Johnny Depp is one of the most talented and versatile actors in the history of Hollywood. Even movie buffs who don’t care for the types of films in which Depp has routinely starred agree that the 60-year-old Kentucky native has a knack for embodying characters and giving them personas all their own.
Because of his talents, Depp was once one of the most sought-after actors in all of Hollywood, but a very public falling out between Depp and his ex-wife, whom he met on the set of the film Rum Diary, that began in 2017 changed the actor’s life in every way, and since Depp’s two defamation trials–one in the United Kingdom in 2020 and one in the United States in 2022–fans and non-fans alike have wondered what the actor’s net worth is and whether it’s been affected by Depp’s legal battle woes–and they answer often surprises them.
Details About Our Favorite Hollywood Stars
It’s always interesting to learn something new about our favorite actors and actresses. Fans often get so caught up in their fandom that they forget that Hollywood icons are still people, after all.
Even so, it’s interesting to learn about stars’ childhoods, where they’re from, whether they’re married and have children, what their middle names are (it’s John Christopher Depp, by the way), and, of course, what their net worth is, especially since fans usually equate a high net worth with success in Hollywood.
But the truth is that–because actors and actresses are people too–many of them make a fortune in Hollywood, and then, because of addictions to drugs, alcohol, or even simply high living, they end up spending much of their fortunes, and some even land themselves under mountains of debt.
Throughout Johnny Depp’s very public feud with ex-wife Amber Heard, whom he met on the set of the film The Rum Diary, rumors of the actor’s squandered fortune and speculation about his supposed lavish lifestyle were as much a part of the national headlines as stories surrounding the details of his defamation case against his former spouse.
Some outlets went so far as to speculate that Johnny Depp couldn’t possibly have a net worth indicative of his many successful roles in Hollywood, especially after it was reported that he spends $2 million a month on luxuries most of the population can only imagine or see in films.
How Did Depp Amass His Fortune?
Johnny Depp began his acting career in the early 1980s with a tiny role in the Wes Craven film Nightmare of Elm Street. Following his film debut, Depp had a recurring role on the television series 21 Jump Street before being tapped by director Tim Burton to play the title role in his 1990 film Edward Scissorhands. From that point, Depp became almost a household name–and was up for more acting roles that he could feasibly respond to.
His career also includes the roles of Ed Wood in the film of the same name in 1994, Willy Wonka in the Tim Burton and Warner Bros film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), and Sweeney Todd, the demon barber in the film by the same name. Before those films, Depp also starred in Donnie Brosco (1997) and became a father for the first time in 1999 with the birth of his daughter Lily-Rose Depp. Later that year, Depp played the role of Ichabod Crane in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow opposite actress Christina Ricci.
In 2002, his son, Jack Depp, was born. Both of his children are with model Vanessa Paradis, whom Depp dated for more than 14 years. In 2004, Depp starred as J.M. Barrie in Finding Neverland.
But Depp’s most memorable role is that of Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean film series, which began in 2003 with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, followed by Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006), Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011), and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017).
For all five of the swashbuckling films, Depp was paid a whopping $265 million.
Today, Depp also tours with the group, The Hollywood Vampires. Yes, Depp is a Hollywood Vampire alongside the likes of Alice Cooper, among others.
Johnny Depp Net Worth News
According to PinkVilla, more than 10 years ago, in 2012, Depp was the highest-paid actor on planet Earth, earning approximately $75 million a year, and in October 2023, his net worth was listed at more than $150 million, which is still impressive when fans consider that his ex-wife’s defamation and false accusations against Depp cost him many significant roles, including that of Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.
It’s important to note that despite a jury of his peers finding that Depp was not the abuser–and that his ex-wife was–Disney has yet to apologize to Johnny Depp. (It’s ok, though, because he’s already gotten the last word–and he did so brilliantly!)
As of January 2024, per MediaCoverage.com, the talented and humble Johnny Depp retains that net worth, again at approximately $150 million. And that’s despite the years since 2017 in which Depp has been passed up for roles in films simply because of Amber Heard’s vicious–and proven untrue–allegations of domestic abuse against him.
It’s also despite a multi-million-dollar divorce payout to Heard from Depp, years of legal fees paid to teams of legal counsel–not just a single attorney–expenses related to everyday life, providing for his two children until they were of age, and other expenditures.
Some have pointed out that Depp’s net worth should be much higher, as he has seen years during which he made $75 million in a twelve-month period. But rather than try to show line by line why Depp’s net worth is fine the way it is, this writer offers a question in response to such commentary and criticism: Why should it matter to anyone but Johnny Depp?
It isn’t the business of anyone outside of the famed actor, as it doesn’t affect anyone but Depp and those for whom he provides support. And because Depp is also known for his benevolence and generosity, there’s simply nothing more that needs to be said about the subject.
Here’s wishing Johnny Depp all the success in the world in the new year–and in the years that follow, and more than this, here’s wishing him peace and good companionship all the days of his life.