**HOLLYWOOD STUNNED: Johnny Depp Announces Retirement Date, Bidding Farewell to Acting Career**
**HOLLYWOOD STUNNED: Johnny Depp Announces Retirement Date, Bidding Farewell to Acting Career**
*By Alicia Monroe | April 25, 2025 | Los Angeles, California*
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, legendary actor Johnny Depp has officially announced his retirement from Hollywood, marking the end of an era for one of cinema’s most enigmatic and beloved stars. The 61-year-old actor made the stunning declaration during an emotional press conference in Paris Thursday night, revealing that he will step away from acting after the release of his final film in 2026.
“It’s time,” Depp said, addressing an audience of international journalists and fans. “I’ve given everything I have to this world—the characters, the chaos, the creativity. But now I want to breathe a different kind of air.”
### The Announcement That Shook Hollywood
Depp, dressed in his signature layered style and tinted glasses, appeared visibly emotional as he spoke about his decades-long journey in film and the toll it has taken on him. The actor cited a desire to focus on his personal life, music, and art, while also hinting at deep disillusionment with the industry that once revered him as its most iconic outsider.
“The truth is, Hollywood isn’t the place it used to be,” Depp said. “It’s changed. Maybe I’ve changed too. I’m not bitter—I’m just ready.”
The announcement comes after years of personal and professional turbulence, including a highly publicized legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard, which polarized public opinion and nearly derailed his career. While Depp emerged victorious in court and received widespread support from fans, he admitted the ordeal left lasting scars.
“There were days I didn’t think I’d ever work again,” he confessed. “And maybe that wouldn’t have been the worst thing. But I fought back because I knew I still had stories to tell. Now, I’ve told them. The curtain’s closing—and I’m okay with that.”
### Final Film in 2026
Depp confirmed that his final acting role will be in an untitled independent project directed by acclaimed French filmmaker Olivier Saillard, set to begin production later this year. While details remain tightly under wraps, sources close to the project describe it as a “haunting, introspective swan song” that draws heavily from Depp’s own life and artistic legacy.
“It’s the most personal role I’ve ever taken,” Depp said. “In many ways, it feels like saying goodbye through a character who understands me—maybe more than I understand myself.”
The film is expected to premiere at Cannes in 2026, where Depp is rumored to be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award.
### A Storied Career
Johnny Depp’s career spans over four decades and includes some of the most iconic and transformative roles in modern film. From his early breakout in *21 Jump Street* to his unforgettable portrayals in *Edward Scissorhands*, *Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas*, *Pirates of the Caribbean*, and *Sweeney Todd*, Depp built a reputation for disappearing into roles, embracing the eccentric,