Johnny Depp stunned residents of the quiet Welsh suburban street known as Cwmdonkin Drive with a surprise visit to the birthplace of poet Dylan Thomas.
The 60-year-old actor admitted he was “still floating” after visiting the Infernal Poet’s home in the Uplands area of Swansea while touring with his rock band Hollywood Vampires.
Describing himself as a Thomas “fiend,” Johnny said recordings of his work reading to Richard Burton gave him “the best sleep ever.”
Wearing a crocheted hat, sunglasses and a bevy of jewelry, Depp toured the tiny home at 5 Cwmdonkin Drive where the writer grew up.
The actor has also been dependent on a crutch after suffering a “painful” ankle injury last month that forced him to postpone his US tour dates.
Look who it is! Johnny Depp stunned residents of the quiet Welsh suburban street known as Cwmdonkin Drive with a surprise visit to the birthplace of poet Dylan Thomas
Iconic: The actor admitted he was “still floating” after visiting the Infernal Poet’s home in the Uplands area of Swansea during a tour with his rock band Hollywood Vampires
Iconic: The property where poet Thomas was born in 1914 was restored in 2005 to look like it did when he lived there, having previously been used as student accommodation
Born in Uplands, Swansea, in 1914, Thomas rose to fame as a poet and storyteller with works such as ‘Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night’ and ‘Under Milk Wood’.
Depp said he’s been a fan of Thomas since he was “10 or 12” after his brother gifted him a collection of short stories called “Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog.”
And before he left, Depp signed the guest book: “All respect, Johnny.”
The Pirates of the Caribbean star revealed that he falls asleep “a couple of times a week” while listening to Thomas’ play Under Milk Wood.
He told Nation Cymru, “I was still floating a little bit after being in the room where Under Milk Wood started and so much poetry was written.” So amazed.
“It’s so strong… on this visit you can see where his thoughts came from and there’s a lot to grasp when you’re a brute like me.”
“My older brother introduced me to all these authors as a kid that I wasn’t ready for when I was 10 or 12.”
“Dylan Thomas, the first thing he gave me as a kid was Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog, so that was the first thing and then of course all the poetry, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night, all the stuff that just goes with it your head apart.
Good ghosts! Describing himself as a Thomas ‘devil’, Johnny said recordings of his work reading to Richard Burton gave him ‘the best sleep ever’.
Casual: The actor was also dependent on a crutch after suffering a “painful” ankle injury last month, which forced him to postpone his US tour dates
The childhood home of Dylan Thomas: A shrine to a literary legend
Dylan Thomas became one of Wales’ best-known poets and began writing his iconic works at his childhood home on Cwmdonkin Drive.
The Birthplace of Dylan Thomas is a ‘living museum’, celebrating the life and work of the celebrated Swansea poet and writer.
It’s run as a ‘labor of love’ by Geoff, who now owns the house and his family, along with a small team of volunteers.
The house was restored in 2005 to how it looked when Thomas lived there, having previously been used as student accommodation.
Born in the front room of the house in 1914, Thomas is best known for his poetry and short stories, including Under Milk Wood.
He remained there until 1937, when his parents moved out of what he later described as a “Glamorgan mansion” overlooking “the long and glorious sweeping bank”.
His house, number 5, was one of six houses built between 1913 and 1915 after planning permission was granted in 1908 to a Mr. T. Lewis.
Dylan’s birthplace had four bedrooms, including a tiny room where he began his literary career, with his “closet” containing the only working gas lamp in the house and a single bed.
His home also included a “lounge” reserved for visitors and special occasions, a study for Dylan’s father, a sitting room for dining, and a typical Edwardian kitchen, bathroom, and wash house.
While Dylan is now known for his poetic works, his life was short and riddled with alcohol and infidelity.
He is known to have cheated on his wife, Caitlin, with American journalist Pearl Kazin, and their stormy marriage never recovered.
Caitlin, portrayed by Sienna Miller in the 2008 biopic The Edge of Love, is said to have never forgiven the poet for his affair with Kazin, with whom he embarked on a widely publicized tour of Europe at the height of their affair.
In later life, Thomas gained a reputation as a “boisterous, drunken, and doomed poet,” which he encouraged.
The exact cause of his death in 1953 at the age of 39 in New York is still a matter of debate – whether it was pneumonia or an alcoholic coma while on a literary tour.
