Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka

JOHNNY DEPP (Willy Wonka) has earned both critical and popular acclaim for his unique work in a variety of memorable feature films. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is Depp's fourth collaboration with director Tim Burton and he is providing the voice of Victor in Burton's new stop-motion animation feature, Corpse Bride.

Recently, the actor received an Academy Award nomination, Golden Globe nomination, Screen Actor's Guild nomination and BAFTA nomination for his role as J.M. Barry in Mark Forster's Finding Neverland in which he starred opposite Kate Winslet and Freddie Highmore.

Depp also received an Academy Award nomination, Golden Globe nomination, BAFTA nomination and a Screen Actor's Guild Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in the action adventure Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. He is currently filming Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and Pirates of the Caribbean 3. He will next star in Laurence Dunmore's Libertine, in which he plays a 17th Century womanizing poet opposite John Malkovich and Samantha Morton.

Depp's other screen credits include David Koepp's Secret Window, Robert Rodriguez's Once Upon A Time in Mexico, Albert and Allen Hughes' From Hell, Ted Demme's Blow, Lasse Hallstom's romantic comedy Chocolat, Julian Schnabel's Before Night Falls, Sally Potter's The Man Who Cried, Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow, Roman Polanski's The Ninth Gate and Terry Gilliam's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Hailed as the "Best Actor" of his generation for his performance in Mike Newell's Donnie Brasco with Al Pacino, Depp has also starred in Jim Jarmusch's Dead Man and in Jeremy Leven's Don Juan Demarco in which he starred as a man convinced he is the world's greatest lover, opposite legendary actors Marlon Brando and Faye Dunaway.

It was his compelling performance in the title role of Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands that established Depp as one of Hollywood's most sought-after talents and earned him a Best Actor Golden Globe nomination. He was honored with a second Golden Globe nomination for his work in the offbeat love story Benny & Joon, directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik. Depp reunited with Burton for the critically acclaimed Ed Wood, for which his performance garnered him his third Best Actor Golden Globe nomination.

Other films include Lasse Halstrom's What's Eating Gilbert Grape?, Emir Kusturica's Arizona Dream and John Badham's Nick of Time.

Depp began his career as a musician, joining a rock group named "Kids," which eventually took him to Los Angeles. When the band broke up, he turned to acting and earned his first major acting job in Nightmare on Elm Street. He went on to earn roles in several films including Oliver Stone's Academy Award-winning Platoon. Depp then won the role that would prove to be his breakthrough, as undercover detective Tom Hanson on the popular Fox television show 21 Jump Street. He starred on the series for four seasons before segueing to the big screen in the lead role of John Waters' Cry Baby.

Depp starred and made his feature directorial debut opposite Marlon Brando in The Brave, a film based on the novel by Gregory McDonald. Depp co-wrote the screenplay with his brother, D.P. Depp.

About Johnny Depp: www.girl.com.aujohnny-depp-willy-wonka.htm
More on Charlie and the Chocolate Factorywww.girl.com.aucharlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-story.htm
Interview www.girl.com.aucharlie-and-the-chocolate-factory.htm