Daniel Depp is an American novelist and screenwriter, and the older half-brother of Hollywood star Johnny Depp. He wrote the David Spandau crime novels, starting with Loser’s Town in 2009, and he co-wrote the script for Johnny’s 1997 film The Brave. He turns 73 on November 14, 2026, and he has spent most of his life away from the spotlight his brother lives in.
| Date of Birth | November 14, 1953 |
|---|---|
| Age | 73 years |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Occupation | Author |
| Brother | Johnny Depp |
| Siblings | Johnny Depp, Christi Dembrowski, Debbie Depp |
| Niece | Lily-Rose Depp |
| Books | Loser's Town (2009), Babylon Nights (2010), Devil's Dance (2015) |
Mason GoodingDaniel Depp Biography
Daniel Philip Depp was born on November 14, 1953, in Kentucky, United States. His mother, Betty Sue, worked as a waitress. His parents split when he was four, and he told The Scotsman in 2009 that he was never close to his biological father.
His mother then married John Christopher Depp, a civil engineer, in 1960. Christopher adopted Daniel and his younger sister Debbie, and both took the Depp surname. The couple later had two children of their own, Christi Dembrowski in 1960 and Johnny Depp on June 9, 1963.
The family rarely stayed in one place. “We moved every 15 minutes,” Daniel told The Guardian in 2009, adding that he once counted 75 different homes. He said the moves taught him to be resourceful, “but it’s isolating.” The family later settled in Miramar, Florida.
After high school, Daniel went to the University of Kentucky, where he studied classics and European history. He left before finishing a degree. His Scorpio birthday falls on November 14.
Daniel Depp and Johnny Depp
Daniel is ten years older than Johnny, and he helped raise him. “I used to take care of John when he was a little boy,” he told The Scotsman. The two share a mother, which makes them half-brothers on paper, but Daniel doesn’t like the label.
“It’s a little irritating, everybody referring to me as John’s half brother. It’s never a term we used,” he said in that same 2009 interview. He has also called the bond protective on both sides: “I’m very protective of John. We’re protective of each other.”
Their parents divorced in 1978. Their mother, later known as Betty Sue Palmer, died on May 20, 2016, in Los Angeles after a long illness. Johnny has spoken about her often, including her harsh temper during their childhood, during his court cases.
Daniel Depp Career
Daniel worked many jobs before he became an author. “I’ve worked digging ditches and as an engineering draftsman. I worked in libraries and bookstores,” he told The Scotsman. He also managed an art library at night and worked as a journalist.
Teaching took up a big part of his working life. He taught English at a middle school in San Jose, California, for about a decade. In the early 1990s, he and Johnny set up a production company called Scaramanga Bros.
Screenwriting
His first screen credit was Stuff (1993), a 12-minute documentary short about musician John Frusciante’s Hollywood house. Johnny and Butthole Surfers frontman Gibby Haynes directed it, while Daniel co-wrote it with Johnny and served as producer.
In 1994, Johnny asked Daniel to help rework the script for The Brave. Johnny directed and starred in the 1997 drama alongside Marlon Brando. It competed for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, but after harsh reviews it never got a cinema release in the United States.
Books
Daniel’s novels follow David Spandau, a former stuntman who becomes a private investigator in Hollywood. The first book, Loser’s Town, came out from Simon & Schuster in 2009. In it, Spandau is hired to protect a young actor named Bobby Dye, and Daniel wrote much of it at Johnny’s home in France.
Johnny read the book before it came out. “He said he liked it. You never quite know,” Daniel told The Guardian. The second book, Babylon Nights, followed in 2010 and sends Spandau to the Cannes Film Festival to guard actress Anna Mayhew.
The third book, Devil’s Dance, arrived in 2015 from a different publisher. Spandau is hired by producer Frank Jurado to find out who is behind a smear campaign against film director Jerry Margashack. Daniel hasn’t released a new novel since then.
Personal Life
Daniel keeps his private life far from the press. His author profile says he divides his time between California and Europe.
He rarely gives interviews. Most of what he has said in public came during the 2009 press run for Loser’s Town, when he spoke to The Guardian and The Scotsman about his books, his childhood and his brother.
Daniel Depp’s Net Worth
Daniel Depp’s net worth is estimated at $1 million to $5 million, based on his three book deals, his screenwriting and producing work, and about ten years as a teacher. His debut novel came out through Simon & Schuster, one of the biggest publishers in the United States, and his early film work came through the company he co-founded with Johnny.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Daniel Depp?
Daniel Depp was born on November 14, 1953. He turns 73 in 2026.
Is Daniel Depp Johnny Depp’s real brother?
Yes. They share a mother, Betty Sue, and Johnny’s father adopted Daniel as a child. Daniel says the family never used the word “half brother.”
What books has Daniel Depp written?
He wrote three David Spandau crime novels: Loser’s Town (2009), Babylon Nights (2010) and Devil’s Dance (2015).
Did Daniel Depp work on Johnny Depp’s films?
Yes. He co-wrote and produced the 1993 short Stuff, and he co-wrote the script for The Brave (1997), which Johnny directed and starred in.
What is Daniel Depp’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated at $1 million to $5 million, mostly from his books, screenwriting and teaching career.
