Johnny Depp is the world's highest paid actor, according to the 2012 edition of Guinness Book of World Records.<br/> But despite his riches, he said he had no trouble with going back to his humble roots.<br/> The actor has made more than 60 films and is renowned for playing off-beat, quirky characters, including his Oscar nominated turn as Captain Jack Sparrow in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise.<br/> Still, the actor, who dropped out of high school at 15 to become a rock musician, seems to have the rare power in Hollywood to call the shots.<br/> But Depp said even he was dumbfounded at his success.<br/> SOUNDBITE: Johnny Depp, saying (English):<br/> "There's no way to define anything. I only know what I know. And it doesn't necessarily mean that I have a great handle on it myself. It's just sort of what I do, what I've wanted to do or what I've done. I guess because I've always been ok with going back to pumping gas."<br/> The Hollywood star was on the red carpet for the European premiere of his latest project "The Rum Diary", in London on Thursday (November 3).<br/> The film is based on a novel by his good friend and writer, the late Hunter S. Thompson.<br/> The film's director Bruce Robinson was pulled out of obscurity to direct the movie.<br/> Depp saw his British cult classic "Withnail & I" and thought he would be perfect for the job.<br/> Robinson said Depp finally won him over with a persistent but gentle nudge.<br/> SOUNDBITE: Writer/Director Bruce Robinson, saying (English):<br/> "He was tenacious and persuasive and kept bugging me and if you're being bullied by Johnny Depp, it's like being hit with a flower, it was very nice."<br/> But "The Rum Diary" struggled in its opening weekend in the United States, according to the latest box office figures released on Monday (October 31).<br/> It took in only five million, a significant loss considering it cost 45 million dollars to make, and could end up being one of the biggest flops of his career.<br/> Still, Depp still has a few million and his gas-pumping skills to fall back on.<br/> Cindy Martin, Reuters
