Johnny Depp is one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation, known for his transformative and memorable live-action performances in films such as Edward Scissorhands, Pirates of the Caribbean, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Sweeney Todd. However, many fans may be surprised to learn of Depp’s equally impressive career in voice acting for animated films and television shows. While he got his start in live-action roles, Depp has shown incredible range and talent behind the microphone over the past two decades. Here is a deeper dive into some of Johnny Depp’s most notable and celebrated voice acting roles.

Rango (2011)

One of Depp’s most iconic and acclaimed voice roles to date is that of Rango, the title character in Gore Verbinski’s 2011 animated western comedy Rango. In the film, Rango is a pet chameleon who finds himself stranded in the desert town of Dirt after his terrarium falls from the back of his owner’s car. With no skills to survive in the harsh desert environment, Rango stumbles upon the town during a time of crisis and decides to pose as a tough, experienced gunslinger. Through his fabricated tales of daring adventures, Rango rises to become the town’s new sheriff.

To bring Rango to life, Depp utilized his incredible talent for transforming himself into distinct characters. He crafted a unique voice and personality for Rango – one that was eccentric, charming, and comedic while also conveying underlying insecurities and a desire to find his place in the world. Critics praised Depp’s vocal performance, with many agreeing it was one of his best. His voice captured Rango’s quirky mannerisms and brought immense likability and humor to the character. At the same time, Depp infused Rango with nuanced emotional layers, especially as he struggles with his identity issues and coming to terms with who he really is. Both children and adults connected strongly to Rango, due in large part to Depp’s brilliant voice work. His performance earned him numerous award nominations, including an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year. To this day, Rango remains one of Depp’s most celebrated voice roles.

Corpse Bride (2005)

Another animated classic featuring Johnny Depp’s vocal talents is Tim Burton’s 2005 stop-motion film Corpse Bride. In the gothic fantasy musical, Depp lent his voice to the role of Victor Van Dort, a shy young man from a wealthy family who is arranged to be married. On the day of his wedding, Victor gets lost in the woods and accidentally practices his vows on a rotting corpse bride, who rises from the grave believing they are married.

As with Rango, Depp imbued the character of Victor with layers of nuanced emotion. He captured Victor’s nervous yet kind demeanor, as well as his discomfort in high society situations due to his shy nature. When Victor encounters the strange new world of the land of the dead, Depp conveyed Victor’s confusion, fear and desire to return home in a believable manner. Burton and Depp had collaborated on many films prior, and their creative chemistry was on full display. Depp brought both humor and heart to the role of the hapless groom trapped in a bizarre supernatural scenario. His voice perfectly fit the film’s gothic yet whimsical atmosphere. Corpse Bride showcased Depp’s ability and artistry in bringing an animated character to life through vocal performance alone.

Guest Roles in Popular TV Shows

In addition to his leading roles, Johnny Depp has enjoyed making surprise cameo appearances by lending his voice to popular animated television shows. Some of his most memorable guest spots include:

King of the Hill (2004) – Depp brought his trademark eccentric flair to the role of Mr. Gerald “Gerhardt” Griff, Bobby Hill’s conspiracy theorist substitute teacher. With his unusual vocal cadence and manner of speech, Mr. Griff instantly became a fan-favorite character on the long-running animated sitcom.

SpongeBob SquarePants (2009) – Depp had a blast voicing the one-time character of Jack Kahuna Laguna, a carefree surfer dude who helps SpongeBob learn to relax. He injected plenty of comedic timing and laidback charm into this atypical role.

Family Guy (2012) – Depp took on a much darker role, playing the head of a taxidermied Peter Griffin. He used a sinister yet unhinged tone of voice to unnerve other characters, a stark contrast to his usual performances.

These cameo roles allowed Depp to flex his vocal chops in new genres and showcase even more range beyond his leading animated roles. Fans and critics enjoyed hearing Depp’s unique vocal stylings pop up in animated series outside of films.

Sherlock Gnomes (2018)

One of Johnny Depp’s most recent major voice roles was as the title character in the 2018 animated film Sherlock Gnomes. In the movie, Depp lends his voice to Sherlock Gnomes, a famous detective gnome who comes to London searching for his longtime friend and partner Dr. Watson. When Watson goes missing, Sherlock Gnomes must team up with a new protege named Gnomeo to solve the mystery of their disappearance.

For Sherlock Gnomes, Depp channeled his love of playing eccentric detectives, having previously portrayed Hunter S. Thompson and Inspector Barnaby. He brought Sherlock Gnomes to life with an appropriately British accent and mannerisms befitting the legendary detective. Depp ensured Sherlock Gnomes sounded simultaneously brilliant yet aloof, focused entirely on solving the case at hand. Reviews praised Depp for capturing the spirit of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic character in a way that worked perfectly for a family-friendly animated film. Once again, Depp proved he can transform even the most classic of characters into a distinctive vocal performance all his own.

Continued Success in Voice Acting

Over two decades after his first major voice role in 1997’s animated film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Johnny Depp continues to lend his talents to both animated films and television. He has more voice roles in development, ensuring Depp’s voice will be heard in new projects for years to come. Whether taking on leading parts or quick cameo appearances, Depp brings his raw talent, creativity, and dedication to every vocal performance. He consistently transforms himself vocally into wholly unique characters. Johnny Depp’s illustrious career has shown that behind the microphone, he is just as adept at immersing audiences in a character’s world as he is on the live-action screen. His voice work continues to be celebrated and appreciated by both industry professionals and fans alike. With his impressive range and abilities, Johnny Depp remains one of the most sought-after actors for voice roles in animation.