Looking fit in a short-sleeved black shirt that displayed a new tattoo on his forearm, Johnny Depp thrilled the audience at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards when he strode onstage to accept the Golden Popcorn trophy for Best Comedic Performance for his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END. Johnny had to wait out a thunderous standing ovation before offering a modest, self-effacing thank-you speech. “I’m not really sure how this happened,” he told the audience, “because you can ask anyone–I’m not a very funny person.” MTV’s voters apparently disagree, since last night’s trophy was Johnny’s third MTV Movie Award for playing Captain Jack! To see a larger view of our photo of JD onstage, click here.

Later in the program, Johnny returned to accept a second award, this one for Best Villain for SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (defeating the likes of Javier Bardem in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN and Angelina Jolie in BEOWULF). “Two times in one night–that’s nutty,” Johnny said. “Wow . . . .” Johnny then thanked the voters for the recognition. “I have to thank all of you who voted for me. That’s really a great honor. Thanks for sticking with me on this very obtuse and strange road,” he said. “I’m not particularly eloquent at the moment, but thank you so much.” On a night when many stars used their trips to the podium for blatant self-promotion, Johnny Depp thanked his audience instead, giving us one more reason to adore him.

If you missed the program or would like to see Johnny’s winning moments again, the MTV website has the entire show online: Johnny is featured in clips #17 and #24 here. The Zone thanks everyone who posted updates on the awards as they aired live on the East coast, and AnaMaria, Lu and Carasun for photographs. Thanks to Denise for the clip information and Theresa for her report on the News & Views forum. For an account of the MTV Movie Awards from E! Online, with a full list of winners, click here. For a picture of Johnny Depp holding his Golden Popcorn award, click here.

Congratulations, Johnny! And thanks very much for Sweeney Todd and Captain Jack Sparrow; thanks for giving us a reason to go to the movies. –Part-Time Poet