This interview is from 1993 and the main focus is on the movie "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" directed by Swedish director Lasses Hallmarks.

Some parts of the interview were only in keyword form, and the article as a whole is clearly not complete as there is no introduction and some paragraphs are in seemingly random order. So if it seems to begin and end rather abruptly, it's not my fault. :-) It's probably only a draft of an article with an interview copied from a tape recorder. There is one reference to GQ magazine ( presumably the article from 1993 ), so it's a little difficult to tell what's original and what's taken from other sources. Mettle

Here's the translation:

I = Interviewer, JD = Johnny Depp

[ ] = my additions

I: When you first came here you took an acting job because you couldn't get a gig.

JD: After ten years in this town it still feels like a coincidence. I can't make up my mind.

I: You lived in hotel rooms long before you rented a house.

JD: Yes. I had all my stuff stored away and lived in different hotels. I have lived everywhere in this town. There was a time when I didn't want anyone to know where I was. I liked the thought that everything I had could fit into one bag and I could leave anytime. Kind of a romantic thing. A "drifter" thing. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that my family moved a lot when I was a kid. We lived in lots of places, once we even moved into the house next door. We were like a band of modern gypsies, it's in the blood.

I: You have Indian blood in your veins, maybe that explains it?

JD: Mm. Both my mother and father have Cherokee blood. But our family also originates from Germany and Ireland.

I: When did you move here?

JD: 1983. With my band. I was married at that time. I lived in various apartments with my wife. Later on I moved by myself. To Vancouver, then LA, then Baltimore. I've always been on the road.

I: You never thought of yourself as an actor?

JD: Never. In 1984, I was a guitar player. I made no money, was working in telex marketing and played a few gigs. And then suddenly, "Nightmare [ On Elm Street ]", $ 1,200 a week.

I: But if the music had paid equally well, would you have continued doing that?

JD: Yes. I saw acting as a way of financing my musical career, I thought it would be for a couple of years.

I: Have you changed your mind?

JD: Yes. I'm still a musician and I still play guitar, but it's more an escape from reality. I like making noise, creating is what I want to do. When I put together a band and play, it's mostly to be free and do what I want, create, but I don't sing.

I: What kind of music?

JD: Hard rock influenced by the early 1970s. Alice Cooper, The Doors, Aerosmith, Sex Pistols. The Clash, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Velvet Underground, they were all inspirational to me and still are. Also the New York bands Deadboys and Ramones. But lately I listen to everything: Johnny Cash, Tom Waits, flamenco, African music.

I: About your skull ring: is that a rock celebrity influence?

JD: A group of friends all have the same ring. A ring for life, a reminder of life, and of death, I guess (laughs).

I: Is it a "live fast - die young" ring?

JD: No, it's more a "you are here now" thing - cherish it because in five minutes it could be over.

I: Are you scared of growing old?

JD: I never think about it. I like the thought of being sixty years old and having a lot of kids running around, and telling stories about old Hollywood and musicians I have known. But I make no plans and make no promises. I want a place, settle down, photographs on the walls, paintings. I've always liked the thought. Now more than ever, I turned 30 in June.

I: What do your closest friends do for a living?

JD: My friends are actors, musicians, tattoo artists, construction workers. I don't distinguish between them. I don't stick to one particular group.

I: Isn't it difficult to maintain friendships when you're famous?

JD: Not particularly. It depends on how you look at it. Maybe if you only socialize with actors. Most of my friends are musicians. I've also been friends with Nick Cage for ten years.

I: How did you approach the part of Gilbert [ Grape ]?

JD: Always when I read a script and..these images come to me, you know. Images of things, people I have known. Gilbert is a guy who is tied to his home, something I can relate to, in a way. Similar to the way I grew up. Gilbert reminded me of a guy who once saved my life. Red hair, skew teeth, thin.

I: Was it difficult to play Gilbert?

JD: I had a tough time during the shooting. I was sad, couldn't really figure out what was going on in my life. Shooting the movie helped me focus on important things. Gilbert's thoughts are in the book, not in the script, that's what I tried to show. I was interested in what was going on in his mind. It's a difficult role, he is the eyes and the ears of the audience. It was a great chance to get this part.

I: Are there any similarities to your own family?

JD: Only symbolically. I recognize myself in the bond with the family and the pain of leaving. Love and loyalty. The interesting thing was the dark loyalty that almost destroys you. He [ Gilbert ] has denied himself the possibility of his own dreams, thrown everything aside to help his family, his mother, his sisters and his brother.

