Dark Shadows star Johnny Depp will receive the MTV Generation Award at the MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The actor is being given the accolade as a celebration of his contribution to cinema over the last twenty years, in films such as Edward Scissorhands, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Sleepy Hollow.

"Johnny Depp is a fearless, once-in-a-generation talent with a chameleon-like ability to inhabit any role. With years of astonishing performances, Johnny has truly earned this Generation Award, and we look forward to honoring him with a can't-miss tribute at this year's Movie Awards," stated Stephen Friedman, President of MTV.

Previous recipients of the MTV Generation Award include Reese Witherspoon, Sandra Bullock, Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Mike Myers, Tom Cruise and Jim Carrey.

The MTV Movie Awards will be hosted by comedian Russell Brand and take place at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California on Sunday. They will then be aired by the network on June 4.