Big fan: Depp said he’s been a fan of Thomas since he was about 10 or 12 years old after his brother gifted him a collection of short stories called ‘Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog’
celebrity guest! And before he left Thomas’ place of birth, Depp wrote in the guest book: “All respect always, Johnny.”
Candid: The ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ star revealed that he falls asleep ‘a couple of times a week’ while listening to Thomas’ play ‘Under Milk Wood’.
surprise fan! He told Nation Cymru, “I was still floating a little bit after being in the room where Under Milk Wood started and so much poetry was written.” So amazed
Proud: Homeowner Geoff Haden said ‘It was amazing. I would say it was the best house tour we’ve ever done’ (Picture far right with expert Alun Gibbard, Johnny and Sarah Haden)
Praised: The Birthplace of Dylan Thomas is a ‘living museum’ paying tribute to the life and work of celebrated Swansea poet and writer Dylan Thomas
“Then Under Milk Wood was the first time Under Milk Wood really grabbed me.”
“It was maybe the combination of the brilliance of Dylan Thomas’s linguistic, linguistic and descriptive skills and the combination of that with Richard Burton’s incredible…that voice, the presence of his voice.” Richard Burton could be the whole play.
“He’s the one who, I think, nails the humor best, the really dry one.” “He was a lovely person.”
Depp also said it was a “huge honor” to tour the home, adding: “I would highly recommend it to anyone who has trouble falling asleep; Turn off the lights, get Richard Burton reading Under Milk Wood, and fall asleep while you do it. It’s the best sleep I’ve ever had.
“I would do that all the time.” For years. i still do it Yes. At least a few times a week. I followed in his footsteps a bit. I’ll remember that for a while.’
Homeowner Geoff Haden said, “It was amazing.” I would say it was the best house tour we’ve ever done. He was absolutely lovely, very humble and he loved the house.
“He couldn’t get over the fact that we had done so much work here.” He was extremely accommodating, it was like someone we knew really well stopped by for coffee!
“And his knowledge of Dylan was evident. “He knew so much more about Dylan than most people, he couldn’t believe he was here to visit his birthplace and the place where Dylan wrote two-thirds of his work.”
The Birthplace of Dylan Thomas is a ‘living museum’ paying tribute to the life and work of the celebrated Swansea poet and writer Dylan Thomas.
It is run as a ‘labor of love’ by Geoff and his family and a small team of volunteers.
Author and Dylan Thomas expert Alun Gibbard said, “He was really excited, by the end he was a little overwhelmed and emotional just thinking about being in the place where Dylan was born and raised.”
“He was a very warm person, which made the whole tour even more enjoyable.”
“He was very grateful to be able to visit us — and he signed our guest book and left us a donation, but we didn’t realize it until a staff member told us — he wouldn’t have made a song or dance of it anything.” .’
While Dylan is now known for his poetic works, his life was short and riddled with alcohol and infidelity.
Important: It is run as a ‘labor of love’ by Geoff and his family and a small team of volunteers
Superstar: Johnny traveled to Wales as part of his tour with his band Hollywood Vampires and posed for snaps with staff at the Grand Hotel during his trip to Swansea
Where everything began! Dylan’s birthplace had four bedrooms, including a tiny room where he began his literary career, and his “closet” housed the only working gas lamp in the house
Hard times: While Dylan is now known for his poetic works, his life was marred by alcohol and infidelity and he died in 1953 at the age of 39
He is known to have cheated on his wife, Caitlin, with American journalist Pearl Kazin, and their stormy marriage never recovered.
Caitlin, portrayed by Sienna Miller in the 2008 biopic The Edge of Love, is said to have never forgiven the poet for his affair with Kazin, with whom he embarked on a widely publicized tour of Europe at the height of their affair.
In later life, Thomas gained a reputation as a “boisterous, drunken, and doomed poet,” which he encouraged.
The exact cause of his death in 1953 at the age of 39 in New York is still a matter of debate – whether it was pneumonia or an alcoholic coma during a literary tour.
Johnny’s performance comes after his painful ankle injury forced him to postpone the American leg of his band’s upcoming tour.
After injuring his ankle while promoting his film Jeanne Du Barry at the Cannes Film Festival in June, a source told TMZ at the time that the star “made it even more stressful” at the tribute show to his late friend Jeff got when he tried to get through”. Beck.
A source told the publication that the father-of-two “has suffered a fractured ankle and has been advised by his medical team not to fly for the foreseeable future.”
This means that the actor “Edward Scissorhands” could not appear in the next three Hollywood Vampires shows, which were scheduled to take place in June in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York.