Johnny Depp is one of the most iconic actors in Hollywood, well-known for his enigmatic persona and captivating presence in successful movies like Disney's “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, Edward Scissorhands, Alice in Wonderland and Donnie Brasco, just to name a few. Depp is not only respected for his incredible talent and acting prowess but also recognized for his stylish hairstyles, which have been as vibrant and dynamic as his career.
As a style icon, Depp's hair has embraced timeless looks and inspired fresh trends. From short to long, his styles have become meaningful symbols of his unique fashion sense, creative personality and celebrity status.
In this article, we will explore some of Johnny Depp's most iconic hairstyles through the years, admiring the evolution and his latest looks.
Memorable Johnny Depp Hairstyles
Short and Messy
When Johnny arrived at the BFI London Film Festival in 2013 to surprise a close friend, none other than Sir Christopher Lee, with the festival's Fellowship award, then-90-year-old Lee had tears in his eyes as he accepted. It was a touching moment that will go down in history, as will Johnny's tousled, textured short locks that seemed to have a life of their own.
The look was somewhat brushed back, with a few strands boyishly dangling over his forehead. The sides swept outward and slightly back, creating a voluminous texture that looked perfect with an open-collared dress shirt with a pinstriped vest, edgy jewelry, and tinted wire-rimmed glasses.
Full Slick Back
Johnny has worn a full slick back several times in his career, and even when he was much younger, he donned messy tresses. He likely applied and combed through a generous amount of styling gel for this look to achieve the sleek shine. A quick head shake is all it takes to release some strands from their slicked-down confines, allowing him to make the 50s greaser style his own. A baby face with a hint of a five o'clock shadow added a touch of sexy masculinity.
Textured Short Spiky Style
At an event for Finding Neverland, Depp arrived with a textured and short spiky style that was trending during those years. Rather than his traditional fringe, his hair sweeps up and slightly off to one side in the front, forming tousled spikes. The layered and stacked scissor-cut sides are equally voluminous, and the shorter, more structured hair at the back pulls the look together. Despite the cut's tousled nature, he made it look formal and chic by donning a black shirt, shiny black tie, and black pinstriped jacket.
Ponytail
During the Depp v. Heard trial, Johnny's stylist almost always slicked his hair back into a neat ponytail about midway down the back of his head. The style allowed him to maintain his edgy and expressive personal sense of style without resorting to an unwanted cut. Matte pomade likely aided in creating the smooth, slightly textured hair along the top of the head, and the thick ponytail that barely brushed his collar was sophisticated and sleek.
Undercut
A classic undercut and barely-there brows emphasized the tall multicolored spikes Johnny Depp wore for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in 2016. The star played Gellert Grindelwald, an eccentric but powerful dark wizard. A healthy dose of styling gel held his hair straight upward, and the undercut added a distinctive contrast that emphasized the height and volume. Mads Mikkelson of Hannibal fame wore a similar cut when he played the same role in the third installment of the series, a role the actor didn't get due to his ongoing legal battle.
Youthful Depp with Short Classy Hair
In the early 90s, Johnny preferred short and voluminous haircut styles that framed his soulful eyes. Picture-perfect in a classic shirt and jacket, his hair stands up and out at every angle. His stylist likely chose a flexible matte styling product, such as wax or pomade, before giving Depp a blowout. A hairspray with shine would have finished the look and held it in place throughout the evening.
Middle Part
At the premiere of Dark Shadows in 2012, Depp dressed in all black and styled a center-parted, jaw-length layered cut that perfectly framed his chiseled face. The tousled and windblown look has always suited him well, especially next to costar Michelle Pfeiffer, who was the picture of elegance and grace. Johnny wore dark blue tinted glasses and iconic necklaces with black cords, silver chains, beads and stones.
Edgy and Artistic
Johnny's edgy and artistic bohemian style features a slightly off-center part and layers that create a voluminous, textured jaw-length bob. Depp looks almost mysterious, if not somewhat expressive and fun, combining his signature tinted glasses and quirky fashion sense – in this case, an open-collared shirt, vest, and tie worn more like a scarf.
