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Johnny Depp Has Considered Becoming a Mohel

Actor says he’s given ‘serious thought’ to the profession

by
Stephanie Butnick
January 29, 2015
Actor Johnny Depp at the premiere of 'Mortdecai' on January 21, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Actor Johnny Depp at the premiere of 'Mortdecai' on January 21, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Johnny Depp and Paul Bettany, in Berlin doing publicity for their confusing new film ‘Mortdecai‘ this week, had a particularly revealing interview with Israeli entertainment show ‘Erev Tov With Guy Pines.’

“How familiar are you with the Jewish tradition of Purim?” the host asks, to which Paul Bettany responds Britishly, “I’m woefully unaware of it.”

“Johnny, you heard of Purim?” the host tries.

“No,” Depp responds, “but I can tell you that I have given serious though to becoming a…”

“A Jew?” the host excitedly interjects.

“A mohel,” Depp deadpans.

“Like an emergency mohel,” Bettany offers.

“That’s it. It’s more like an on-call mohel,” Depp adds.

All of which, if nothing else, might explain Johnny Depp’s affinity for a character named Mortdecai.

[Thanks to Tablet contributor Ruth Margalit for the tip-off.]

Stephanie Butnick is chief strategy officer of Tablet Magazine, co-founder of Tablet Studios, and a host of the Unorthodox podcast.