Corey Feldman, the actor best known for his roles in The Goonies and Stand by Me, recently made headlines by alleging that Johnny Depp played a role in him losing out on a part in the 1993 film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. Feldman shared the claim during a conversation on The Magnificent Others podcast hosted by Billy Corgan.
According to Feldman, he was originally cast to play Arnie Grape, the younger brother character that ultimately went to Leonardo DiCaprio, earning DiCaprio his first Academy Award nomination. Feldman told Corgan that Depp was cast after he was and allegedly whispered to the film’s producers that he “wasn’t fond” of Feldman and that Feldman was a “junkie” he didn’t want to work with. Feldman used the term “bitter” to describe his feelings about the situation and revealed this was the first time he had publicly shared the story.
Feldman emphatically denied that he was using drugs at the time, stating that he had recently gotten sober and had just come out of rehab when he was cast. He said he had been trying to support fellow actor River Phoenix, who was a friend and whom Feldman said Depp was spending time with then. Feldman suggested that the allegation Depp made to producers was inaccurate and still bothers him decades later.
Although Feldman’s account centers on his own experience, representatives for Depp did not immediately respond to requests for comment on these claims. It’s also worth noting that What’s Eating Gilbert Grape became a breakout role for DiCaprio, helping launch his career.
Feldman’s comments come amid ongoing public scrutiny and conversations about Hollywood casting, personal reputations, and how behind-the-scenes influences can shape careers long after a film’s release.
