As Nicolas Cage recalled to New York Times Magazine, Johnny Depp was a tenant in an apartment that Cage owned in the early 1980s. He rented the apartment to Depp while the future “Edward Scissorhands” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” superstar pondered what his next career move might be. The two men became fast friends, and passed the time in those days playing Monopoly, according to Cage.
Cage later said, “I was watching him and I said, ‘Why don’t you just try acting?'” (per Insider). “[Depp] was at the point in his career where he was selling pens or something to get by,” Cage continued. Depp didn’t take to the idea right away. He still clung to the dream of being a musician. According to Cage, Depp said, “I can’t act.” Nevertheless, Cage managed to get Depp a meeting with his agent. Shortly thereafter, Johnny Depp attended his first audition.
