"There was a great veil lifted": Johnny Depp reflects on how becoming a father changed his outlook on life

Johnny Depp says fatherhood gave him a clearer sense of purpose, changing how he viewed both his work and his life.

Speaking to CBS Mornings in an interview aired on Friday, Nov. 13, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor recalled experiencing what he described as a veil lifting when his first child was born.

“There was a great veil lifted. That I had no idea had existed when my first child was born. I literally felt like a veil had been lifted from my vision. And suddenly, I understood exactly what everything had been for.”

Johnny Depp explained that he had not realised it was there until the arrival of his daughter, Lily-Rose Depp, in 1999. He shares Lily-Rose and son Jack with his former partner, Vanessa Paradis.

The actor, who stars in Ebenezer, said becoming a parent helped him understand what had motivated his decisions throughout his life.

Before having children, Johnny Depp recalled questioning his career choices and wondering why he continued making films.

He said he had considered whether money or other reasons were behind his decisions, but fatherhood gave him an answer.

“I never knew the answer to those questions until that veil was lifted, and instantly I knew. This is why you’ve made every single move in your life. This is what it’s all about.”

The actor continued:

“Even if you’re not particularly, like [a] self-obsessed person, it is the first real, selfless moment that one could have, when your child arrives, there’s nothing else in the world that exists.”

Johnny Depp stars in Ebenezer

Johnny Depp’s interview comes as he stars in Ebenezer, a dark fantasy and gothic horror adaptation of Charles Dickens's classic novella A Christmas Carol, released on Nov. 13, 2026.

In the film, Depp stars as Ebenezer Scrooge. The project marks his official return to a mainstream Hollywood lead role.

Set in Victorian London, the movie follows wealthy misanthrope Ebenezer Scrooge as he endures a terrifying supernatural journey on Christmas Eve. He is then visited by the ghost of his late business partner, Jacob Marley, and three other spirits.

Scrooge must confront his painful past, cold present, and grim future to find personal redemption.

Meanwhile, alongside Depp, the film features Ian McKellen as Jacob Marley, Rupert Grint as Bob Cratchit, Sam Claflin as Fred, Andrea Riseborough as the Ghost of Christmas Past, and Tramell Tillman as the Ghost of Christmas Present, with Daisy Ridley and Ellie Bamber also appearing.

The movie is directed by horror filmmaker Ti West.

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Also Read: Johnny Depp says childhood abuse shaped how he raises his kids: “She taught me how not to raise kids”

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