The 52-year-old actor praises Craven for his bravery in casting an unknown youngster for a role in 'A Nightmare on Elm Street'.
- Sep 16, 2015
AceShowbiz - Johnny Depp owed it to Wes Craven to kick start his career in Hollywood. The actor paid tribute to the horror director who passed away on August 30 after a battle with brain cancer.
Depp starred in 1984's "A Nightmare on Elm Street" as one of the teenagers tormented in their dreams by Freddy Krueger. While promoting his upcoming film "Black Mass" at the Toronto International Film Festival on Monday, September 15, Depp reflected on his breakout role.
"Wes Craven was the guy who gave me my start, from my perspective, for almost no reason in particular," Depp said, according to Variety. "I read scenes with his daughter when I auditioned for the part. At the time, I was a musician. I wasn't really acting. It was not anything very near to my brain or my heart, which is pretty much how it remains to this day."
Depp said Craven took his daughter's advice and offered him the part. "Wes Craven was brave enough to give me the gig based on his daughter's opinion," Depp recalled. "I guess she had read with a bunch of actors, and after the casting sessions, she said, 'No, that's the guy.' I always think of her for putting me in this mess, and certainly Wes Craven for being very brave to give me this gig. But he was a good man - so rest in peace, old Wes."
