At first glance it seems like Johnny Depp can do everything—but can he dance? The actor, rockstar, singer has certainly has many skills under his belt, but many fans have been wondering if dancing is one of them.
It appears that Johnny Depp can dance, but that doesn’t mean he likes to. The Pirates of The Caribbean star has danced in several films, but he’s certainly not a fan of it and actually considers dancing to be one of his greatest fears.
When it comes to performing, it seems like there’s nothing Johnny Depp can’t do—he’s one of the world’s most talented actors, he’s got an awesome band filled with well-known rockstars, and he’s shown great skill when it comes to singing and playing guitar.
While he has certainly impressed audiences and viewers with his dancing skills, the actor isn’t a fan of this type of performance art.
Born for the Arts
From a very early age, Johnny Depp quickly immersed himself in the world of the arts. He was in a garage band at just 16—one that got so successful that they ended up touring with big names like Iggy Pop and the Ramones.
When it came to things like playing guitar or singing (or acting after he got his start in the 80’s), it seems like his skill came pretty naturally. He’s always loved music and while dealing with a rough childhood, music was the one thing he turned to and showed an unwavering passion for.
And while his performance in dancing roles in films may indicate otherwise, Depp himself isn’t very confident about his dancing skills.
Dancing Movies
The 1990 movie Cry-Baby was the first role where Depp was required to dance—and where he expressed his dislike for dancing. The film required him to sing a song and do a corresponding dance as his rockabilly heartthrob character talked about “bein’ young and doin’ time.”
In one of his earliest films, 1993’s Benny & Joon, Depp got another of dancing in a movie. His character Sam was trying to impress a waitress at a local diner by dancing. For those of us who haven’t seen the dancing in the film, it wasn’t, shall we say, a conventional style of dancing.
His charm worked and Depp’s character was able to impress everyone in the diner by dancing with rolls. That’s right, some of his first on-screen moves were with dinner rolls!
Depp later went on to dance alongside Juliette Binoche in Chocolat.
He would then, however, have trouble fulfilling the dancing scene in the Alice and Wonderland movie. The dance, the Futterwack, became so problematic for the actor that he actually ended up hurting himself.
Depp, then 46 years old, had trouble with the dance craze that was inspired by the Lewis Caroll book. After doctor’s orders, Depp had to take some time off from the dancing. For anyone who’s seen the film, you’ll know that he eventually pulled those dance moves off.
He’s Capable (But Not a Fan) of Dancing
The interview during his early years as an actor says it all—Depp not only dislikes dancing, but is also frightened of it. In fact, dancing could be considered one of Johnny Depp’s biggest fears. He doesn’t understand it and even said himself that “it’s not my thing.”
While he may not think of himself as an accomplished dancer, many fans would disagree. He’s impressed viewers and cinema audiences in not only Chocolat, but also films like Public Enemies, Tourist, and Pirates of the Caribbean IV.
So, like anything Depp sets out to do, it appears that we can add dancing to the list of things that he’s not only capable of, but also pretty good at. He may hate getting in front of the camera to bust out a few dance moves, but his fans certainly appreciate his effort.
So, Johnny Depp, if you’re reading this, you can dance, and we’d appreciate it if you keep impressing us with your moves.