New photo–Johnny Depp spends his birthday in Chicago, shooting PUBLIC ENEMIES

Chicago’s Clark Street played host to the PUBLIC ENEMIES cast and crew yesterday (Monday, June 9), and well-wishers called out “Happy Birthday” to Johnny Depp between takes as he filmed a car chase scene. To see a larger version of our photo of JD in costume as John Dillinger, leaning against a vintage car, click here. Celeb TV.com reports, “On set in downtown Chicago, the still-boyish actor–who plays bank robber John Dillinger in the gangster flick–sweetly smiled and waved to a few dozen teenage and twentysomething fans, who hooted out greetings like, ‘You’re so hot!’ and ‘We love you!'” During a brief rain delay, “instead of running for cover, Depp grabbed an umbrella and chatted with fans.” It was Johnny’s birthday, but the fans got the present . . . . The Zone thanks Bonnie for the photo and Emma for the CelebTV.com story. You can read more details on the News & Views forum, in the thread called “PUBLIC ENEMIES in Chicago.”

PUBLIC ENEMIES is now headed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where shooting is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, June 10th, at the Milwaukee County Historical Society. –Part-Time Poet

Happy Birthday, Johnny Depp!

It’s June 9th, Johnny Depp’s birthday, so the members of the Johnny Depp Zone send all best wishes and love to the man himself–we hope the coming year will bring an abundance of joy and good health to Johnny and his loved ones, and plenty of career satisfaction as well. (And, please God, no SAG strike.) Johnny’s birthday is a holiday on the Zone; we celebrate all that Johnny has brought to us through his work and his personal inspiration. Those who wish to salute Johnny in a tangible way are welcome to contribute to the 2008 Birthday Project in Johnny’s honor; today is the final day we are accepting donations for American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. You can read more about the 2008 Birthday Project here.

We thank Johnny Depp for having given us so many reasons to celebrate over the past twenty-odd years. The past year has been especially marvelous, with the triumph of SWEENEY TODD and the excitement of PUBLIC ENEMIES. May the year to come be full of delights, and may the joy Johnny has brought to our lives return to him in a constant wave of blessing. –Part-Time Poet