Daniel Depp, born November 14, 1953, is the older half-brother of Johnny Depp.
Despite a tumultuous childhood, he pursued screenwriting and acting, contributing to films like The Brave.
Married since 1979, Daniel now lives a private life, focused on writing and pottery.
Though connected to Johnny’s fame, Daniel has stayed out of the spotlight.
Daniel Depp Quick Facts
Full Name | Daniel Depp |
Nick Name | Daniel |
Birthday | November 14, 1953 |
Age | 71 years old |
Birth Place | Owensboro, Kentucky, USA |
Horoscope | Scorpio |
Religion | Christianity |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Caucasian |
Education | University of Kentucky |
Father’s Name | Bob Palmer John Christopher Depp (Adoptive) |
Mother’s Name | Sue Palmer |
Siblings | Deborah J. Depp |
Half-Siblings | Johnny Depp Christina Depp |
Height | 5’8″ (1.77m) |
Weight | 85kg (187 lbs) |
Shoe Size | 12 |
Hair Color | White |
Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Physique (Figure) | Plus |
Married | Yes |
Relationship Status | Married |
Wife | Mahnaz Shams |
Partner | |
Son | 1 |
Daughter | |
Profession | Author, Screenwriter |
Net Worth | |
Social Media |
Early Life and Family Background
Daniel Depp, born on November 14, 1953, is currently 71 years old as of 2025.
He was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, and he is the oldest of four siblings.
Betty Sue Palmer and Bob Palmer raised him, but he has not revealed details about his biological parents.
Daniel Depp’s family moved frequently during his childhood because his parents’ jobs required it.
He lived in many places, including Owensboro, Lexington, and Miramar, Florida.
He attended at least five different high schools before he studied European History and Classics at the University of Kentucky.
At first, Daniel Depp wanted to become an architect.
Many people recognize him as the older half-brother of actor Johnny Depp.
Even with a ten-year age gap, the two brothers have maintained a close bond throughout their lives.
Suggested Read: Brad Mondo Biography: Age, Twin, Gay, Business & Net Worth
Adoption Story
Daniel Depp’s mother, Betty Sue Palmer, married Bob Palmer when they were both young.
They had two children: Daniel Depp and Deborah J. Depp.
Their marriage ended while Daniel and Deborah were still young.
Later, Betty married John Christopher Depp, a civil engineer. After marrying Betty, John adopted Daniel and Deborah as his own children.
Betty and John had two more children together: Johnny Depp and Christina Depp.
They were one big happy family… until they weren’t.
John and Betty eventually called it quits and ended their marriage in divorce.
Sadly, Betty passed away in May 2016, leaving behind her children and a legacy of love.
Suggested Read: Is WhistlinDiesel Married Today? Divorced From Rachel
Growing up with Johnny Depp & Christi
Daniel has two half-siblings from his mother’s second marriage to John: Johnny (born in 1963) and Christi Depp-Dembrowski (born in 1960).
Johnny Depp is a famous actor and musician, widely known for his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series.
Daniel has two half-siblings from his mother’s second marriage to John: Johnny (born in 1963) and Christi Depp-Dembrowski (born in 1960).
Johnny Depp is a famous actor and musician, widely known for his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series.
Daniel shares a close bond with his half-siblings. Christi works as a production assistant and film producer, focusing on behind-the-scenes roles.
Despite Johnny’s fame, Daniel and his siblings maintained a close relationship during their upbringing.
Daniel revealed in an interview that they were very close, and he even babysat Johnny when Johnny was younger.
They never experienced sibling rivalry since they chose different career paths.
Having a well-known half-sibling like Johnny came with challenges. Daniel explained that when he visited Los Angeles to pitch scripts, producers often wanted to involve Johnny instead.
Despite these obstacles, Daniel emphasized that there was no bitterness or competition between them. They always supported and cared for each other.
Even though Johnny’s fame could have opened doors, Daniel avoided using the Depp name to advance his career.
He even considered not using it when publishing his book. However, he admitted that the name added some credibility to his work.
Suggested Read: Niki Richard Dalgliesh Cavill Biography, Henry Cavill
Betty Was Violent
Contrary to popular belief, Daniel and his siblings did not have a happy childhood.
Johnny Depp has openly discussed the struggles their family faced due to their mother, Betty Sue Palmer.
Betty was violent and unpredictable, creating an unsafe and unstable environment. The children lived cautiously, fearing her sudden physical and emotional abuse.