I: He is unselfish, how about you? Actors are known for having enormous egos.

JD: Ego is an actor's worst enemy, because you do things just to satisfy yourself. Acting is about working together and being true to the character and the script. It's not about showing off. There's a time and place for everything, just pick the right occasion.

I: You have played several characters who are sensitive and vulnerable. Are they like you in any way?

JD: There is definitely something in all my characters. You have to take parts of your own feelings and history, and use that, you know. In "Edward [ Scissorhands ]" and "Benny and Joon" there is a certain safety in hiding. Gilbert doesn't hide. He's just there. But, sure, I have some of it in me.

I: Doesn't Gilbert hold back his emotions? Are you like that too?

JD: Absolutely. I have banged my head against the wall many times. Smashed many telephones. The fact is that I most often smash up my phones. With my head, with my hands, against the door, the walls, everything.

I: Maybe because your phone rings all the time?

JD: No no, that's not it. I think a lot of people are like me, some things have to get out of your system and if it doesn't, it just builds up inside you until you explode. Acting can help create an outlet for your feelings, like when I tear apart the basement in the movie. It feels great, man. I'm calm now, but I'm keeping a straight face. I'm probably acting right now. I think people act every day. In real life. There are a lot of things you want to say, but can't.

I: About Hallström, how did you get along?

JD: Very well. I have seen many sides to Lasse. He was great to work with. He's an actor's director. He has an alarm system built in, no bullshit. And that's a gift. I had a hard time, was lonely, and I didn't know if I did it on purpose, for Gilbert or because of my own life. Lasse was understanding, helped me. You have to have a sense of humor and be able to laugh. We developed various methods, used vegetables to express certain things, taught me Swedish phrases, "Jag har en liten ratta i min hals", which means "I have a small rat in my throat". Things like that, we used feelings and humor.

I: What kind of tough time were you going through?

JD: It's very vague. It probably didn't have anything to do with Winona, sure we had our ups and downs, but it wasn't that. It was gray and dark, I was anxious, I wanted to get out of my skin, or just cry or just drink myself stupid and talk nonsense. I'm glad that period is over.

I: How did you get through it?

JD: I just kept going. Did my thing. It wasn't anything particular that made things better. I don't like to be in gray areas, I prefer the extremities, at least then you know you're alive.

I: How about your own film, how is that going?

JD: I have written the script with my brother. It's about how people use religion so it becomes dangerous, and they lose the perspective on what religion is for. In some places they have holy war, here we have priests who take money from old ladies. It's a serious drama, kind of like "what would happen if God and the Devil met". I have done some short films that I like. It's cool to create, it's stimulating.

I: When you're out with your friends, what do you mostly talk about?

JD ( lights a cigarette ): Girls. Absolutely. I like talking about girls. Girls are good.

( Reference GQ )

I: It has been said that you have proposed to three girlfriends, is that true?

JD: I was married once, if that's what you mean.

I: No I'm talking about Winona, Shelly [ probably Sherilyn ] and Jennifer.

JD: Yeah, yeah, but I didn't do it at the same time. I'm a romantic.

I: Why didn't it work out?

JD: You know, there's a part of me, you know, that's very idealistic. A house, you know, kids running around, white picket fence, you know, station wagon, and, you know, a gold fish. [ An awful lot of "you knows", but that's the way it was written ] Then there's another part of me that likes being with a girl and throwing mud on each other, scream and shout, and nobody knows what going to happen. [ the last sentence is very sketchy, but I believe it's meant to describe a general reckless behavior, not violence ] I'm frustrated but hopeful. It didn't work for my parents. But that makes no difference. It helps no one. But that really had nothing to do with it. I had a good time with all of them, no matter what we did. Whether married or engaged.

I: How are things now?

JD: Ah, I'm fine. Life is good. I'm cool.

I: Any girls?

JD: Yep, a couple, no promises. It's great to be free. I: Do you think you'll meet the right woman?

JD: A part of me wants to believe it. But now I let things rest instead of forcing them to happen. When you go look for it, you never find it. I have no expectations, something will pop up.

I: Is it difficult to meet girls when you're famous?

JD: People ask why you look for girls among other actors. The fact is that you meet a lot of girls in this business, so that's just the way it is. That doesn't mean that I wouldn't like a waitress or someone who works for an insurance company, that has happened, but they know I'm Johnny Depp, the actor, and that makes things much harder. I have to know what they're interested in, the actor, the money, fame, or me. That's why it's easier with actors, they're in the same situation. When Sherilyn Fenn and I were together, it was perfect because neither of us had any money, we were totally broke. Winona and I were on the same level in our careers, to me that was obvious, but for most people it was a mystery.

