When Jack Sparrow Swoops Women Swoon

WHEN JACK SPARROW SWOOPS WOMEN SWOON

Johnny Depp Honored in Santa Barbara
By Bonnie Carroll –
 
Johnny Depp was greeted by screaming fans outside the historic Arlington Theatre, where he walked the 31st Santa Barbara International Film Festival red carpet to be presented the SBIFF Maltin Modern Masters Award. All along the red carpet reporters, photographers, TV and Radio professionals were waiting to get what they needed for a story on the man who is considered by many the greatest actor of our time. I was one of those waiting, but due to the huge amount of Hollywood photographers who were working the event a few of us local ladies found ourselves at the end of the line in a dark zone, which is not a good spot to get what we came for.
 
I enjoy discussing the amazing talent of Johnny Depp, who is in my opinion a true master of the craft of acting, and has proven it over and over with a milieu of prestigious awards. Through the years he has befriended, learned from and worked with greats in the film industry. That being said, for the first time in fourteen years covering this local event I brought a gift bouquet of flowers for an actor I truly admired.

Johnny Depp Feb. 4, 2016 at 31st Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Johnny Depp Feb. 4, 2016 at 31st Santa Barbara International Film Festival
As Johnny approached me on the carpet I handed my humble little bouquet to him, and rather than welcoming him to Santa Barbara as I had planned to do, I suddenly said “I love you so much Johnny Depp!” He took a beat and looked at me as if he was assessing the whole picture and then replied ‘this is sweet, this is really so very sweet’ at which point the flowers went to an assistant and suddenly I felt Jack Sparrow had swooped me up to give me the sweetest kiss! I may have actually stopped breathing. Shock would be a mild description for what I was feeling as he moved away and continued walking along the carpet into the theatre with my little bouquet in hand.
 
 
SANTA BARBARA - FEB 4:  Johnny Depp, Bonnie Carol at the 31st Santa Barbara International Film Festival - Maltin Modern Master on February 4, 2016 in Santa Barbara, California
SANTA BARBARA – FEB 4: Johnny Depp, Bonnie Carol at the 31st Santa Barbara International Film Festival – Maltin Modern Master on February 4, 2016 in Santa Barbara, California. Photo credit: Nina Prommer Photography
I first became aware of Johnny Depp in the 2000 film Chocolat and remember thinking what an expressive face and kissable mouth this handsome guy had, never dreaming I might by some unexpected accident of fate have the pleasure to do just that. Johnny Depp’s professional body of work is so diverse and astounding, and it is reported he chooses roles that are interesting and challenging to him, and not those with guaranteed box office success. He has become renowned for developing characters that are born through his complete surrender, love and trust of the creative process, as well as his unquestionable courage to make it true.
 
Depp has gained worldwide critical acclaim for his portrayals of such people as screenwriter-director Ed Wood in Ed Wood, undercover FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone in Donnie Brasco, “gonzo” journalist Hunter S. Thompson in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, cocaine kingpin George Jung in Blow, author J.M. Barrie in Finding Neverland, and the Depression Era outlaw John Dillinger in Michael Mann’s Public Enemies. Films featuring Depp have grossed over $3.1 billion at the United States box office and over $7.6 billion worldwide. His most commercially successful films are the Pirates of the Caribbean films, Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
 
SANTA BARBARA, CA - FEBRUARY 04:  Film Critic Leonard Maltin and Actor Johnny Depp
SANTA BARBARA, CA – FEBRUARY 04: Film Critic Leonard Maltin and Actor Johnny Depp speak onstage at the Maltin Modern Master award tribute during the 31st Santa Barbara International Film Festival at the Arlington Theater on February 4, 2016 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for Santa Barbara International Film Festival)
Festival Director Roger Durling, along with UGG award sponsors welcomed guests and introduced interviewer Leonard Maltin. The interview done before nearly two thousand enthusiastic fans included film excerpts, and the conversation covered the full span of his career, from his start as a struggling musician turned actor, through his most recent amazing performance in BLACK MASS. Depp charmed the audience with funny stories from his attempts at getting fired from jobs (including one experience when he refused to remove a turban) and his subsequent apologies to his agent Tracey Jacobs who was sitting in the audience. Following the interview Depp’s BLACK MASS director Scott Cooper took the stage to say a few words and present Johnny Depp with the Modern Master award.
 
It’s obvious Johnny Depp is one amazing actor and a unique human being, who has been described by other media members as a rather caring celebrity who always gives them what they need to complete their assignments. Following the interview and award presentation he graciously posed for photos with the event volunteers at the Arlington, and the next day festival staff reported that before leaving the area he went back to the fans outside the Arlington and signed more autographs.
 
The Maltin Modern Master Award Presented by UGG is the highest honor presented by SBIFF. Established in 1995, it was created to honor an individual who has enriched our culture through accomplishments in the motion picture industry. The award was re-named the Maltin Modern Master Award in 2015 in honor of long-time SBIFF moderator and renowned film critic Leonard Maltin. Recipients: Johnny Depp (2016), Michael Keaton (2015), Bruce Dern (2014), Ben Affleck (2013), Christopher Plummer (2012), Christopher Nolan (2011), James Cameron (2010), Clint Eastwood (2009), Cate Blanchett (2008), Will Smith (2007), George Clooney (2006), and Peter Jackson (2004). For additional information visit: www.SBIFF.org.

 Feature image – Johnny Depp, Photo credit SBIFF.org

Bonnie Carroll has been a food/travel/lifestyle writer since 1983. She is the founder & publisher of Bonnie Carroll’s Life Bites News, and does travel and food reporting on local radio/TV, she also contributes to a variety of national and international travel/lifestyle publications, and is a member of IFWTWA and NATJA. She is mother of four, grandmother of three and her first great grandson Nolan was born in July. Contact her at writebc@aol.com.
 
 

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When Jack Sparrow Swoops Women Swoon
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