American actor and film producer Johnny Depp turns 50 today.

The Kentucky-born star rose to fame as undercover cop Tommy Hanson in the popular television series 21 Jump Street in the 1980s. He soon became a teen idol and later turned to films for more challenging roles.

Depp has been nominated for three Academy Awards but has yet to take home the coveted trophy. He was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Finding Neverland (2004) and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007).

Depp, who plays Pirates of the Caribbean's iconic character Captain Jack Sparrow, confirmed that he has signed on for Pirates of the Caribbean 5, which is due for release on 10 July, 2015, according to E! News.

Prehistoric Creature Named after Depp Due to Similarity with Edward Scissorhands

An ancient extinct species has been named after Depp because its fossil looks like his character Edward Scissorhands from the 1990 Tim Burton film. Kooteninchela deppi, the 505 million-year-old creature, was originally discovered at Stanley Glacier in Canada's Kootenay National Park.

"When I first saw the pair of isolated claws in the fossil records of this species I could not help but think of Edward Scissorhands," David Legg of Imperial College London said, "Even the genus name, Kootenichela, includes the reference to this film as 'chela' is Latin for claws or scissors. In truth, I am also a bit of a Depp fan."

Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp Reuters
Johnny Depp received an honorary Cesar award for his acting career during the ceremonies at the Champs Elysees Theatre late March 6 1999
Johnny Depp received an honorary "Cesar" award for his acting career during the ceremonies at the Champs Elysees Theatre late March 6 1999 Reuters
The cast of Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of The Black Pearl, L-R British actors Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley along with star Johnny Depp, pose together at the films premiere at Disneyland in Aneheim, Califor
The cast of Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of The Black Pearl, (L-R) British actors Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley along with star Johnny Depp, pose together at the film's premiere at Disneyland in Aneheim, Califor Reuters
Johnny Depp poses during a photo call at Venice Lido August 28, 2003.
Johnny Depp poses during a photo call at Venice Lido August 28, 2003. Reuters
Johnny Depps signature, handprints and footprints in cement are pictured after ceremonies at the forecourt of Graumans Chinese Theatre in Hollywood September 16, 2005.
Johnny Depp's signature, handprints and footprints in cement are pictured after ceremonies at the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood September 16, 2005. Reuters
Johnny Depp poses next to a poster featuring him in character at a special screening of the DreamWorks Pictures film Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California December 5, 2007.
Johnny Depp poses next to a poster featuring him in character at a special screening of the DreamWorks Pictures film "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California December 5, 2007. Reuters
Johnny Depp accepts his award for best villain for his role in Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles June 1, 2008.
Johnny Depp accepts his award for best villain for his role in "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles June 1, 2008. Reuters
A waxwork of actor Johnny Depp is photographed at the opening of Madame Tussauds Hollywood in Los Angeles July 21, 2009.
A waxwork of actor Johnny Depp is photographed at the opening of Madame Tussauds Hollywood in Los Angeles July 21, 2009. Reuters
Johnny Depp, recipient of the Favorite Movie Actor award, slimes members of the audience at the 24th annual Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards in Los Angeles April 2, 2011.
Johnny Depp, recipient of the Favorite Movie Actor award, slimes members of the audience at the 24th annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles April 2, 2011. Reuters
Johnny Depp L performs with musician Marilyn Manson at the 4th annual Golden Gods awards at Nokia theatre in Los Angeles, California April 11, 2012.
Johnny Depp (L) performs with musician Marilyn Manson at the 4th annual Golden Gods awards at Nokia theatre in Los Angeles, California April 11, 2012. Reuters
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