Betty often used objects like ashtrays, high-heeled shoes, or phones to hurt them. Her harsh words also caused emotional damage.
When Johnny turned 15, their father, John Christopher Depp, left the family.
He told Johnny, “You’re now the man of the house,” before leaving for work one morning and never returning.
Daniel and his siblings supported each other during this difficult time, relying on their bond to endure the hardships.
Suggested Read: Meet Kaitlyn Paevey, Ryan Paevey’s Sister
Relationship with Johnny Depp
Both Daniel and Johnny have spoken about their strong bond in interviews. Johnny shared with Rolling Stone in 2003, “We did everything together.”
In a 2006 interview with Parade magazine, Johnny called Daniel his “buddy.”
While Daniel appreciates his brother’s success, he has said he dislikes being referred to as Johnny’s half-brother, even after all these years.
Suggested Read: Inside Laura Govan’s Life: Gilbert Arenas Lawsuit, Family
A career in the Film Industry
In 1994, Daniel received a screenwriting opportunity and worked with Johnny on the movie The Brave.
Daniel loved filmmaking but hesitated to take the project because he felt pressure from being Johnny’s brother and anticipated challenges.
The movie was made, with Johnny investing $2 million of his own money.
Unfortunately, the film received poor reviews after its U.S. premiere, and theaters avoided it. As a result, the film was never officially released in the U.S.
Suggested Read: Meet Diane Addonizio, Howie Long’s Wife
Acting Career and Filmography
In addition to writing, Daniel appeared in several movies and TV shows.
He played a young Frank Zappa in the documentary Eat That Question and appeared in an episode of CSI: Miami.
Daniel also worked on films like Blow and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
However, he clarified in interviews that acting was never his first choice.
He pursued acting only when opportunities arose, which brought him success but wasn’t his primary passion.
Suggested Read: Who Is Kristine Saryan? Meet Scott Patterson’s Wife
Personal Life and Relationships
Daniel keeps his personal life details lowkey but never holds back from mentioning his wife whenever he gets an opportunity.
Although many internet tabloids suggest Daniel isn’t married yet or is in a long-term relationship, this is untrue—he is a married man.
Suggested Read: Meet Allie Elliot, Graham Elliot’s Ex-Wife
Marital Status and Family Life
Daniel married his long-time girlfriend, Mahnaz Shams, in 1979 when he was 25.
They had a private wedding attended by close family and friends. The couple welcomed their son in 1990 and have maintained a happy married life.
Daniel once shared that his wife took a job in Maine, prompting the family to relocate there.
Suggested Read: Meet Alexa Havins, Justin Bruening’s Wife & Their Kids
Hobbies and Interests
As a teenager, Daniel dreamed of becoming an architect, although this did not materialize.
He has always enjoyed writing and spends his time working with pottery and ceramics.
Suggested Read: Meet Josh Blue’s Ex-Wife Yuko Kubota?
Upcoming Acting Roles
The French biography La Favorite, which will serve as Johnny’s comeback film, is now being prepared for distribution.
In addition, a few additional films will hit theatres this year, with Wonka and Aquaman: the Lost Kingdom being among the most anticipated.
Suggested Read: Meet Kari Hillsman, Rick Fox’s Ex-Wife | Wiki
Involvement in Family Matters
Johnny recently faced public scrutiny during legal battles with his ex-wife, Amber Heard.
Both accused each other of verbal, physical, and psychological abuse, leading to global attention and prolonged trials.
While millions followed the case, Daniel stayed out of the spotlight and avoided public comments or media appearances.
Suggested Read: Lakeisha Mims [Yo Gotti’s Partner] Wiki & Unknown Facts
Effect on Personal and Professional Life
His career suffered a significant hit as a result of the claims and defamation action overall. Since the investigation began, he has been dropped from several high-profile films.
The Depp family, as noted, hardly discussed the incident, but it must have affected their personal lives as well.
Suggested Read: Polly Tsai [Ming Tsai’s Wife] Wiki, Age, Cancer, Now
Impact on the Film Industry
Johnny Depp is celebrated as one of Hollywood’s most talented actors, known for portraying a wide range of characters.
His portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean series remains especially iconic.
Suggested Read: Jaelynn Blakey [Aaron Donald Ex] Age, Kids, Partner, Now
Future Projects
Daniel stepped away from the entertainment industry years ago and has built a reputation in his current field.
Meanwhile, Johnny is working on rebuilding his career and reclaiming his reputation.