The Secret World of Johnny Depp: The Intimate Biography of Hollywood's Best-Loved Rebel [Hardcover]

Nigel Goodall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2006

The star of some of the best and most unconventional American films in recent history, Johnny Depp has also been a source of media fascination since the 90s. His film roles have always been idiosyncratic, earning him international respect and adoration—from Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, and Donnie Brasco to his Oscar-nominated turns as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean films and as J.M. Barrie in Finding Neverland. His good looks, oddball charm, and tempestuous love affairs have helped push him into the limelight and kept him there. Now, in this updated biography (originally titled What’s Eating Johnny Depp?), Nigel Goodall looks at his bad-boy image, his rise to fame, and his high-profile romances.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

While droves show up to see reclusive star Johnny Depp in the theaters, little is known about the unpredictable leading man's personal life; unfortunately, Goodall's attempt to go beyond the tabloid stories and Depp's bad boy image doesn't shed much light on the man or the talent responsible for some of modern Hollywood's most memorable characters. Goodall begins with Depp's troubled childhood and spends a considerable number of chapters discussing his films, but veers towards the sensational (and well-trod) in his discussion of Depp's engagement to Winona Rider and his relationship with model Kate Moss. A mix between a shallow biography and a detailed filmography with nothing new to add to the record, this volume is unlikely to satisfy.
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About the Author

Nigel Goodall has written more than a dozen books, including the best-selling Winona Ryder (Blake, 1998), nominated for the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction in 1999. He was a production associate for Channel 4's The Real Winona Ryder. His other books include Elton John: A Visual Documentary, an illustrated Rolling Stones book and the bestseller Kylie Naked: A Biography (Ebury,2002, with Jenny Stanley-Clarke). He writes for magazines and contributes to various album, video and television projects. Nigel is divorced with two children.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 377 pages
• Publisher: John Blake (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1857825977
• ISBN-13: 978-1857825978
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,377,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( D ) > Depp, Johnny

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars dont waste you money !!, July 13, 2006

By 

shellyg - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secret World of Johnny Depp: The Intimate Biography of Hollywood's Best-Loved Rebel (Hardcover)

if you are interested in reading about the plots for all of johnnies movies i suggest you buy this book---to call it an intimate BIOGRAPHY is a joke---i can find more interesting info about johnny depp browsing the internet. there were of course a few facts about his life sprinkled in among the details of his movies---i SAW all of his movies i didnt need a synopsis of them all over again----look around, folks, i am sure there is something much more interesting than this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Depp Deserves Much Better!, August 12, 2008

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Secret World of Johnny Depp: The Intimate Biography of Hollywood's Best Loved Rebel (Paperback)

I haven't seen every Johnny Depp movie ever made but I've seen enough to recognize a great talent at work. Depp is certainly a fascinating enough individual and talented enough actor to rate a well-researched, insightful, in-depth biography. Unfortunately it ain't this book!

Author Nigel Goodall subtitled his book an "intimate biography." Wishful thinking, Nigel! Although there's some biographical info, SECRET WORLD OF JOHNNY DEPP's main focus is actually JD's film work. Basically the book is a cobbled-together collection of previously published quotes, interviews and movie reviews from 40+ magazines, newspapers, etc. It wasn't written so much as assembled. The personal details Goodall provides are pretty much common knowledge; the insights already found in "People," "Rolling Stone," et al. Strictly cut-and-paste.

Bottom line: Unless you have to have EVERY book on Johnny Depp, skip this one and save $12.95.

******
Note to Mr. Goodall: "Cunningness" (p.293) is not a word.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Secret World of Johnny Depp, June 21, 2008

By 

Carol E. Miller "christmas carol" (So. Charleston, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Secret World of Johnny Depp: The Intimate Biography of Hollywood's Best Loved Rebel (Paperback)

Nice collection of photos and insight to Johnny's childhood and early years but I prefer Christopher Heard's book Johnny Depp Photo Album.