Johnny Depp's 'Blow' Inspiration Smuggler, George Jung, Dies At Age 78

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The inspiration behind Johnny Depp's incredible character in the movie, 'Blow,' -- George Jung -- has died at the age of 78.

According to multiple reports, the notorious cocaine smuggler died this morning at his home near the Boston area. The famous smuggler, known as Boston George, had recently been experiencing liver and kidney failure.

Apparently, things took a turn for the worst this past weekend while Jung was receiving hospice care in his home. George died with his wife, Ronda, and friend Roger by his side.

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George's official Twitter account tweeted a quote from the popular movie starring Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz today, saying, “May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face, and the winds of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars. 1942-2021."

If you haven't seen the movie, and you should, Depp follows George's incredible story of working with the Medellin Cartel and helping Pablo Escobar smuggle planes filled with cocaine into the United States. At the time, Escobar was responsible for 80 percent of the world's cocaine. To put it into perspective, it was about $420 million per week!

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In 2001, George's story was picked up by filmmakers and Jung praised the movie after seeing it stuck to his true story. At the time, it was considered making the film with a little more "Hollywood fantasy," but Depp wouldn't stand for it.

"Johnny got angry and said, ‘The guy’s right here, he’s still alive, so if you can’t do it right, then you can take your money and shove it up your a--,'" Jung revealed.

At first, George was hesitant about having Depp play him in the blockbuster film, saying, "Johnny played a narc in 21 Jump Street and a half-human, an androgynous barber in Edward Scissorhands, so I thought, ‘This isn’t going to work.'" Obviously, he was wrong.

George's family says they will have him cremated.