Johnny Depp's Greatest Moments

Johnny Depps Greatest Moments

Johnny Depp has come a long way since being handily dispatched by Freddy Krueger in 1984's 'A Nightmare on Elm Street.' He's earned eight Golden Globe nominations and three Oscar nods, romanced a bevy of beautiful women and played parts as diverse as a scissor-handed outcast, a swashbuckling pirate, a creepy candy maker and a homicidal barber.

With his buzzed-about turn as Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger in 'Public Enemies' in theaters this July, we look back at the beloved actor's greatest moments. And, yes, one of them involves a "Wino Forever" tattoo. -- By Tom DiChiara

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Easy 'Street'

After moving to Los Angeles at the age of 20, Depp married makeup artist Lori Allison and, through her friend Nic Cage, found an agent and landed his first film role, in Wes Craven's 1984 horror classic 'A Nightmare on Elm Street.' His character in the film got swallowed by his bed (seriously), and his marriage didn't fare much better (it lasted just two years) -- but Depp's career would soon become anything but a 'Nightmare.'

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New Line / Everett Collection

'Platoon' Player

In 1986, Depp made the leap from B movies to Oscar bait with a small role in Oliver Stone's acclaimed Vietnam War film 'Platoon.' The movie scored eight Academy Award nominations and won four, including Best Picture and Best Director. Sadly, Depp didn't get a nod -- but all in due time ...

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Orion Pictures / Everett Collection

Career 'Jump'-Start

Johnny's career really took off in 1987 when he landed the role of undercover cop Tom Hanson on '21 Jump Street,' one of the fledgling Fox network's first hit shows. Though 'Jump Street' won him heartthrob status and legions of adoring teen fans, Depp soon grew bored (stupid success!) and negotiated his way off the series halfway through his six-year deal in order to focus on film.

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Fox / Everett Collection

A Cut Above

In his first (but certainly not last) collaboration with visionary director Tim Burton, Depp wowed audiences as the eccentric, blade-fingered title character in 1990's 'Edward Scissorhands.' He earned his first Golden Globe nomination for the role; eat your heart out, Freddy Krueger -- your knife fingers are no match for the artistry of 'Scissorhands.'

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20th Century Fox / Everett Collection

Ink Heart

Shortly before starring together in 'Scissorhands,' Depp and up-and-coming actress Winona Ryder met at a movie premiere and began dating. They were engaged five months later and, soon after, Johnny could be seen sporting a "Winona Forever" tattoo on his right biceps. Sadly, their relationship didn't last forever and, when the pair split three years later, Depp had the ink altered to read "Wino Forever." We respect that.

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Jim Smeal, WireImage.com

Hi, 'Joon'

Preferring to star in fare just a little to the left of normal, Depp took on the role of a Buster Keaton/Charlie Chaplin wannabe who romances a mentally ill woman (Mary Stuart Masterson) in 1993's 'Benny & Joon.' He did all of the complicated physical comedy routines depicted in the film himself, and his hard work paid rich dividends in the form of his second Golden Globe nod.

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MGM / Everett Collection

Big Bro to Leo

The worlds of future box office heavies Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio collided when they played brothers in Lasse Hallstrom's critically acclaimed 1993 indie 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape?' While Depp's older bro was the glue that held his on-screen family together, it was Leo who scored a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nod (his first), for playing the mentally challenged Arnie. Obviously, that's what was eating Gilbert.

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Paramount / Everett Collection

Special 'Ed'

For his second foray into the world of Tim Burton movies, Depp portrayed the eponymous pencil-moustache-sporting, angora-sweater-loving, legendarily awful B-movie director in 1994's 'Ed Wood.' The role earned Johnny his third Globe nomination, an accolade which we attribute to his penchant for the "crazy eyes" (see photo).

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Buena Vista / Everett Collection

Kiss Him, Kate

Johnny met supermodel Kate Moss at the trendy New York bistro Cafe Tabac in February of 1994, and the two immediately began a hot and heavy -- and very tumultuous -- relationship. They split in 1998 after one engagement, one extremely trashed New York hotel room (for which Depp was arrested) and numerous public blowouts. But hey, they did make a photogenic couple.

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Kevin Mazur, WireImage.com