Showbiz

Johnny Depp hated teen idol tag

Published Wednesday, Apr 16 2008, 14:27 BST | By Beth Hilton
Johnny Depp hated teen idol tag

Rex Features

Johnny Depp has revealed that he tried to escape his teen idol tag at the start of his career.

The actor said he was uncomfortable with his heartthrob status after rising to fame on '80s TV show 21 Jump Street.

He told OK!: "I just didn't want to make a career of taking my shirt off. I wanted to shave off all my hair, even my eyebrows. And I did!

"I don't fault TV stars who do teen magazines. They took offers that gave the big money fast, but they were dead in two years. I never wanted that."

He added that he still prefers to shun the limelight, saying: "Frankly, I've always been shy, paranoid, whatever word you want. I hate fame - I've done everything to avoid it."

> Depp saves extras from car crash

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