Johnny Depp donned the Jack Sparrow costume again to bring smiles to sick children.

Johnny Depp, the legendary actor behind Pirates of the Caribbean’s Captain Jack Sparrow, has once again brought his beloved character to life—not for a film, but to brighten the day of young patients at a children’s hospital in Madrid.

On Monday, June 16, while in Spain filming his latest movie “Day Drinker”, Depp made a surprise appearance at Niño Jesús University Children’s Hospital, fully dressed as the swashbuckling pirate that has made him a household name for two decades.

A Visit Full of Magic and Smiles

In photos that quickly made their way across Spanish media and social platforms, the 62-year-old actor can be seen in full Captain Jack Sparrow regalia—messy dreadlocks, signature eyeliner, tricorn hat, and all—touching pinkies, laughing, and joking with young patients inside the hospital rooms.

Children, nurses, and families were visibly touched by the actor’s presence. One heartwarming image shows Depp crouching down to lock eyes with a child in bed, exchanging a “pirate’s pinky promise”—a gesture fans of Depp’s previous hospital visits will recognize.

According to hospital staff, Depp stayed in character the entire time, charming the children with tales of high seas adventure and mischief, much like his famous on-screen persona. Many parents were brought to tears seeing their children smile so brightly, even amid difficult medical treatment.

“The visit was not only a surprise, it was a magical moment,” said one nurse. “Johnny didn’t just play a role—he created joy.”

Not His First Pirate Voyage to a Hospital

This is far from Johnny Depp’s first time showing up as Jack Sparrow at children’s hospitals. The actor has made it a personal mission over the years to use the beloved character to bring happiness to children battling illness around the world.

In September 2024, Depp made a similar visit to Donostia University Hospital in San Sebastián, Spain. That visit coincided with his attendance at the San Sebastián Film Festival, and photos from the hospital’s social media showed him meeting kids in the Pediatrics and Oncology wards. Spanish newspaper El Diario Vasco reported that Depp never once broke character, cracking jokes and speaking like the rum-loving pirate even to the medical staff.

Past visits have also included stops in London, Vancouver, Paris, Brisbane, and cities across the United States, always dressed as Sparrow and always with the same goal: to make children laugh in the toughest moments of their lives.

“For me, it’s a gift to see their eyes light up. They’re the real heroes,” Depp once said during a hospital visit in Australia.

Filming “Day Drinker” in Spain

Depp’s visit came during a break from the filming of his upcoming movie “Day Drinker”, currently being shot in various parts of Spain. While details of the plot remain closely guarded, the film reportedly marks a return to Depp’s darker, more character-driven roles, following his critically acclaimed performance as King Louis XV in Jeanne du Barry.

“Day Drinker” is said to explore themes of loneliness, addiction, and redemption—perhaps echoing elements of Depp’s own personal journey in recent years. After a long period of legal turmoil, media scrutiny, and creative silence, the actor has slowly returned to the spotlight, now more focused and intentional than ever.

A Personal Mission Beyond the Camera

Depp’s continued visits to children’s hospitals—especially during the production of a demanding film—highlight something rare in celebrity culture: a deep and genuine commitment to others.

Fans often speak of Depp’s kindness and emotional intelligence, but it’s these quiet, often unpublicized hospital visits that reveal the true heart behind the Hollywood icon.

For the children who met him, it wasn’t about meeting a movie star.
It was about feeling like they met a real-life pirate who made them forget their pain—even just for a moment.

“He’s not just a character on screen,” said a parent at Niño Jesús Hospital. “He’s someone who sees our children. And that means everything.”

Fans Around the World React

As news of Depp’s hospital visit spread across social media, fans responded with overwhelming praise and emotion.

On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #CaptainJackReturns and #JohnnyDeppHeartOfGold began trending.

“This is the Johnny Depp the media doesn’t talk enough about,” one user wrote.
“He’s been through so much, yet he still shows up for others.”
“Our Captain forever. Thank you for never forgetting the little ones.”

Others pointed out that Depp’s return to Jack Sparrow for such visits—despite Disney’s uncertain stance on continuing the Pirates franchise with him—speaks volumes about who truly owns the heart of the character.

“He may never play Jack in the movies again,” one fan posted, “but to these kids, he is Jack Sparrow. That’s what counts.”

What’s Next for Depp?

Aside from finishing “Day Drinker,” Depp is reportedly considering a limited European tour with his band, Hollywood Vampires, later this year, followed by work on a documentary focused on mental health and creative healing.

Whether or not he ever returns to the big screen as Jack Sparrow, one thing is certain:
Johnny Depp has never stopped being a hero to the ones who need it most.