Johnny Depp with Long Hair in the 90s
Voluminous hair was all the rage in the 1990s, especially among women and Hollywood celebs. Johnny appears to have grown out a traditional gentleman's cut for this photo with the long, curled-back tresses at the top and sides. A subtle center part gives the style a hint of structure, and the hair brushing his collar in the back adds some boyish charm.
Loose Pull Back
For the Public Enemies premiere in 2009 at Empire in England, Johnny sported a center-parted cut that he flipped backward and off to each side. The tousled and windblown look was Johnny's signature style in those years, even for formal events. He wore a handsome black button-down shirt but traded his iconic wire-rimmed, dark-tinted glasses for a more refined tortoiseshell frame with a lighter lens.
Gangster Haircut
Dancing alongside the stunning Carey Mulligan in Public Enemies, Johnny dressed to the nines with a slicked-back gangster cut that suited his face structure and character well. The longer hair at his hairline is quite voluminous, and a low taper subtly transitions the cut to a much shorter length around the sides and back.
Young Johnny Depp with Long Hair
In the mid-90s, Depp rocked a long side-swept style popularized by Hollywood celebs and music icons. From Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall to Eddie Vedder belting out “Jeremy,” the textured and almost stringy look commanded attention and created heartthrobs. Most of his hair is the same length, but a few long layers added movement and body. Johnny's natural waves are evident at this length.
Mullet
While it's true that Johnny Depp rocked a mullet in his early days of acting, it was more of a modified style that combined the traditional “business in the front, party in the back” look with a boyish shag. The long, voluminous hair on top curled back and flowed in several directions, while the back section of hair that brushed his collar appeared to feather outward. In interviews, he said he used mousse and gel on damp hair, then blow-dried it before spraying it with a generous amount of hairspray.
John Dillinger Haircut
Johnny's famous role as American gangster John Dillinger in Public Enemies required a classic 1920s style that suited Depp's facial structure. The result was a partially slicked-back ‘do that tapered from long hair in the front to much shorter hair at the back and sides. In true Johnny fashion, a few strands fell over his forehead to impart some foreboding charm and perhaps sex appeal, something both Depp and Dillinger were known for in real life.
Textured Curtains with Classic Goatee
Johnny isn't often seen without long or voluminous hair (or both), but in another Public Enemies screening, he seemingly skipped both. He wore long, textured curtains that gracefully brushed either cheek before tapering to shorter hair at the sides and back. While not a staple back then, Depp's classic goatee has become his signature facial hair style.
Undercut Slick Back
When Depp graced the red carpet for the Murder on the Orient Express premiere in London in 2017, his look shocked the crowd. Gone were his signature volume and length; he boasted a classic slick back with a buzzed undercut. Rather than tying his bowtie, which is customary on the red carpet, he let his rebellious nature take over and chose to let it dangle under his collar. Johnny looked positively dapper in a classic mustache, even sans bowtie.
Classic Cool Greaser
A highlight in Depp's career, Cry Baby focuses on two rival groups, the drapes and the squares, and features a 1950s rockabilly theme. Johnny's impeccable greaser hairstyle was perfect for the role. The thick, slicked-back top and sides were voluminous and sleek, and the charming single strand falling over his forehead pulled it all together.
Public Enemies Haircut – Longer Brushed Back Top with Short Sides
Public Enemies is a film based on the exciting and short life of gangster John Dillinger, and Depp perfected the role. The 1920s saw men's cuts that were long on top and in the front but shorter at the sides, much like a 50s slick-back without the shine and texture. The center-parted cut was brushed back on either side and tapered at the sides and back, mimicking Dillinger's famous ‘do.
Donnie Brasco Haircut – Classic Slick Back
Depp's full, classic slick back in Donnie Brasco suited his role as FBI agent Joseph Pistone. The film occurred in the late 1970s and early 1980s when men wore slick ‘dos with sideburns and a clean-shaven face. Many fans say Johnny barely looks like himself. The low-volume style was immaculate, with every hair in the perfect place. Of course, a pair of Aviator sunglasses popular in those years rounded out the look.
