Ross King: Johnny Depp is good at more than acting

Actor Johnny Depp rocks out with Alice Cooper (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

That’s another awards show over, just the big one to go before I hang up my tuxedo for the season.

The Grammys are always fun. Where else can you see Alice Cooper on the red carpet brandishing a whip, alongside Johnny Depp and Aerosmith legend Joe Perry?

They’re in a band called The Hollywood Vampires. I chatted with Joe and he told me Johnny’s the real deal.

“It’s great to have him part of the band as he’s such a great player,” said Joe.

Good-looking, huge film star – and now the brilliant guitarist from Aerosmith says you can really play . . . where did it all go wrong for Johnny?

Actor Johnny Depp rocks out at The Grammys (Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Talking of looking good, if you’ve wondered how pop star Carrie Underwood stays in such incredible shape on tour, she goes to the gym.
Actually, it’s more of a gym on the go.

She’s playing the Clyde Auditorium on March 11 to kick off the UK leg of her world tour and, now she’s a Mum, decided to treat herself to a mobile fitness centre.

Speaking of getting fit, I’m just about ready for the Oscars. The tux is pressed, the shoes are polished and the microphone is, well, whatever it is you do to a microphone to make sure it’s ready.

I reckon I’ll be reporting that Sylvester Stallone will have won the Best Supporting Actor trophy next week.

Sly is nominated for his role as Rocky Balboa after first winning for playing the resolute pugilist a staggering 39 years ago.

Our man Stallone is a shoo-in for the gong. I think the Academy will like the idea of someone winning the award for the same role after nearly four decades.

Pub quiz time – can you name the five actors who have won two Oscar nominations for playing the same role?

Bing Crosby, as Father O’Malley, did it for Going My Way (1944) and The Bells Of St. Mary’s (’45), and Peter O’Toole did it for his portrayal of Henry II in Becket (’64) and The Lion In Winter (’68).

Al Pacino was nominated for his role as Michael in The Godfather (’72) and The Godfather Part II (1974), while Cate Blanchett, as Queen Elizabth, was nominated for Elizabeth (’98) and Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007).

But the brilliant Paul Newman, as Fast Eddie Felson, has the longest gap, 35 years, with The Hustler (’61) and actually won the Oscar for The Color Of Money (’86).
Can Sly land a new 39-year record? I reckon it’ll be a knockout blow!

Ross King: Mr Selfridge’s Jeremy Piven is sad to see the show come to an end