Johnny Depp Makes Unexpected Appearance As Captain Jack Sparrow

Johnny Depp brought joy, and a bit of pirate swagger, to children at Niño Jesús University Children's Hospital in Madrid on Monday, June 16, when he made a surprise visit dressed as his iconic "Pirates of the Caribbean" character, Captain Jack Sparrow.

The 62-year-old actor, currently in Spain filming his upcoming movie "Day Drinker," slipped into full costume to meet with young patients in their hospital rooms.

Photos from the visit show Johnny Depp in full pirate regalia, laughing with children and sharing sweet pinky touches in a heartwarming display that delighted fans and hospital staff alike.

"From Osakidetza, and especially from all the staff at the Donostia University Hospital, we would like to express our infinite gratitude to Johnny Depp for his time, support, and energy, as well as to @sansebastianfes for facilitating this visit," the translation reads.

This isn’t the first time Depp has stepped back into Sparrow’s boots for a cause.

Just last year, in September 2024, the "Sweeney Todd" star visited Donostia University Hospital in San Sebastián, where he brought joy to children in the Pediatrics and Oncology ward while attending the San Sebastián Film Festival.

Over the years, the Oscar-nominated actor has made similar surprise visits in cities across the globe, including Paris, London, Vancouver, Brisbane, and several U.S. cities.

“He took the time to really engage with them and make them smile and laugh,” Patti Smith, a hospital spokesperson, said to ABC News after a 2017 visit to the BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver.

Plus, back in 2015, Johnny Depp and his "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" co-star Stephen Graham paid a memorable visit to Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, Australia. Fully decked out as their characters, Jack Sparrow and Scrum, the duo brought laughter and even a few gold coins to the young patients during the heartwarming surprise appearance.

“For me and my family, it was a fantastic time to meet up and speak with Johnny Depp and put a smile on everyone’s faces, especially my daughter,” Kossy Halemai said to CBS News. “She’s recovering well, and to see her smiling. I was emotional and proud.”

Nine years ago, during an appearance on "The Graham Norton Show," Depp opened up about why these visits hold such personal significance for him.

“I’ve spent time in Great Ormond Street [a London children’s hospital] where I was the parent when my daughter was ill,” he shared, referencing his daughter Lily-Rose’s battle with an E. Coli infection in 2007 that ultimately resulted in kidney failure. “I’ve known darkness in my life, but that was the darkest period ever when I was doing Sweeney.”

Depp added, “I’d always kind of done these visits, but after that, the visits became more and more important because the kids' bliss, you know, they’re so strong, they’re so courageous, but the parents are the ones who are slowly dying. And to be able to bring a smile or a giggle to these people means everything in the world to me.”

Depp originally brought Jack Sparrow to life in 2003's "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," starring alongside Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley. He would go on to portray the eccentric pirate in four additional films: "Dead Man's Chest" (2006), "At World's End" (2007), "On Stranger Tides" (2011), and "Dead Men Tell No Tales" (2017).

During his highly publicized 2022 legal battle with ex-wife Amber Heard, Depp said he had no intention of returning to "Pirates," even quipping that he wouldn’t do it “for $300 million and a million alpacas,” citing feelings of betrayal after Disney cut ties with him amid abuse allegations.

Despite the drama, fans and colleagues continue to campaign for his return.

In May 2024, franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer told Entertainment Weekly, “If it was up to me, [Johnny] would be in it.” He added, “He created Captain Jack. That was not on the page… That was his interpretation.”

While Disney has not officially confirmed Depp’s return to the franchise, a July 2023 report claimed there might still be a path back for the actor.

Regardless of what the future holds for Jack Sparrow on the big screen, Depp’s heartwarming hospital visits prove that his most enduring legacy may lie far beyond the high seas.