Johnny Depp was selling ballpoint pens when in the early 1980s he met actor Nicholas Cage in Los Angeles. Cage told him to ditch the pens and try acting. He took the advice and in 1984 made his film debut in A Nightmare on Elm Street.

His character came to a sticky end thanks to Freddy Krueger. But Depp went from strength to strength. His big break came in 1987 when he was cast as Thomas Hanson in 21 Jump Street.

By 1990 he began a long-term collaboration with Tim Burton when he was cast as Edward in Edward Scissorhands. By the time he did his first turn as Captain Jack Sparrow in the first Pirates of the Caribbean films in 2003, the world was his oyster.

It all began to fall apart when he married Amber Heard in 2015. The 2016 divorce was brutal, with Heard accusing Depp of domestic abuse. His career and his life seemed to crumble. Working for Johnny Depp was no walk in the park before Amber happened. But after? It became near-impossible.

Here's the reality of what it's like to work for Johnny Depp.

15 He Might Sometimes Forget To Pay You

Code List

Getting paid is the point of going to work. Johnny Depp doesn't seem to understand that because in 2018 security guards who had been working for him sued him, saying he neglected to pay them "overtime and rest" pay required by law. Plus, to add insult to injury, they claim they never received the mandated "meal or rest breaks". Surprise, surprise. They quit.

14 You Will Probably Be Exposed To Illegal Substances

Sean P. Carlin

Back with the security guards. Seems once or twice they had to wipe "illegal substances" off Johnny Depp's face in public. Probably something powdery, if you get our drift. They also claim that they were "asked repeatedly to drive vehicles that contained illegal substances” and “open containers” (of alcohol?). And it wasn't just Depp they had to contend with. There were "unstable" hangers-on to deal with as well. What a mess.

13 When Wasted, He Might Just Attack You

Daily Mail

Speaking of "unstable" hangers-on, Depp was out on a street in Denmark swilling champagne with some chums. When a bodyguard tried to get him to go back inside the bar, there was an "altercation" and Depp got out of control. Depp refused to budge and glared angrily at the security man. His drunken companions tried, in vain, to calm the angry star down.

12 You Could Conceivably Get The Easiest Ride Of Your Life

Elle Decor

Depp has spent around $75 million for some 14 residences, including a private island in the Bahamas. More to the point, he spends $3.6 million a year for a staff of 40. Believe it or not, all of the properties are fully staffed, just in case Depp decides to drop in. So, land a job on his island and you can probably spend your days on the beach working on your tan.

11 He's Often Moody And Depressed

The Statesman

Friends and staff say there was Johnny before Amber and Johnny after Amber. The actor married Amber Heard in 2015 and when the divorce came in 2016 it was beyond nasty, with Heard claiming she be had been physically abused by Depp. He even lost his gig as Captain Jack Sparrow in The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. That's when the mood swings and bouts of depression really got bad. On really bad days, the staff tries to avoid contact with the troubled actor.

10 You Never Know What He Is Going To Do Next

SyFy Wire

Johnny Depp has always been impulsive. Buying and staffing 14 residences speak volumes as far as that is concerned. But there's more. On a whim, he spent $18 million on a yacht. He buys guitars, cars, and art at the drop of a hat. He's blown millions on his various collections. But if staff try to curb his conspicuous consumption, they could find themselves out of a job. Johnny does what Johnny wants to do when he wants to do it. Period.

RELATED: 15 Fun Facts About Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow

9 He Lives In His Own Little Fantasy World

Twitter

There is reality and then there is the Depp reality, which just happens to be whatever Johnny Depp thinks it is. If he thinks something is true, then it is, whether or not it really is true. Staff says that he operates in his own little world, disconnected from the world as it actually exists. Confront him with the real facts and he will probably call you crazy. He may deny having done things which he clearly has done. It gets a little spooky.

8 May Have To Put Up With His Kids And Mooching Family

Mirror

When Depp's kids were little, staff were told to let them do what they wanted to do, no questions asked. Then there is his family. His sister Christi helped herself to around $7 million and when Depp bought his mom a ranch, his other sister and her family moved in to run it. Only thing is, they were spending money like crazy. Depp seemed to think it was up to somebody else to clean up the mess. Nothing to do with him. Pity his poor managers.

7 If Something Goes Wrong, It's Your Fault

Collider

Depp has a tendency to sue people who have worked for him. He sued his management company for $25 million claiming fraud. He sued the people responsible for his tax and accounting, saying they had messed up, causing him to have to pay millions in penalties. The reality? If he doesn't feel like signing his tax return, he won't. If he's told his family is bleeding him dry, he may well just shake his head and walk away.

6 You Will Spend A Lot Of Time Protecting Depp From Himself

Daily Mail

Johnny Depp stone-cold sober is moody and depressed much of the time. He lets things slide, not doing what he should do. Staff throw up their hands but can do nothing. Staff, especially the security guards, are put in impossible situations when a publicly drunk and drugged up Depp staggers around the streets. They try to keep him out of harm's way, but he resists, sometimes violently.

5 Never Mention The "A" Word

Screen Geek

Mention the name "Amber Heard" around Johnny Depp and you had better be prepared to run for the hills. As he sees it, she is a devil who has ruined his career and his life. That he contributed to the problems doesn't seem to occur to him. The truth? Who knows who abused whom. It was most likely a mutual-hatred society while they were married. The staff avoids the "A" word.

RELATED: 15 Celebs Who Could Replace Amber Heard In Aquaman

4 He's Often Under The Influence

The Hollywood Gossip

The guy spends around $30,000 a month on wine. He is seldom seen without a glass, no matter the time of day. His household staff tries to stay out of harm's way when Depp is drinking (and/or smoking) at home. Of late, he has taken to showing up at events worse for the wear. And let's don't even get into his party-hard at bars late nights.

3 Expect House Plant Watering And Vehicle Waxing Duties

YouTube

Depp has spent millions on around 45 cars and houseplants to decorate his 5-house Hollywood Hills compound. Yes, he lives in not one, but 5 houses. Apparently, he is into both cars and plants in a big way. So don't be surprised if you are handed a watering can or a tub of wax and told to get to work. It's all part of working for Johnny Depp.

2 He Still Acts Like An A-Lister

Vanity Fair

Johnny Depp has fallen from grace big time. There is a rumor that Disney is considering reinstating him in the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie. He was unceremoniously sacked from the franchise after Amber Heard's domestic abuse accusations. It that happens, then he may just be able to reclaim his top-star status. But that is a big if. At the moment? His career prospects are in doubt. And that has staff worried.

RELATED: 15 Photos That Describe Johnny Depp's Career

1 Let's Face It, Don't Expect Long-Term Job Security

Debate

Depp has since 2016 been a man out of control. His erratic, angry, and unpredictable behavior have all caused great concern amongst his friends and staff. Out of the blue long-standing staff members are sometimes fired and replaced by newcomers. Some say his net worth has gone from $400 million to $200 million. And there are those who say that is an optimistic figure. Can he carry on employing the army of staff he has today? Who knows.

NEXT: 14 Throwback Pics Of Johnny Depp Too Good To Ignore

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