Johnny Depp joins a long line of white people who decided to take roles that were pretty out of their wheelhouse. A small sampling.
Burt Lancaster, Apache, 1954
Lancaster plays an Apache soldier captured by Americans. Jenni Monet writes, "The reality is, Native Americans have long suffered a public relations problem in a society that would rather regard today’s Indians as relics of the past."
Via: thefilmographer.blogspot.com
Mickey Rooney, Breakfast at Tiffany's, 1961
Mickey Rooney plays a Japanese man. Asian Week gives this character the No. 2 spot on its list of "The 25 Most Infamous Yellow Face Film Performances."
Via: digitalspy.com
Chuck Connors, Geronimo, 1962
Connors plays Geronimo, leader of the Apache resistance movement until 1886. Comedian Charlie Hill said in the film Reel Injun, "Chuck Connors as Geronimo! That’s like Adam Sandler as Malcolm X!"
Via: albiethegood.blogspot.com
Laurence Olivier, Othello, 1965
Olivier played the Shakespearean character, who is labeled a "Moor" in the play. A contemporary review of the film said he looked like the “end man in an American minstrel show.”
