Johnny Depp Misses The Big Show Again, Why Some Actors Never Get The Prize
Right before the Oscars aired last night, we watched a Barbara Walters special which featured actor Harrison Ford. Harrison was discussing his long and distinguished career with Walters, with some sneak peeks at the new Indiana Jones movie. Harrison, 65, has never won an Oscar. He was nominated once for his role in the 1985 film Witness, but lost to William Hurt who won for Kiss of the Spider Woman.
It seemed inconceivable that an actor as revered and talented as Harrison Ford had never won an Oscar. Ford’s certainly not short on monetary success, having starred in huge blockbuster films like the Star Wars triology, all the Indiana Jones films, as well as cult faves like Blade Runner and American Graffiti, but alas the gold statue has eluded him.
When you consider Ford’s age, and dwindling opportunity for roles which might garner Academy Award attention, the chances at this point of him winning an Oscar are slim. That seems an incredibly harsh reality. And dare I say, unfair.
This brings me to Johnny Depp, an actor who has been through many ups and downs in his career, but in the last few years has been on a real high. Essentially, through his own inimitable style, Johnny carried a somewhat off-the-wall Disney film, (based on a popular ride at Disneyland) and turned the film Pirates of the Caribbean into a HUGE financial enterprise. His depiction of Captain Jack, an 18th century metro-sexual pirate of questionable morals, was incredibly brilliant. But then again, Johnny Depp is an amazing character actor. I can imagine anyone else playing a modern day Willy Wonka, or any of the other quirky roles he is best known for.
Depp’s collaboration with director Tim Burton has created some great films, including Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride and his latest Sweeney Todd. One of my personal favorites is his portrayal of Gilbert Grape from What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. Johnny has been nominated for three Academy Awards, J.M. Barrie (author of Peter Pan) in Finding Neverland, Captain Jack Sparrow, Pirates of The Caribbean, and his latest role as Sweeney Todd, the murderous barber looking for revenge in the film Sweeney Todd.
This year’s winner for Best Actor was Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood, a brilliant actor certainly, but one who’s already been honored by the Academy. My first thought when Daniel won (besides who the hell dressed he and his wife?) was “Why not Johnny, or Viggo Mortenson for that matter, I mean let’s not get greedy there Daniel.” Of course, this response was utterly inappropriate and without any real merit or objective basis, but still. It kind of raised my hackles when I thought back to poor old Harrison Ford and his year-after-year snubs, his age, what’s left of his opportunities to win an Oscar and how bad I’d feel to have lived my life working hard, doing brilliant work and never fully actualizing my dream of winning the highest achievement in achievement.
Demoralizing to say the least. Of course Johnny Depp, Viggo Mortenson and another favorite of mine, Leonardo Di Caprio (his portrayal of Howard Hughes in The Aviator is one of the finest ever) are young enough to have numerous opportunities to play roles which will hopefully showcase their talent, and it their lucky, win an Oscar.
But then again, with guys like Daniel Day-Lewis (2 Academy Awards), Jack Nicholson (3 Academy Awards), Tom Hanks* (2 Academy Awards) and Denzel Washington* (2 Academy Awards) hoarding all the golden statues, they may end up like Harrison Ford, looking back over their lives and wondering what they might have done differently.
Not sure what the answer to this conundrum is, but surely, like with all honors, there’s some politics and snobbery going on. And dammit, I don’t like it one bit. Spread the love Academy, give some others a chance.
(Both of these are favorite actors of mine, so I am NOT picking on them for anything other than multiple wins)
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I completley agree with you. When it comes to “OSCAR snubbery” i have to say that we as a whole, have overlooked some of the best in the business, like johnny depp and harrison ford. With the countless films on both parts over the years, that are memorable to this day, i find it hard to believe that they continously are being pushed to the side lines and no one is taking notice. I think we should put some real thought into the voting process next year and let the lime light shine on those that really are THE LIME LIGHT
Comment by julie brooks — February 26, 2008 @ 8:30 am
daniel day lewis just recieved his second award. he should have gotten one for gangs of new york.daniel is one of the actors that don’t get there due.johnny depp is great but daniel is also. there will be blood was great.
Comment by leilani — February 26, 2008 @ 1:43 pm
Iam still not happy that they give award to Daniel-Day.I was hope that Johnny Depp would win since his precent was higher than the others.I agree with juliebrooks.I was shocked that Harrison Ford never won one.You would all the movies he made he would win one and the same goes to Johnny Depp.I hope next year that these two great actors would win award.I think the Oscars give who ever they please weather you have the highest precent or not.
Comment by kathy — February 26, 2008 @ 11:39 pm
I fear that Johnny Depp is destined to follow in Cary Grant’s footsteps. (Grant never won an Oscar, but was given an “Honorary” Oscar late in his life.) So unfair.
Comment by Lisa — February 27, 2008 @ 2:43 am
I would think that as humble, gracious, kind and intelligent a person as Johnny is.. he knows for a fact it takes more than one person to make a movie. With that said.. him winning an award over and above any recognition given to any other soul that participated in the magical movie making greatness of this or any movie he has made.. seems to be a little off set.
Johnny is indeed a fabulous actor. The ticket sales tell you so. The nods tell you so too. But he would indeed be the first to tell you.. he wasn’t the one writing, building,filming, designing, editing the songs, music and dialogue. It is a serious team effort.
So I guess that is where I make myself comfortable, in knowing he would want an Best Ensemble Cast win or a Best Pic win over any of the Best Actor bookends that he wins or is ever considered for. The relieved look on his face when they called DDL’s name.. was award enough.
And on Harrison Ford (the man not the local car dealer) when he is 98.. he will undoubtedly be led onto the Kodak stage by a bombshell-of-the-time actress and given an honorary award for being old, overlooked and nearly forgotten. As our dear Johnny may sadly someday be honoured by the political crap in Hollywood…
The entire process is ready for an overhaul.
Comment by BobThe Builder — February 27, 2008 @ 6:55 pm