08 June 2024 , 08:00
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Johnny Depp was once lauded as one of the best actors of his generation and starred in hit Hollywood movies that were praised by critics.
However, in recent years he’s been faced with a series of controversies that threatened to damage his once illustrious career.
While the Edward Scissorhands star has never commented on the scandals surrounding his personal - and professional - life, Johnny has been at the centre of allegations concerning his behaviour on movie sets, as well as a highly-publicised trial involving his ex-wife Amber Heard. Here, we take a look at the controversies that have plagued the actor, who was once the toast of Hollywood, as he gets set to celebrate his 61st birthday…
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Johnny has since stepped down from his role as Captain Jack Sparrow (Disney Enterprises)Bad behaviour
Back in 2017, it was alleged Johnny had disrupted the production of his final Pirates of the Caribbean movie, Salazar’s Revenge. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the star turned up late to film his scenes, leaving his co-stars and crew members waiting “for hours”, as well as reportedly being drunk while on set.
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He was also recently accused by one of his co-stars on the 2001 movie Blow of berating her while he was filming a scene, and called her a “f---ing idiot”. Back in March, actress Lola Glaudini claimed Johnny “screamed in my face” after he became angry over her laughing while he was performing on set. “Who the f**k do you think you are? Shut the f**k up. I’m out here, and I’m trying to f**king say my lines and you’re f**king pulling focus,” Lola recalled the actor shouting. A rep for Johnny denied the claims.
The infamous trial with ex-wife Amber did nothing for his reputation (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Infamous court battle with ex-wife
In an op-ed for the Washington Post in 2018, Aquaman star Amber Heard sparked a huge legal battle with her ex-husband Johnny when she accused him of domestic abuse. She claimed she had been in an abusive relationship, and just two years earlier - when the couple parted ways - she filed for a restraining order against the actor, and was pictured with bruises on her face.
However, their marriage was put under the microscope in the highly-publicised defamation trial in 2022, after Johnny sued his ex-wife for $50 million over the allegations in the Washington Post article. The televised trial was watched by millions, and despite Johnny winning the trial, his reputation was left in tatters. The Pirates of the Caribbean star had only recently lost another huge trial in the UK, where he sued The Sun newspaper for libel after they referred to him as a wife beater, and Johnny struggled to win back affection from his adoring fanbase.
The couple were accused of dog smuggling in 2015 (Getty Images for Art of Elysium)Dog smuggling
Johnny and his then-wife Amber Heard were involved in a bizarre incident back in 2015 regarding their two pet dogs, Pistol and Boo. While the actor was filming the fifth instalment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, the couple’s pet Yorkshire terriers were allegedly smuggled into Australia, prompting authorities to investigate the Hollywood stars for breaking the country’s strict quarantine laws.
While Amber and Johnny managed to avoid a trial over the alleged dog smuggling in Australia, the Aquaman star did confess to making a false statement on her immigration card regarding the dogs. The incident was later brought up during Johnny’s libel lawsuit against The Sun, when one of his employees claimed Amber “instructed him to lie under oath” when quizzed by authorities about the dogs.
Johnny was drunk onstage at the Hollywood Film Awards (Getty)
The controversial star has faced a series of scandals throughout his career (Getty Images for The Red Sea Int)Drunk speech
Johnny sparked concern in 2014 when he took to the stage at the Hollywood Film Awards in Los Angeles appearing to be so drunk he could barely speak. The actor, who is well known for his love of booze, was on stage to present an award to Mike Myers, and immediately struggled to read the autocue, leaving audience members stunned.
“I’m not very good at this kind of thing,” he slurred, before swearing. “No-no. Watch, I’m going to read this thing.” Disorientated and appearing unsteady on his feet, Johnny continued: “What’s that say? I mean, it’s one of those nights,” as he was cut off by a montage of movie clips.
Johnny was asked to step down from the role of Grindelwald (Daily Mirror)Sacked from Fantastic Beasts
Johnny made his debut as dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them back in 2016. His casting as the iconic character caused widespread backlash from fans, who were furious following Amber Heard’s allegations of domestic violence shortly after the couple had split. He then reprised his role as the villain in 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, despite further outcry over his involvement in the franchise, prompting J.K. Rowling to step in and defend Johnny’s casting.
However, three years later, Johnny announced he had been asked to resign from the role, and the role of Grindelwald was instead handed to Mads Mikkelsen. “I wish to let you know that I have been asked to resign by Warner Bros. from my role as Grindelwald in ‘Fantastic Beasts’ and I have respected and agreed to that request,” he wrote on Instagram at the time. The move came just days after Johnny lost his libel case against The Sun newspaper, and while Warner Bros. refused to confirm if they had asked him to quit, they “wished him well” in a brief statement.