Johnny Depp has long acknowledged Marlon Brando as one of his greatest acting inspirations and influences. While Depp has developed his own unique style over the course of his career, Brando’s fingerprints can clearly be seen all over Depp’s transformative performances and commitment to fully inhabiting complex characters. Both actors are considered masters of method acting and have demonstrated a fearless willingness to transform physically and psychologically for their roles. Through intense preparation and improvisation, they have brought depth, nuance and humanity to some of cinema’s most memorable characters. Let’s take a closer look at how Brando’s pioneering approach to acting left an indelible mark on Johnny Depp.
The Method Acting Connection
At the core of both actors’ approaches is an intense dedication to method acting. This style, made famous by Lee Strasberg and his Actors Studio in the 1950s, calls on actors to deeply understand their characters by drawing from their own emotions and experiences. Brando was one of the earliest proponents of this technique in Hollywood films. In seminal performances in A Streetcar Named Desire and On the Waterfront, he brought a raw emotional honesty that was groundbreaking for its time. His commitment to fully inhabiting his characters’ psyches left audiences riveted.
This clearly resonated with the young Johnny Depp, who has said he was “blown away” by Brando’s work. Like Brando, Depp immerses himself in extensive research, speaking with accent coaches and even living as his characters would for months before and during filming. He draws from his own life experiences to understand his characters’ motivations on a profound level. Depp’s intense preparation and ability to disappear into his roles has earned him praise as one of the greatest method actors of his generation. Both he and Brando exemplify using this technique to bring nuanced humanity to complex characters that could have otherwise come across as one-dimensional.
Transformative Physical Transformations
In addition to psychological transformations, Brando and Depp are also known for their fearless willingness to undergo dramatic physical transformations that elevate their performances. Brando famously gained over 80 pounds and used prosthetics to become the iconic Vito Corleone in The Godfather. For his role in Last Tango in Paris, he experimented with unusual acting choices that pushed boundaries and shocked audiences.
Depp similarly commits fully to each character’s physicality. From the pale skin and scissor fingers of Edward Scissorhands to Captain Jack Sparrow’s iconic dreadlocks, Depp’s distinctive looks become as memorable as his performances. He’s even had teeth removed and endured grueling weight changes. These physical commitments, like Brando’s, bring authenticity and add nuanced layers that transcend what’s on the page. Both actors set the standard for using the entire physical self as a creative tool.
Playing Eccentrics and Outsiders
Another through-line in Depp and Brando’s work is their attraction to playing eccentric outsiders and rebels that exist on the fringes of society. Brando was drawn to characters like Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire—a brooding, sensual man simmering with rage and passion just below the surface. Johnny Depp also gravitates towards playing oddballs and misfits, from Edward Scissorhands to Willy Wonka to Hunter S. Thompson.
These characters often walk the line between sanity and madness, existing outside of social norms. Both actors imbue them with humanity, complexity and a sense of danger. Their portrayals leave audiences unsure if to root for or fear these enigmatic figures. Like Brando, Depp brings empathy and three-dimensionality to characters that could have otherwise come across as one-note. He, too, understands there is depth to be found in those society casts aside.
Improvisation and Going Beyond the Script
Brando was also known for his improvisational skills and willingness to experiment on set. He would often add his own dialogue or nuances not written in the script but that felt authentic for his character. This injected freshness and realism into even his most iconic roles. Johnny Depp clearly took inspiration, as he too brings his own quirks and improvisations to each character.
Depp is renowned for his spontaneity, reacting in the moment and allowing scenes to evolve organically depending on his scene partners. He finds opportunities for humor even in dramatic roles. This has resulted in some of cinema’s most memorable ad-libs, like Captain Jack Sparrow’s unique speech patterns and mannerisms. Like Brando, Depp understands a script is just a blueprint—that true creativity lies in an actor’s ability to imagine beyond what’s on the page. Both push boundaries to bring their characters to life in surprising new dimensions.
A Personal Inspiration
Beyond his performances, Marlon Brando also left a profound impression on Johnny Depp as a man. Depp has spoken openly about how Brando represented freedom and non-conformity for him as a young artist. Later in life, the two even became friends after Depp reached out to the reclusive icon. Their bond only deepened Depp’s appreciation for Brando’s rebellious spirit and pioneering approach to acting.
Depp still considers Brando one of his idols and a constant source of inspiration. In one interview, Depp recalled Brando telling him “If you know what you’re doing, you don’t have to do anything.” This philosophy of internalizing one’s character through intense preparation clearly still guides Depp’s process. His friendship with his hero likely gave Depp unique insight into Brando’s creative mindset and further cemented Brando’s impact on Depp’s artistic journey.
In Conclusion
From their intense commitment to method acting and psychological transformations, to their physical daring and portrayals of complex outsiders, Marlon Brando left an indelible mark on Johnny Depp’s approach to acting. Both have demonstrated a fearlessness and creativity that has expanded audiences’ notions of what’s possible on screen. Through intense preparation and a willingness to experiment, they have created some of cinema’s most iconic and unforgettable characters. While Depp has certainly developed his own distinctive style over his career, Brando’s fingerprints remain visible in Depp’s chameleonic performances and dedication to his craft. Brando broke boundaries and set the standard for a generation of actors to follow—and Johnny Depp remains one of his most accomplished heirs.
