The Insider.com

As a man who is known to be cool, calm, and collected, you would probably never think of Johnny Depp as a crybaby, but in his early career he was labeled as such when he played the title character in the 1990 film Cry-Baby.

• July 04, 2012Rewind: Tom Cruise Skeptical of 'M:I' Sequel
• July 03, 2012Don't Mess with Tom Cruise as 'Jack Reacher'
• July 03, 2012'Steel Magnolias' Remake Gets A Trailer
• July 02, 2012First Look: Naomi Watts as Princess Diana
• July 02, 2012First Look: Adam's Big Screen Debut!
• July 01, 2012'Ted' Enjoys Magical Debut

For this Pop Culture Rewind, we take you back to 1989, when Depp was being interviewed for the film and talked about his growing image as an American sex symbol.

VIDEO: Johnny Depp and Winona Rider as a Couple

When asked about his sex symbol status that he attracted on 21 Jump Street, Depp replies, "The sex symbol, teen idol stuff—that's not my goal. I mean, if it happens in the interim, that's fine. It's, I'm glad people see me that way. I don't really see myself that way."

Although he didn't see himself as a sex symbol, Depp admits that attracting attention comes with the territory of being an actor.

VIDEO: Johnny Depp Talks 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'

"Being recognizable is part of the territory. It just comes with it," the then-28-year-old actor says. "When you're an actor...you're not doing it because you want to be anonymous...It's just something you have to deal with...It's part of your job."

Depp also had some very carefully crafted critical words on 21 Jump Street, which launched his career, and referred to it as merely a job.

RELATED: Johnny Depp is America's Favorite Actor

"In the first two seasons, I think there was a lot of good stuff going on...but I think that towards the third season it started to get a little showboat-y," he says. "It started to become false."

Check out the full flashback above to see more of the young Depp.

Previous Pop Culture Rewind: Patrick Swayze's Relationship Secret.