As Spooky Season approaches, Tim Burton’s gothic masterpiece, Sleepy Hollow, inevitably creeps its way back into our Halloween movie lineup. We remember the foggy landscapes, the iconic Headless Horseman, and of course, Johnny Depp’s iconic portrayal of the faint-hearted constable, Ichabod Crane. But one of the film’s most memorable characters was Ichabod’s own steed: the cantankerous, one-eyed horse named Gunpowder.
What many fans don’t know is that the most heartwarming story from that spooky set has nothing to do with ghosts or ghouls. It’s about the real-life bond between Depp and Goldeneye, the Andalusian gelding who played Gunpowder.
Goldeneye was not a typical Hollywood animal actor. He was an older horse and, true to his on-screen character, he actually had only one eye. This unique look made him perfect for the role, but his age and condition meant his future was uncertain. After filming wrapped, the 18-year-old horse actor was scheduled to be euthanized…
When Johnny Depp learned of Goldeneye’s fate, he refused to let that happen. Having formed a deep connection with his equine co-star during the months of filming, Depp stepped in and adopted Goldeneye himself. He ensured that the horse who had faithfully carried Ichabod Crane through the haunted woods of Sleepy Hollow would live out the rest of his days in peace, comfort, and safety.
So, this Halloween, when you watch Ichabod Crane nervously mount his trusty horse Gunpowder, you can smile knowing that their on-screen partnership led to a real-life happy ending!