I: What's the greatest misconception of you?

JD: Ah, I don't know ( laughs ). People don't expect a real person. I feel like I did when I was 17, a bit more laid back now, more paranoid and careful, but I'm the same. People don't expect that. They don't think I have feelings.

I: You get a lot of fan mail. A real heartbreaker.

JD: I don't want people to think about me in that way. I'm neither Don Juan, a heartbreaker, seducer or a freak, although the last one probably fits best. I don't think it's right to label people. Even the label "actor" is limiting. I want to do different things, write, do things.

I: What do you want to be written on your tombstone?

JD: Oh I've been asked that before, but I haven't been able to come up with an answer. Maybe just "Thank you". I don't know. The best I've seen is Jack Kerouac, he valued life. [ again a very sketchy sentence ] Kerouac is one of my biggest heroes.

I: What do you have to say about River Phoenix?

JD: I respected, and still respect, River. Great guy, sweet, intelligent, promising future. I hope people don't judge him for his last act on earth. People will understand that he was warm-hearted and kind and he made a mistake. I hope kids learn that when they are going through a crisis, drugs is not the answer, it just delays the inevitable. There are no winners in drugs and alcohol. Stay away from it.

I: Is it hard to control?

JD: There are some things you can't control, it controls you.

I: Maybe that's why it persists?

JD: People do drugs to escape. Drugs are a simple way out, an escape from pain, but there are other ways than to become an addict. Acting is one way, photography, writing, movies, parachuting, fishing, diving, exploring other worlds and still keep a clear mind. But marijuana is not dangerous. Nobody starts taking drugs because of it. It's natural, grows in nature. But crack, heroin, I've had too many friends who didn't get out, there are no winners.

[ From what I can tell, the last part of the article is more or less based on the 1993 article in GQ magazine, but still very sketchy ]

He is not the type who wears a watch, but he has a pretty good idea about time.

He has a cobalt blue Chevrolet pick-up truck from 1954 with a Corvette engine under the hood. And a 1951 Mercury. He wears old worker's boots, has many friends and gives money to sick children.

On film he is sensitivity personified: Look at the way he saves his mentally challenged brother in the new movie "[ What's Eating ] Gilbert Grape", the tear that runs down his cheek when he is moved in "Cry-Baby". The sad, sad eyes in "Edward Scissorhands" and the little innocent smile that lights up his face in'"Benny & Joon", when he realizes that the schizophrenic Joon hears his voice.

He lost his virginity at 13, got married at 20, divorced two years later, and then he proposed, proposed and proposed to Sherilyn Fenn, Jennifer Grey, and especially, Winona Ryder. During their almost four-year relationship they were regular tabloid material.

She bought a star for him, Depp tattooed her name on his right arm with the words "Winona Forever". Another features the name of his mother, Betty Sue.

"My tattoos are like a journal. I have four now and to attempt to remove some of them, would be like saying that it never happened. It's not like love just ended one day, she is so sweet. It's always a little weird, we used to do so many things together, go out and have a good time".

Johnny quit school at 16, experimented with drugs and moved to California to play guitar. "I'm convinced that my brain stopped evolving when I was 17".

He has been arrested twice, once for a fight in Vancouver, Canada, and once for jaywalking in Beverly Hills.

He paid Leonardo [ DiCaprio ] $ 500 for smelling a rancid sausage during filming, stole a crash helmet from a motorcycle that was parked in Sherilyn Fenn's driveway and painted it in bright colors, including the visor.

He bought the night club, The Viper Room, with another guitar player because he was sick and tired of other people's taste in decorating and music. He is known to have tried every drug he could get a hold of, but is now involved in the "Just Say No"-program.

"I think Johnny knew a lot about Gilbert", says Hallström. "I think he has been very close to that person".

"I poisoned myself a lot during the shoot, alcohol, bad food, no sleep, lots of cigarettes. It was really a lonely, fucking lonely time".

He grew up in Kentucky, moved around until he was 7. Before he left home at 20, he had lived in 30 different places. His parents divorced when he was 15. His father and sister live in Florida.

In his house there are strange collections of bugs, bats, a pigeon skeleton, clown paintings and photos of heroes. And a huge man with big tattoos, Depp's bodyguard.