The Life and Career of Hollywood Icon Johnny Depp

His first movie role came with a bloodbath. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) marked Johnny Depp’s film debut, and it was a memorable one—his character, Glen, gets sucked into a bed and sprayed into the ceiling in a geyser of blood. Though in a secondary role, the impact was lasting.

It wasn’t glamorous, and he wasn’t the lead, but his dark-eyed stare and quiet intensity stuck with viewers. It was a strong opening move for someone who never trained in acting. Wes Craven gave him the part mostly on looks, unaware he was launching a decades-long Hollywood transformation.