Johnny Depp started out as an artificial life form with scissors for hands (Edward Scissorhands). His curiosity about the world and the workings of the human body led him to become a constable in a small American village at the turn of the century, where he came face-to-face (no pun intended) with the Headless Horseman (Sleepy Hollow). The adrenaline rush from facing supernatural threats was so great that he decided to seek adventure on the high seas and become a pirate (Pirates of the Caribbean).
After getting in trouble with the English government for his piracy, he decided that he needed to go undercover as a candy-maker (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). However, the government busted him for hiring illegal immigrant workers so he was sent to a prison in Australia, where the years, no doubt, had changed him - into a bloodthirsty murderer and cannibal (Sweeney Todd). After a near-death experience, he was still crazy but no longer wanted to kill people, so he decided to try his hand at hat-making (Alice in Wonderland). However, a love-life gone bad led to circumstances that turned him into a vampire (Dark Shadows).