Or, the state that Johnny's character Glen Lantz finds himself in - and at Freddy Krueger's mercy - in A Nightmare On Elm Street.

The Wes Craven horror was his first film role, with him playing heroine's boyfriend and ill-fated sleep-avoider.

He dies in a torrent of gore. According to the director, Johnny's career is largely thanks to the foresight of Craven and his daughter.

“I could make up all kinds of stories about why I had the perception and presence to cast Johnny Depp, but I would be a liar.

"We were looking for someone in the role as Nancy’s boyfriend…the boy next door…and in comes Johnny Depp with a friend…the long hair, his fingers were yellow, and I thought, ‘This isn’t the boy next door and he can’t act and he’s so nervous. Sweet, but…. .’”

It was only when Jessica Craven got a look at pictures of Depp and exclaimed, "he's beautiful!" that Craven changed his mind.

Perhaps they can fight Nic Cage for the honour of launching Depp's career?

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z