Major Controversies Surrounding Johnny Depp: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Johnny Depp—discover key moments of controversy.

John Christopher Depp II, known as Johnny Depp, is an American actor and musician celebrated for his versatile and often eccentric character portrayals. He has received numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award, and has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards and British Academy Film Awards. Depp's films have collectively grossed over $10.8 billion globally, establishing him as a major figure in the entertainment industry.

Sections (5)

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

1989: Arrested for Assaulting Security Guard

In 1989, Johnny Depp was arrested in Vancouver for assaulting a security guard after the police were called to end a loud party at his hotel room.

1994: Arrested for Damaging Hotel Room

In 1994, Johnny Depp was arrested in New York City for causing significant damage to his room at The Mark Hotel, where he was staying with Kate Moss. The charges were dropped after he paid US$9,767 in damages.

1999: Arrested for Brawling with Paparazzi

In 1999, Johnny Depp was arrested for brawling with paparazzi who were trying to take his picture. He allegedly threatened them with a wooden plank outside Mirabelle restaurant in central London.

2011: Alleged Assault on Robin Eckert

In 2011, Robin Eckert, a UC Irvine medical professor, claimed to have been roughed up by Johnny Depp's bodyguards at a concert in Los Angeles, leading to a lawsuit in 2012.

2012: Lawsuit Filed by Robin Eckert

In 2012, UC Irvine medical professor Robin Eckert sued Johnny Depp and three security firms, claiming she was roughed up by Depp's bodyguards at a concert in Los Angeles in 2011 and sought damages. The case was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.

2013: Starring in The Lone Ranger

In 2013, Johnny Depp starred as Tonto in "The Lone Ranger". The film was not well received, causing Disney to take a US$190 million loss.

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April 2015: Biosecurity Law Breach in Australia

In April 2015, Johnny Depp and his then-wife Amber Heard violated Australia's biosecurity laws by failing to declare their two dogs when they arrived in Queensland. Heard pleaded guilty to falsifying quarantine documents and was placed on a $1,000 one-month good behavior bond. They also released a video apologizing for their behavior.

May 23, 2016: Amber Heard Files for Divorce and Obtains Restraining Order

On May 23, 2016, Amber Heard filed for divorce from Johnny Depp and obtained a temporary restraining order against him, alleging verbal and physical abuse.

August 2016: Settlement Reached in Depp-Heard Divorce

In August 2016, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard reached a settlement in their divorce case, with Heard dismissing the restraining order.

2016: Alice Through the Looking Glass Underperforms at the Box Office

In 2016, Johnny Depp's film Alice Through the Looking Glass underperformed at the box office, continuing a trend of less successful big-budget films for the actor. In the same year, Depp also faced negative publicity due to allegations of domestic violence and substance abuse.

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January 2017: Lawsuits Filed Against TMG and Bloom Hergott

In January 2017, Johnny Depp sued his former management company, The Management Group (TMG), for alleged embezzlement and mismanagement, and also sued his lawyers, Bloom Hergott.

January 2017: Divorce from Amber Heard Finalized

In January 2017, Johnny Depp's divorce from Amber Heard was finalized. Depp paid Heard a divorce settlement of US$7 million, which she pledged to donate to charity.

2017: Controversial Comments at Glastonbury Festival

At the Glastonbury Festival in 2017, Johnny Depp made controversial comments about President Donald Trump, which were interpreted as a reference to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. He later apologized for the remarks.

April 2018: The Sun publishes article about Johnny Depp

In April 2018, News Group Newspapers (NGN), publishers of The Sun, published an article titled "GONE POTTY How Can J K Rowling be "genuinely happy" casting wife beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film?". Depp later brought a libel lawsuit against NGN over the article.

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September 2018: Release of City of Lies Pulled

In September 2018, the release of "City of Lies", starring Johnny Depp, was pulled from the release schedule after a crew member sued Depp for assault.

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December 2018: Amber Heard publishes op-ed

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

2018: Lawsuit for Allegedly Hitting Crew Member

In 2018, Johnny Depp was sued for allegedly hitting and verbally insulting a crew member while under the influence of alcohol on the set of 'City of Lies'.

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2018: Bodyguards Sue Depp for Unpaid Wages

In 2018, two of Johnny Depp's former bodyguards sued him for unpaid wages and unsafe working conditions, claiming they were required to perform tasks beyond their capacity as bodyguards.

