Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Amber Heard

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Amber Heard.

Amber Heard is an American actress known for her roles in films such as 'All the Boys Love Mandy Lane,' 'The Ward,' 'Drive Angry,' and 'London Fields.' She began her career with a leading role in the horror film 'All the Boys Love Mandy Lane' (2006) and has since appeared in a variety of film genres.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2009: Arrest for Misdemeanor Domestic Violence

In 2009, Amber Heard was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport after allegedly hitting Tasya van Ree, though she was not charged.

2014: Celebrity Nude Photo Leak

In 2014, Amber Heard was a victim of the celebrity nude photo leak, where personal photos were stolen and released publicly.

April 2015: Breach of Australia's Biosecurity Laws

In April 2015, Amber Heard and Johnny Depp breached Australia's biosecurity laws by failing to declare their two dogs upon arrival in Queensland.

May 2015: Dogs Flown Out of Australia

In May 2015, Amber Heard and Johnny Depp's dogs were flown out of Australia hours before a euthanasia deadline due to a biosecurity breach.

December 2015: Case Adjourned

By December 2015, the case regarding Amber Heard's breach of Australia's biosecurity laws had been adjourned four times, with Heard entering not guilty pleas.

April 2016: Guilty Plea and Apology

In April 2016, Amber Heard pleaded guilty to falsifying quarantine documents, attributing it to sleep deprivation. She was placed on a one-month good behavior bond, and she and Depp released a video apologizing.

May 2016: Filed for Divorce and Restraining Order

In May 2016, Amber Heard filed for divorce from Johnny Depp and obtained a temporary restraining order, alleging verbal and physical abuse throughout their relationship, requesting $50,000 a month in spousal support.

November 2016: Defended Pledge Against Allegation

In November 2016, Amber Heard defended her pledge to donate her divorce settlement after TMZ alleged she had not yet made the donations.

2016: Divorce and Allegations of Abuse

In 2016, Amber Heard and Johnny Depp divorced. Following the divorce in 2016, both accused each other of domestic abuse, leading to defamation cases.

2016: Arrest Made Public

In 2016, Amber Heard's 2009 arrest for misdemeanor domestic violence was made public during her divorce proceedings with Johnny Depp.

April 2018: The Sun Article Labeled Depp a 'Wife Beater'

In April 2018, The Sun published an article that labeled Johnny Depp a 'wife beater', leading to a libel lawsuit.

June 2018: Depp's Libel Lawsuit Against The Sun

In June 2018, Johnny Depp filed a libel lawsuit in the United Kingdom against News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun, for labeling him a "wife beater".

September 2018: Settlement Reached and Release of 'London Fields'

In September 2018, a settlement was reached regarding 'London Fields,' and the film was finally released after being pulled due to disagreements and litigation.

December 2018: Heard's Op-Ed in The Washington Post

In December 2018, Amber Heard wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post, which led to Johnny Depp suing her for defamation in 2019.

February 2019: Depp Sued Heard for Defamation

In February 2019, Johnny Depp sued Amber Heard for defamation over a December 2018 op-ed for The Washington Post.

2019: Nomination for Golden Raspberry Award

In 2019, Amber Heard's performance in the film London Fields received a nomination for the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress.

April 2020: Waldman's statements published in the Daily Mail

In April 2020, statements made by Johnny Depp's then-lawyer, Adam Waldman, were published in the Daily Mail, which later became part of Heard's counterclaim against Depp.

July 2020: Heard was Key Witness for NGN

In July 2020, Amber Heard was a key witness for News Group Newspapers (NGN) during the highly publicized libel trial in the United Kingdom.

August 2020: Heard files counterclaim against Depp

In August 2020, Amber Heard filed a counterclaim against Johnny Depp, alleging that he coordinated a harassment campaign on Twitter and orchestrated online petitions to get her fired from Aquaman and L'Oréal.

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November 2020: Depp Lost Libel Claim

In November 2020, the presiding judge found that Johnny Depp lost his libel claim against The Sun, and that the "great majority of alleged assaults of Ms Heard by Mr Depp have been proved".

2020: Online Petition and Depp's Replacement in Films

In 2020, an online petition began to remove Amber Heard from Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom following Johnny Depp's loss in his UK libel case and his replacement in the Fantastic Beasts films.

2020: Testimony on Settlement Donation

In 2020, as part of Depp v News Group Newspapers Ltd, Amber Heard testified that the full amount of her divorce settlement was donated to charity.

January 2021: Allegations of Unfulfilled Donations

In January 2021, the Daily Mail reported an allegation by Johnny Depp's lawyers that Amber Heard had not completed her donations to charity.

March 2021: Depp's Appeal Rejected

In March 2021, Johnny Depp's appeal to overturn the verdict in his libel case against The Sun was rejected.

December 2021: ACLU Testimony on Donations

In December 2021, the ACLU's chief operating officer testified that the organization expected to receive Amber Heard's donation over a 10-year period, with $1.3 million received in her name between 2016 and 2018.

June 1, 2022: Verdict in Depp-Heard Trial

On June 1, 2022, the jury in the Depp-Heard trial found that Amber Heard defamed Johnny Depp with actual malice, awarding him $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages (later reduced to $350,000). The jury also found that one of Waldman's statements was defamatory towards Heard, awarding her $2 million in compensatory damages.

December 2022: Depp and Heard settle the case

In December 2022, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard settled their case after both filed to appeal the verdict. Heard stated that she "simply cannot go through" a retrial, while Depp's lawyers stated that the settlement would result in $1 million being paid to Depp by Heard's insurer, which Depp pledged to donate to charities.

2022: Depp v. Heard Trial and Petition Signatures

By the start of the 2022 Depp v. Heard trial in the US, the petition to remove Amber Heard from Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom had reached 2 million signatures.

2022: Testimony on Donation Fulfillment

During the 2022 Depp v. Heard trial, it was revealed that Amber Heard had donated $250,000 to CHLA as of 2021. Heard testified that she planned to resume donations when financially able, having spent over $6 million on legal fees.

2023: Critics observe scenes were cut from 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom'

Following the release of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in 2023, critics observed that a number of Amber Heard's scenes seem to have been cut from the film, as she claimed in court.