Forget Brando: Johnny Depp Names an Unexpected Actor as the Greatest of All Time – Here’s Why

When veteran actors are asked to name the greatest talent in their field, the answer is almost always the same: Marlon Brando. With legends like Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro, Kurt Russell, and John Goodman all singing Brando’s praises, it’s hard to argue with the consensus. Yet Johnny Depp, despite a long and close friendship with the Godfather star, offered a far more unexpected choice — one that even the man himself found “a bit silly.”

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Depp never viewed Brando as an untouchable idol. Instead, their bond was more personal — friends who shared advice about everything from acting to private island purchases, rather than collaborators trembling under the weight of Brando’s reputation. Given Depp’s notoriously non-traditional approach to acting — famously steering clear of method acting — it’s not altogether shocking that he would forge his own path when naming the greatest actor of all time.

Still, few could have predicted his pick: British comedian and sketch show star Paul Whitehouse. Known best for his work on The Fast Show and Harry & Paul, Whitehouse hardly seems like the obvious candidate to outshine the likes of Brando, De Niro, or Nicholson. But Depp was so enamored with Whitehouse’s talents that he made a cameo in the final episode of The Fast Show and starred alongside him in multiple films, including Alice in Wonderland and its sequel.

“Johnny said I was the finest actor of all time,” Whitehouse confirmed in an interview with The Guardian, before laughing off the claim. “But that’s a bit silly, isn’t it? How does he know?” Whether Depp was being entirely serious or simply paying tribute to a friend whose comedic chops he admired, his sentiment stands as one of the more unconventional declarations in Hollywood lore.

Despite their once-close working relationship, time — and perhaps a few creative differences — seems to have cooled their bond. Whitehouse revealed that after a cameo in Through the Looking Glass, Depp promised to “make sure you’re OK” — but then vanished. “Never heard from him again. So Mr. Depp can piss off!” Whitehouse joked, though the two haven’t worked together since.

Even if their friendship has faded, Depp’s bold proclamation offers a fascinating glimpse into the actor’s personal tastes — valuing humor, improvisation, and raw inventiveness over traditional cinematic grandeur. In a town where reverence for Brando is practically a rule, Johnny Depp’s unpredictable spirit shines through once again.

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