Patrick Hasburh had his mind set on Johnny Depp for the leading role as officer Tom Hanson, but Depp refused the part and to take it a step further - Depp wouldn't even look at the script for the pilot. Since the production company had a commitment to film the pilot, a young actor by the name of Jeff Yagher was cast in the role as Tom Hanson and filming of the pilot began. It took only three weeks for producers to realize that Yagher was not working out in the lead role. Knowing that Depp had outright refused the role in the beginning, Cannell and Hasburgh once again approached Depp, but this time in a more serious manner, with ethics. The young Johnny Depp, with only A Nightmare on Elm Street, Private Resort, Slowburn, and Platoon under his belt, had to make a decision between a fear of commitment and security. Thankfully for Johnny Depp Fans, Depp chose security and signed the contract.
Depp signed on for the lead role as Officer Tom Hanson, replacing Yagher after much of the pilot had already been filmed. This meant only one thing - The pilot had to be re-shot to introduce their new, fresh-faced, lead character, Johnny Depp. Depp stunned the producers with his talent and ability to bring Officer Tom Hanson to life in the pilot, confirming what the producers already knew, Depp was the number one choice for the role. Depp's work was also enough to convince the FOX Broadcasting Network that this series had serious potential, enough potential that the producers changed the name of the series from the original Jump Street Chapel, the the now infamous 21 Jump Street.
To quote Patrick Hasburgh, in reference to Johnny Depp's role as Tom Hanson, "We Knew We Had the Right Man for the Job". Hasburgh was not the only producer impressed by Johnny Depp. Steve Beers, supervising producer, has been know to say that Johnny Depp has this presence about him, an unusual personality, and Depp is one of the nicest people he had ever worked with. The rest - well - it's Jump Street History.
For the most part, after Depp's signing of the contract, the cast and crew of 21 Jump Street remained stable, with a few exceptions. Frederic Forrest, who was cast as Captain Richard Jenko left the series after 7 episodes. Forrest was replaced by Steven Williams who was brought on as the Jump Street Program's new boss, Captain Adam Fuller. Patrick Hasburgh also left the series after Season Two. Hasburgh's leaving the series not only had an effect on the content of the show, but on Depp as well. One surprising addition to the cast of 21 Jump Street was Johnny Depp's lifelong friend, Sal Jenco. Jenco impressed the producers of 21 Jump Street so much with his ability to force air out of his mouth on to hard surfaces and making himself look like a blowfish, he was put on 21 Jump Street's payroll. Jenco was cast as "Blowfish" an extra in the series to play the role of the janitor for the Jump Street Chapel, or maintenence engineer as he once referred to himself.
21 Jump Street survived these changes and continued to be a consistent television series that had a positive impact on all age groups dealing with issues such as sexual abuse, AIDS, drugs, drunk driving, gangs, homeless teenagers, rape, vandalism, arson, and even touched on war in other countries. 21 Jump Street aired during Sunday Evening Primetime and it's ratings soared. 21 Jump Street's success was so great that the series' ratings in the late 1980's and early 1990's were higher at times than that of the ever popular "60 Minutes". Well, now - What More Can You Say?
21 Jump Street Creators and Producers:Creator/Producer.......Stephen J. Cannell Executive Producer.....Patrick Hasburgh (Seasons 1 - 2) Executive Producer.....Steve Beers Executive Producer.....Bill Nuss
21 Jump Street Cast:Johnny Depp............Officer Tom Hanson Peter DeLuise..........Officer Doug Penhall Holly Robinson.........Officer Judy Hoffs Dustin Nguyen..........Officer H.T. Ioki Frederic Forrest.......Capt. Richard Jenko (Episodes 1-7) Steven Williams........Capt. Adam Fuller Richard Grieco.........Officer Dennis Booker (Seasons 3&4) Sal Jenco..............The Blowfish
