Johnny Depp: In his own words

“I guess the era got me -- the ‘30s, ‘40s and even the ‘20s. I was fascinated with the old Bogey movies, with Cagney movies or even Fred Astaire.” Los Angeles Times, June 28, 2009  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

“I haven’t got to that point in my career yet where I have to sell out and make a bunch of dough. It may happen, you never know.” West magazine, Feb. 14, 2004  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

“At a certain point you get one of those moments where you just go, ‘OK, apparently this is the path you’re on now. Just go a little farther and see what happens.’ ” Esquire, May 2004  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

“My biggest stage-fright moment is anything where you have to go and talk in front of people.” Entertainment Weekly, Jan. 14, 2005  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

“There’s been many times when I’ve teetered on the brink of absolute madness.” Rolling Stone, Feb. 10, 2005  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

“I was definitely never a crowd-pleaser.” Movie Magic magazine, 2007  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

“What I love to do is paint people’s faces, you know, their eyes. Because you want to find that emotion, see what’s going on behind their eyes.” Vanity Fair, July 2009  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

“I enjoy playing someone with slightly twisted social skills.” The Cinema Source, 2005  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

“It’s just too weird. If the choice is between being constantly gawked at and sitting in a chair in a dark room, I prefer the dark room.” The Telegraph, June 25, 2009  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

“I’m so removed from it that I don’t know anything. I mean, I don’t know who anybody is. I don’t know who’s famous. I don’t know who’s not famous. I don’t know who’s rich, who’s poor, who’s successful, who’s a drag. I don’t know anybody... and its great.” Ugo.com, 2005  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)