Johnny Depp, Hunter Thompson and the Cannon

Posted on May 31, 2005

Funerals don't get much weirder than this. Actor Johnny Depp, who played gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson in the film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, is footing the bill for the unusual sendoff for the deceased writer. Thompson's ashes will be fired from a cannon housed in a giant fist-shaped monument. The cannon firing will be the highlight of the August 20th memorial service.

The service, to be held in the Colorado hamlet where the 67-year-old Thompson shot himself on February 20, will also be attended by Hollywood luminaries Sean Penn and Jack Nicholson, said Thompson's friend Troy Hooper.
"Johnny got involved with this project shortly after Hunter's suicide," said Hooper, who is also associate editor of Thompson's local newspaper, the Aspen Daily News. "Hunter had discussed this idea of having his remains fired out of a cannon on film and in the interviews and Johnny has the means and the wherewithal to make this happen," Hooper said.

So, why a giant fist? Glad you asked. It's the "gonzo" fist that came to symbolize gonzo journalism, and appeared on the front of many of Thompson's books. Now, don't say we didn't arm you with interesting tidbits for your next cocktail party.