This time the victim is Commodore Minxie, a fellow blogger, who, even though she is clearly a long-time Depp fan, didn’t truly understand what the Depp Effect was really all about.
It seems that she was able to meet the man during filming for Public Enemies at the Santa Anita racetrack, and she and the friends she had with her at the time were blown away by his sweetness and his generosity towards his fans, which will come as no surprise to those of us who’ve had similar experiences.
As you may know if you’ve read my older posts, I’ve had the honour of meeting Johnny Depp three times now, and on one of those occasions I was extremely privileged to have the chance to chat with him in an uncrowded situation. You may think that you’d be so tongue-tied that you can’t think of a word to say, but he is just so sweet, and so good at talking to people, that you feel, for those few minutes, that you’re the only person in the world of any interest to him and the conversation will flow.
At the same time, he is humble. So many people use those same words about him; sweet and humble. And that’s because it’s true – there is absolutely no feeling that you are in the presence of a Great Actor and Superstar. He clearly doesn’t feel that way about himself, and therefore in no way comes across as being conscious of any such thing. It’s a bit like meeting up with a very old and dear friend you haven’t seen for years.
Only different.
You see, the sad thing is that when you’ve met up with that old friend from years ago you can exchange phone numbers and arrange to meet again, but when your ‘old friend’ is Johnny Depp, that clearly isn’t an option. And meeting him like that, away from the glitz and glamour and frenzy of an official media circus event will alter the way you feel about him forever.
So this is the Depp Effect. He is now a real person to you, not just an actor, a superstar, or an idol on a pedestal. However, unlike many actors, superstars and pedestal-idols, Johnny Depp is worth your time. He is a genuinely super-nice person. Sure, he has ordinary, human flaws – reputedly a fearsome temper is among them – but he is a good man. Even the papparazzi can’t dig up any real dirt on him .. although they may not be trying too hard, because rumour has it they like and respect him, too. Most of them, anyway.
And so he is inspirational. Having experienced what it’s like to be in the presence of such an awesome personality, you want to be like that too. You want to be the one to make time for people and watch them smile. You want to be the one who is able to do nice things for people without feeling you have to shout about it. And you want to be the one who can feel free to do what you like without having to conform to anyone else’s standards.
For me, that meant learning that I, too, could say ‘Fuck it!’ and still be a likeable person – even if my kids do think I’m insane.
I may need a little more practice before I’m up to the Depp standard, though. Best keep trying, huh?
perfectly understood. You heard about the hat and the boy while you were away special man sandy ibeati
sandy ks last blog post..come here you – Be my toy for today !!!
Yes, indeed, Sandy. He is a special man – and he’s especially kind to kids and people with disabilities or illnesses.
This is tremendous! I love hearing these things about one of, in my opinion (anyone agree?) the greatest actors of our time. To tell you the truth, though, I’m not really surprised. I don’t know if it’s just bits and pieces I’ve inadvertently picked up of his public appearances (since I don’t really follow him), or if it somehow comes across in his acting, but it’s very easy to picture him as a truly nice guy. And now I come over here and learn all this stuff–it’s very sweet, to say the least, and your enthusiasm is infectious. Consider yourself blogrolled! (If you could reciprocate, that’d be great!)
PS: Let the kids wonder. It’s good for ‘em!
A. Deckers last blog post..Art Carnival
You know, I haven’t gone back and read your older posts, but I always wondered why your blog was called the Depp Effect. Now I know! I met a great guy like that once, Steven Tyler (Aerosmith). What an awesome, sweet guy. Like Depp did for you, he made me feel like I was the only person in the room. I’ll never forget that meeting.
Peace – D
We saw him interviewed on the actor’s studio a couple of years ago, and he made a positive impression. I’m sure meeting him in person must be light years away from that.
I just totally respect him for what he does for kids at Great Ormond Street – quietly and without courting publicity for it – but just because he was so grateful for what the hospital did for his own child.
A Decker – Thank you! Yes, I agree that he’s one of the greatest, but I guess you’d expect that from me, huh? And ‘let the kids wonder’ – well, yeah. They’re grown, and I do. They sigh and roll their eyes, but one of them told me the other day that their friends are jealous, so that’s good. LOL!