Willy Wonka Haircut – Long, Blunt Style
Johnny Depp's Willy Wonka haircut in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was as eccentric and quirky as his chocolate factory-owning character. His long, blunt locks were lighter than usual, and they boasted a slightly reddish hue, likely designed to pop against his bright red jacket and insane top hat. The star said in an interview that he channeled children's show hosts from his past to nail down the role, claiming the way they spoke was “super bizarre.”
Blow Haircut – Long and Textured Flow
George Jung, the 1970s criminal Blow was about, inspired Depp's long and textured flow. The shoulder-length cut packed plenty of volume and natural waves, giving him a sun-kissed beach bum look. Today, the bohemian style is once again making major waves, and all it takes is a few long layers and a wavy texture. A matte pomade or clay can help with separation and definition while keeping frizz at bay.
Cry Baby Hairstyle – Long Slick Back
Johnny Depp was ideally suited for the rockabilly greaser vibe in Cry Baby, and the long slick back remains iconic to this day. Use a high-shine pomade on slightly damp hair to achieve an all-day hold and the quintessential “wet look.” A fringe of a single strand of hair flowing over the forehead adds a hint of a rebellious attitude.
Chocolat Hairstyle – Classic Ponytail
Roux, the river traveler in Chocolat, boasted a classic ponytail, shades, and leather jacket that embodied the bohemian lifestyle. Depp tied his hair back into a low, loose, messy ponytail barely reaching his collar. A few loose strands often found their way out of the elastic, especially around his ears, turning him into an overnight heartthrob.
The Tourist Hairstyle – Textured, Medium Length and Wavy
The Tourist is an incredible romantic thriller in which Depp plays Frank, a tourist visiting Italy hoping to heal a broken heart. Frank's rugged American style shines through in Depp's physical appearance. The textured, medium-length, wavy layered locks that frame Johnny's face are striking and youthful. This look is easy to achieve by spraying some texturizing product on damp hair and then allowing it to dry naturally.
What's Eating Gilbert Grape Hairstyle
Johnny's long, layered tresses in What's Eating Gilbert Grape were both boyish and masculine, solidifying the part he played in this incredibly heartfelt film. The look was trendy in the 90s but is making a significant comeback. Healthy hair is the key to this style, so get frequent trims and use gentle shampoos and products. To recreate the look, make an optional part at either side, sweep all the hair away from the face without a part, and let it fall where it may.
Transcendence Haircut – Messy Curtains with Goatee
Depp's scientist role in the thought-provoking and mind-bending science-fiction film Transcendence called for a clean, neat, professional cut with a smidge of rebellious edge. Messy curtains with a goatee fit the bill. His hair flowed back and over to one side from a side part, and the sides and back remained short and refined. A simple goatee pulled the academic look together and suited his character, who was on a mission to develop the world's first sentient computer.
Finding Neverland – Middle Part Hairstyle
Johnny took on an old-school vintage look for his role as Sir James Matthew Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan, in Finding Neverland. The hairstyle is as charming as the film itself, and Sir Barrie was known to wear a similar style throughout most of his adult life. The middle part of the hairstyle was slicked back and over for a sophisticated and dapper result.
21 Jump Street – Brush Back with Center Part
Depp almost singlehandedly made a brush back with a center part trendy with his role as Officer Tom Hanson in 21 Jump Street. The hairstyle featured a center part with longer hair at the top and slightly shorter hair at the sides and back. He brushed it back in the front but left a hint of a fringe over one side. The style relied heavily on volume and natural texture and exuded boyish confidence.
Benny & Joon Haircut – Medium Length Tousled Layers
Johnny Depp was rarely without his hat when he played Sam in Benny & Joon, but in the rare moments he took it off, his playful, boyish hairstyle took center stage. His hair cascaded in waves to his shoulders with a deep side part and plenty of layers to frame and enhance his masculine features. A long side-swept fringe added even more depth to the look.
Goatee
Depp has worn countless hairstyles in his 40-year career, but his chameleon tendencies end when it comes to his facial hair. When he was young, he was almost always clean-shaven, and as a middle-aged actor, he almost always sports a neat, trimmed, disconnected goatee. The mustache is typical, ending just beyond the corners of his mouth rather than meeting up with the hair at the chin.
