Jack Sparrow, a Charitable Pirate

With wide eyes, some of the young cancer patients at Madrid's Niño Jesús Hospital were astonished to see none other than Jack Sparrow appear. Actor Johnny Depp (Owensboro, 62), dressed as the legendary and universal character from 'Pirates of the Caribbean', became a charitable pirate of hearts, bringing smiles to the children with his jokes and sleight of hand amidst IV drips, white coats, stethoscopes, monitors, and isolating glass walls.

Depp surprised everyone with his unexpected and lengthy visit to the public children's hospital in the Community of Madrid, where he stayed for more than five hours, as reported yesterday. Characterised as Captain Sparrow, the protagonist of the long-running buccaneer saga, the usually stern Depp displayed "a great sense of humour," according to those who accompanied him on the visit. The actor does not speak fluent Spanish "but engaged in many mime games with the kids, and the language barrier was hardly noticeable," said the hospital staff.

Depp visited nearly every room in the oncology ward to greet and entertain the patients and their families. Dressed as in his adventurous films, he repeated the most recognised gestures of the pirate saga character before the astonished and delighted children. Many did not believe they were seeing the real Depp and thought it was a very good impersonation. Some patients did not know the famous pirate but recognised the actor from his role as Willy Wonka, like the girl who sang him a song from that movie.

Depp chose the oncology ward because its patients spend the most time hospitalised. He wanted it to be a discreet visit, without media presence, to see the children and teenagers individually. He interacted with several transplant patients, dedicating as much time as he deemed necessary. With some, he stayed for half an hour, and with others, isolated by glass, he spoke through an intercom. There were hugs, photos, gifts, and autographs. "He showed great interest in the children and spoke with all the families," said the hospital staff.

The public hospital in Madrid is a leader in oncohematology, a specialty that diagnoses, studies, and treats cancers affecting the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system.

This is not the first time Depp has made a charitable visit to a hospital. Last September, he brought Captain Sparrow to the Hospital of Donostia and has done the same in several cities in the United States and European capitals such as Paris and London.

The actor, who is finishing filming his new movie 'Day Drinker' in Madrid with Penélope Cruz under the direction of Marc Webb, will return to London this week. During his stay in Spain, he also filmed a commercial for a Dior perfume, for which he has been the face for years. Recently, Depp visited the Reina Sofía Museum and was photographed with Penélope Cruz in front of Picasso's Guernica.

"New surprise at Niño Jesús, the hospital of magic," wrote Isabel Díaz Ayuso, President of the Community of Madrid, on her X profile, attaching a video of part of the visit, in which the actor greets one of the children in Spanish with a "hello."