Video: Stadium Sings ‘Happy Birthday’ to Johnny Depp on His 60th

If the Pirates of the Caribbean saga taught us anything, Jack Sparrow knows how to make a comeback. Art imitates life, and the recent legal troubles followed by a recent standing ovation would indicate the man behind Sparrow is also unconquerable. Portraying the most iconic Disney character to hit the screen (and the Parks), Jonny Depp has navigated some murky waters over the last year.

Accusations of domestic violence stemming from legal troubles with his ex-wife Amber Heard iced him out of projects, including one that most assumed was infallible: Pirates of the Caribbean. While Depp has since been absolved of the accusations from a legal standpoint, his reputation hasn’t fully been restored.

But with a recent article by The New York Times, Sean Bailey, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, didn’t shut the door entirely on Depp when discussing a “Pirates” priority. When asked about Depp’s return, Bailey responded, “Noncommittal at this point.”

Disney fans refuse to see anyone else don the black eyeliner on the big screen, and the comment implying the door is cracked for Depp seems auspicious. While Depp grapples with his reputation stateside, he’s been getting a much warmer reception overseas.

He Cannes Come Back

Emerging in front of the press and cameras for the first time since 2022, Depp was met with a seven-minute standing ovation after his film ​​Jeanne Du Barry opened the Cannes Film Festival.

Holding back tears on a balcony as he waved to the crowd, Depp was celebrated in the South of France for portraying King Louis XV in the film. With trembling fans greeting him and praises sung by his costars, Depp’s reception symbolized better days ahead. According to Variety, the Festival director Thierry Fremaux commented on Depp’s presence at Cannes:

I don’t know about the image of Johnny Depp in the US. To tell you the truth, in my life, I only have one rule: It’s the freedom of thinking and the freedom of speech and acting within a legal framework. If Johnny Depp had been banned from acting in a film, or the film was banned, we wouldn’t be here talking about it.

A Romanian Reception

The Cannes Film Festival was a precursor to another crowd of die-hard Depp fans in Europe—this time, it was on his 60th birthday. Music has been an integral part of Depp’s life and career, and a Romanian stop on tour with his band, Hollywood Vampires, became the ultimate birthday celebration.

Formed in 2012 by Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, and Joe Perry, the Hollywood Vampires took to the stage, and the entire stadium erupted with a “Happy Birthday” song for Johnny Depp. On Twitter, @hollywoodvamps shared a video of Depp reacting to the heartfelt birthday wish:

​​The whole venue sang the happy birthday song to Johnny. From Romania, The Hollywood Vampires and the rest of the world, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Johnny Depp!

The whole venue sang the happy birthday song to Johnny. From Romania, The Hollywood Vampires and the rest of the world, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Johnny Depp! pic.twitter.com/hSt4oAhwoe

— Hollywood Vampires (@hollywoodvamps) June 9, 2023

While the swash-buckling “Pirates” actor gradually gets his groove back in the eyes of Americans, his iconic roles in Edward Scissorhands (1990), What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), Finding Neverland (2004), and more cement him as an actor who will always be celebrated.