Stephen J. Cannell on Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt's Early Days

Johnny Depp got his career "jump start" on "21 Jump Street" back in 1987, but series creator Stephen J. Cannell tells ET that the Oscar nominee almost missed out.

"We had cast another guy [in the lead] who shall remain nameless. He was a very good actor, but was miscast," explains Cannell, who put out a new casting call, only to find Depp walk through the door. "He was just amazing. I directed the test myself … and it was pretty obvious -- he was the guy."

The show about baby-faced cops undercover in high school made Depp a teen idol, which was a role he didn't like.