Johnny Depp is an acting genius

Dec 28, 2006, 8:00 GMT

Vintage Depp-enjoy! © CAROLINE TOREM CRAIG Fame / Photorazzi

Johnny Depp loves being labelled weird.

The actor - who has portrayed a host of eccentric characters on the big screen, including Captain Jack Sparrow in 'The Pirates of the Caribbean' and Willy Wonka in 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' - believes he discovered who he really is as a person by taking on oddball roles.

He said: "I was given the weird badge but I think everybody's weird and that's the key to it. We should celebrate out individuality, not be embarrassed or ashamed of it. We all have idiosyncrasies. People do themselves a great disservice by not allowing themselves to see who they really are because they are afraid of what others might think."

Meanwhile, Depp has been preparing for his role as demonic barber Sweeney Todd by practicing his razor skills at home.

The actor has become so obsessed with playing the murderous character, in the musical film of the same name, he is spending hours on end pretending to cut imaginary throats.

A source said: "Johnny is always very conscientious in his roles. For this part he has to get into the mind of a serial killer. He wants to feel adept with the razor blades, to feel as if they were an extension of his arm."

(C) BANG Media International