdecydowanie to drugie. Czytelnicy czekający na odkrycie drugiej twarzy charyzmatycznego Johnny'ego zawiodą się. Książka nie zawiera niczego czego już by nie napisano, opublikowano i powtórzono czterdzieści razy. Język przekazu też nie zachwyca. Istnieją biografie, które czyta się jak powieść sensacyjną, ta do tego gatunku nie należy. Pozycja literacko plasuje się w okolicach bloga na nieco wyższym poziomie. Powtarzają się błędy stylistyczne i gramatyczne (tłumaczenie panów Arkadiusza Belczyka i Przemysława Hejmeja). Do tego dochodzą błędy merytoryczne oraz nieścisłości związane z opisywanymi zdarzeniami bądź filmami. Najwyraźniej nie pomogła konsultacja Tomasza Raczka.
Najgorszą stroną "Sekretnego Życia" są streszczenia filmów. Fabuła jest opisywana dość dokładnie (zwłaszcza późniejsze filmy) a w kilku przypadkach (np. "Public Enemies") autor nie mógł się powstrzymać się przed opowiedzeniem zakończenia. Dlatego serdecznie odradzam tę pozycję tym, którzy nie widzieli wszystkich filmów Deppa a chcieli by je kiedyś zobaczyć.
Ostatni rozdział został dopisany przez Elżbietę Ciaparę, która równie średnio poradziła sobie z tematem, nie odbiegając tym samym od przyjętej konwencji.
Podsumowując: najwyraźniej zapomniano, że do pisania biografii potrzebny jest talent pisarski i dziennikarski. Nie jestem przekonana, czy cena 44,90 (Empik) nie jest zbyt wygórowaną kwotą za 411 stron bloga na papierze.

[Katelyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This probably has to be the best Johnny Depp biography about Johnny Depp that I have ever read. I really enjoyed the quotes that it talked about. And also it talked about some things that I have never heard about Johnny Depp before. Which was very interesting.

[Emily Rendall · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you want to know about 'The Secret World of Johnny Depp' do not buy this book. If you want to briefly know about the films he has made then this book is for you. Deeply disappointed.

[Marnee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written Autobiography outlining his career right up til 2006. The main focal point was on his acting a musical career with aspects of personal life mixed in. It was enjoyable to read with some amazing quotes not just from him but others. I enjoyed how this biography allowed us to see why Johnny was picked for the roles he played and how he made acquaintances along the way either through music or acting. It was very insightful and I look forward to seeing if there is a more recent one done or not.

[Natalia Stornello · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am such a huge Johnny Depp fan, and I loved this in-depth look into his career. The author really analyzed his works and the reasoning behind the movies he chose to star in. I devoured this book so quickly, and I’m sad that the book stops at 2005. I would’ve loved to hear more about his career and personal life. But nevertheless, I adored this book and I’m so glad that I took the time to read it.

[PATRICIA GLOYD · Rating 3 out of 5]

More about Drops roles than his life

I chose this rating because the story was more about his various roles and issues surrounding the making of his movies. Informative but too much about the movies and scenes. The title did say the secret world not the secret life. It gave me an insight on how he operates in his environment.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been a big fan of his which is why I enjoyed this book so much. It tells you about his career and success.

[wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

so many incorrect things that EVERYONE knows...right off the bat it made me not want to even read this. the book really isn't about johnny at all. it is about his film roles.

[Julian H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book tells a lot about the filmography of Johnny Depp. Through his decision making and his work you can get to know allot about him.

[aleksandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️
Dużo informacji na temat filmów Deppa, mniej o jego życiu prywatnym. Dla mnie na plus, ale jeżeli ktoś jest zainteresowany sferą prywatną to raczej odradzam. Są tu same powrzechne informacje

[Donna · Rating 1 out of 5]

A fairly rushed biography, clearly written and published with the design to capitalise on the success of Pirates of the Caribbean and its sequels. There were numerous spelling and grammar mistakes made throughout.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Umm how can you not love a book about the most wonderful actor on the face of the earth. Just kidding. Great book I read it for a project. It gave a real idea of who he is but didn't make you feel as though you were knowing things about someone that they didn't want you to know.

[Nur · Rating 3 out of 5]

It helped me understand better Johnny's personality and all he had to go through to obtain a success that he never really pursued. Interesting, althoug, personally, a bit hard to follow sometimes with so many names of people I don't know and references.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

An OK biography with some good photos. It goes up to when he did Sleepy Hollow. Got a bit repetitive at the end.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading this book about his life some how I like him less now. I will always love his movies however.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent biography and insight into the mysterious man that is Johnny Depp. I love that he isn't afraid to speak his mind, the quotes from the man himself often made me smile :)

[Kylene Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

Felt like I was reading a movie review and tabloid combined. WOuld not recommend this book. Bummer.

[Jackie]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11271124

[Mathilda · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want to know about the films Johnny Depp played in, yes go for it, but overall an average book, nothing wow or outstanding.

[Sue Kozlowski · Rating 1 out of 5]

Non-fiction. Biography. I love Johnny Depp but this was not good. Can tell that the author just read magazine articles and wrote this. Depp was born in Kentucky, June 9, 1963.

[Jacek · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started really good, but last 30% of the book was just copy/paste from Johnny's movies with no additional background data (totally opposite to the first half).

[Fernanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://www.segredosemlivros.com/2013/...

[Huguette Larochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

i like it , easy to read, and good biography.I enjoy reading it.