I think JD has always been a favourite of older people who've seen his older movies, especially because he's always been known as the actor who picks the unconventional and dark character. I remember when it was first rumoured that he was going to be in POTC and I know a lot of people were really excited in the metal community. However, that's not always the case because I was never a massive fan of his even though I admired his work but my younger sister's fave film is Edward Scissorhands and she's only 16 but she loved it since she was like 12/13 so it really depends on the individual case. In general I think it's safe to say that he was very famous before POTC but just more known to a different target audience now then he was before.
I did. that was weird... And i saw edward Scissorhands when i was 7 and i was scarred of him 😮 then i saw Pirates and i was like OMG.... THATS THE DUDE IN EDWARD SCISSORHANDS. and i hate myself. It's ammbarassing telling people this cuz i'm like this HUGE fan and i've only known about him since last October!
I knew about Johnny before potc, but i didn't really pay much attention. . . i didn't really care about actors anyway, just the movies. I still mostly dont, but i have favorite actors (namely johnny). But i would have noticed him eventually anyway, my mom has been a really big fan. maybe it is heriditary. . .?