February 2019: Sued Amber Heard for Defamation

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

April 2020: Statements Made by Adam Waldman Published in the Daily Mail

In April 2020, Johnny Depp's then-lawyer, Adam Waldman, made statements published in the Daily Mail, which included accusations that Amber Heard and her friends used fake sexual violence allegations as a weapon, referring to it as a hoax.

July 2020: Libel Trial Against The Sun

In July 2020, the libel trial for Johnny Depp's lawsuit against News Group Newspapers (NGN), publishers of The Sun, took place, with both Depp and Amber Heard testifying.

August 2020: Heard countersued Depp

In August 2020, Amber Heard countersued Johnny Depp, alleging that he had coordinated a harassment campaign via Twitter and by orchestrating online petitions to get her fired from Aquaman and L'Oreal.

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October 2020: Depp's Lawyer Dismissed

In October 2020, the judge in the case dismissed Johnny Depp's lawyer Adam Waldman after he leaked confidential information to the media.

November 2020: Resigning from Fantastic Beasts Franchise

In November 2020, Johnny Depp resigned from his role as Grindelwald in the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise after losing his UK libel case against The Sun.

November 2020: High Court of Justice Rules Against Depp in Libel Case

In November 2020, the High Court of Justice ruled against Johnny Depp in his libel case against The Sun, finding that the characterization of Depp as a "wife beater" was "substantially true". Following the verdict, Depp resigned from the Fantastic Beasts franchise after being asked to do so by Warner Bros.

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2020: Depp's image as 'bad boy of Hollywood' according to The Guardian

According to The Guardian journalist Hadley Freeman in 2020, Depp's chain smoking, recreational drug use and drinking habits were generally documented during the 1990s.

2020: Admission of Addiction During Libel Trial

During his 2020 libel trial, Johnny Depp admitted to having been addicted to Roxicodone and to misusing alcohol, while denying addiction to other substances.

March 2021: Appeal to Overturn Verdict Rejected

In March 2021, Johnny Depp's appeal to overturn the verdict in his libel case against The Sun was rejected by the England and Wales Court of Appeal.

March 2021: City of Lies released and online petition gains traction

In March 2021, the film City of Lies, initially slated for 2018, was finally released in theaters and on streaming platforms. Also in March 2021, an online petition advocating for Depp's return to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise reached its target of 500,000 signatures.

July 2021: Director accuses MGM of burying Minamata due to Depp's involvement

In July 2021, Andrew Levitas, director of Minamata (2020), accused MGM of attempting to bury the film because of Depp's involvement. Depp claimed he was being boycotted by the Hollywood industry and described his changed reputation as an "absurdity of media mathematics."

August 2021: ACLU Must Disclose Documents Related to Charity Pledge

In August 2021, a New York judge ruled that the ACLU must disclose documents related to Amber Heard's charity pledge to the organization.

September 2021: Depp Describes Himself as Victim of Cancel Culture, Launches IN.2 Production Company

In September 2021, Johnny Depp described himself as a victim of cancel culture. Also in September 2021, Depp launched IN.2, a London-based sister company to his production company, Infinitum Nihil, and announced that IN.2 and A Contracorriente Films were starting a new development fund for TV and film projects.

May 29, 2022: Surprise appearance at Jeff Beck gig in Sheffield

On May 29, 2022, Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance at a Jeff Beck concert in Sheffield, playing guitar with Beck. Depp was awaiting the verdict in his defamation trial against Amber Heard at the time.

June 1, 2022: Depp v. Heard Trial Concludes

On June 1, 2022, the Depp v. Heard trial concluded in Fairfax County, Virginia. During the trial, both parties accused each other of domestic abuse and violence.

August 2022: Accusations of Plagiarism for "Sad Motherfuckin' Parade"

In August 2022, Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck were accused of plagiarizing lyrics from an incarcerated African American man's poem for their song "Sad Motherfuckin' Parade" from their collaborative album, 18. A lawsuit was filed by Depp and Beck, claiming the song is an original work.

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December 2022: Depp and Heard Settle Defamation Case

In December 2022, Amber Heard and Johnny Depp settled their defamation case after filing to appeal the verdict. As part of the settlement, Heard will pay Depp $1 million, which Depp is pledging to donate to charities.

2025: Depp speaks about defamation trial

In 2025, Johnny Depp spoke about the lawsuit in an interview with The Sunday Times. He stated that he "knew I'd have to semi-eviscerate myself" and "If I don't try to represent the truth it will be like I've actually committed the acts I am accused of".