DP/Momma – So Steve Tyler is the same? Doesn’t surprise me – he looks sweet, too!
RHC – Mmm. The Actor’s Studio interview is beloved of pretty much all Depp fans. He was completely charming in that, wasn’t he? He’s pretty much the same in person as he was on that show. But yes, light years away from watching him on the screen when he’s right there in front of you. Or wrapped around you, as the case may be – he’s a great hugger.
Jane – Indeed, yes! And when he went to hand over a sizeable donation from his own money, he stayed for over an hour reading to the kids, all dressed up in his Jack Sparrow costume. No publicity, he just thought it would be a nice thing to do.
Hello…. Thank you for sharing my blog with your readers. I am truly honored. It truly was the MOST incredible experience of my life. Johnny just seems to have an “aura” about him… its hard to put into words. He is soft spoken, gentle and kind. You just get the “feeling” that he is genuine and sincere. It truly is a “DEPP-EFFECT”.
*laughs* Yes, he is a great hugger! You can feel his energy… and when he looks you in the eyes, you feel like he is looking directly into your soul.
Again, thanks for sharing my blog. And I loved your thoughts on Johnny!!!!
Commodore Minxie
Minxies last blog post..My Johnny Depp-Effect Moment…..
Hi Minxie! Thanks for visiting – and for writing the post which inspired this one! You know, despite having met him three times, I still haven’t seen his eyes… I have crap eyesight in less than perfectly lit conditions, and the first two occasions were in very bright sun, and with the light behind him, AND he was wearing shades. The third was at dusk, and again he was wearing shades. One day, perhaps, I will be able to look right into those beautiful brown eyes. One can only hope!
Hi Jay… Happy 4th of July to you!
Oh, sorry about the eyes love. His eyes are definitely something to behold!
Can I ask…. where is the wax statue located? Oh and I loved the photoshopped pic of JD on the horse! That was great!!!
Minxies last blog post..My Johnny Depp-Effect Moment…..
Happy 4th July to you, too, Minxie! The wax Johnny is in the Madame Tussaud’s in Las Vegas. I have a great pic of Other Half holding his hat over Johnny’s face, and attempting to strangle him – all in good fun, of course. LOL!
Re the photoshopped pic – thanks! I had fun doing that. I was limited because I won’t use copyrighted pics in my blog unless I get permission, so it had to be one I’d taken myself. The horse in the field is about ten minutes walk from here, I only wish the man were.
LOL…. the horse is beautiful! Is that really a gypsy vanner? I thought they were only black and white in color….
Yeah, that would be sweet if JD was that close too….
Thanks for the info on the wax Johnny, I will have to check that out when next I get to Vegas…
Minxies last blog post..My Johnny Depp-Effect Moment…..
It’s certainly what we call a Gypsy Vanner or Gypsy Cob on this side of the Pond – it may be different in the US. I think piebald is the most common colour though.
I do so love those horses….. thanks again for the info!!!
Have a wonderful day!!!!! And thanks again!!!!
I’ve never met Johnny and probably never will, but somehow it doesn’t matter. I feel I’ve known him all my life and that I know him as well as I know myself. He could not be any more of a real person to me if he were sitting here right now, sipping coffee and asking me about my day. To me, that sums up the incredible and inimitable magic that is Johnny.
Jennys last blog post..From July Forth
Jenny – I agree, it doesn’t matter. Before I met him, I felt as you do, and he was pretty much exactly as I expected.
Ahh yes he is a treasure to be sure. Ten/Eleven years ago he smiled his way into my heart and made me want to be a better person, to myself as much as to everyone else and because of Johnny I started giving myself permission to say I’m ok, I’m fine and I can say ‘fuck it’ if people don’t get me. I don’t do starstruck or collect autographs but he’s as Jay says, so much more like a friend. I do have his and I swear I can still feel the warmth of his hand between my shoulder blades. He is a great hugger, a sweet, humble, talented artist and an all round good man.
There, see? Jeni understands!