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 is a highly successful American actor and musician, known for portraying eccentric characters. He has received numerous awards, including a Golden Globe, and has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards and British Academy Film Awards. His films have collectively grossed over $10.8 billion worldwide, solidifying his status as a major figure in the entertainment industry.

Sections (5)

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

1989: Arrest in Vancouver

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

1991: Depp comments on the Vancouver incident

In 1991, Johnny Depp commented on his 1989 arrest in Vancouver for assaulting a security guard, claiming the guard had provoked him.

1994: Arrest in New York City

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

1999: Arrest for brawling with paparazi

In 1999, Johnny Depp was arrested for brawling with paparazi who were trying to take his picture outside Mirabelle restaurant in central London.

2011: Alleged assault by Depp's bodyguards at a concert

In 2011, at a concert in Los Angeles, UC Irvine medical professor Robin Eckert was allegedly roughed up by Johnny Depp's bodyguards, resulting in injuries including a dislocated elbow. She claimed Depp did nothing to stop the attack.

2012: Lawsuit filed against Depp for alleged assault by bodyguards

In 2012, UC Irvine medical professor Robin Eckert sued Johnny Depp and three security firms, alleging that Depp's bodyguards roughed her up at a concert in Los Angeles in 2011, causing injuries. Depp settled with Eckert for an undisclosed sum before the case went to trial.

2013: Starring in The Lone Ranger

In 2013, Johnny Depp starred as Tonto in "The Lone Ranger", a film that faced accusations of whitewashing and was poorly received.

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April 2015: Breach of Australia's biosecurity laws

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 for a film shoot. 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 actions.

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, alleging verbal and physical abuse.

August 2016: Divorce settlement reached

In August 2016, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard reached a settlement in their divorce case, resolving the legal proceedings.

2016: Film roles and Funny or Die satire in 2016

In 2016, Johnny Depp appeared in "Yoga Hosers", played Donald Trump in a Funny or Die satire, reprised his role as the Mad Hatter in "Alice Through the Looking Glass", and made a cameo as Gellert Grindelwald in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them".

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January 2017: Lawsuits against The Management Group and Bloom Hergott

In January 2017, Johnny Depp sued The Management Group (TMG) for alleged embezzlement and mismanagement, also suing his lawyers, Bloom Hergott, in a related suit.

January 2017: Divorce finalized and settlement

In January 2017, the divorce between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard was finalized. Depp paid Heard a settlement of US$7 million, which she pledged to donate to the ACLU and the Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).

2017: Depp's controversial comment about President Trump at Glastonbury

At the Glastonbury Festival in 2017, Johnny Depp criticized President Donald Trump, making a controversial comment interpreted as a reference to John Wilkes Booth. He later apologized, stating the remark "did not come out as intended."

April 2018: The Sun publishes controversial article

In April 2018, 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?", leading to a libel lawsuit by Depp against News Group Newspapers (NGN).

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September 2018: City of Lies release pulled

In September 2018, the release of "City of Lies", starring Johnny Depp as Russell Poole, was pulled from the schedule after a crew member sued Depp for assault. The movie was originally slated to be released in September 2018.

December 2018: Amber Heard's op-ed in The Washington Post

In December 2018, Amber Heard published an op-ed in The Washington Post about sexual violence, which later became central to a defamation lawsuit filed by Johnny Depp.

2018: Lawsuit for alleged assault on 'City of Lies' 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".

2018: Lawsuit from former bodyguards

In 2018, two of Johnny Depp's former bodyguards sued him for unpaid wages and unsafe working conditions, alleging they were required to perform tasks beyond their capacity, work long shifts without breaks, and were not fairly compensated.

February 2019: Depp sues Heard for defamation

In February 2019, Johnny Depp sued Amber Heard for defamation over her December 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post, initiating a high-profile legal battle.

April 2020: Statements by Adam Waldman published in the Daily Mail

In April 2020, statements made by Johnny Depp's then-lawyer, Adam Waldman, were published in the Daily Mail, alleging that Amber Heard's abuse claims were a hoax. These statements became part of Heard's countersuit against Depp.

July 2020: Libel trial against The Sun

In July 2020, the libel trial between Johnny Depp and News Group Newspapers (NGN), publishers of The Sun, took place in London, with both Depp and Amber Heard providing testimony.

August 2020: Heard countersues Depp for defamation

In August 2020, Amber Heard countersued Johnny Depp, alleging that he coordinated a harassment campaign against her and attempted to get her fired from Aquaman and L'Oreal.

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October 2020: Waldman dismissed from Depp's legal team

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

November 2020: Depp Resigns 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, which had accused him of being a domestic abuser. He was subsequently replaced by Mads Mikkelsen.

November 2020: High Court rules against Depp in libel case

In November 2020, the High Court of Justice ruled that 12 of the 14 incidents of physical violence alleged by NGN occurred and that Johnny Depp had put Amber Heard "in fear of her life" in three of them. Depp resigned from the Fantastic Beasts franchise.

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2020: Depp admits to addiction during libel trial

During his 2020 libel trial, Johnny Depp admitted to having been addicted to Roxicodone and to having misused alcohol. He also admitted to using other substances such as marijuana, MDMA and cocaine but denied ever having been addicted to any of them.

March 2021: Appeal rejected in libel case

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.

July 2021: Director Accuses MGM of Burying Minamata

In July 2021, Andrew Levitas, the director of "Minamata", accused MGM of trying to bury the film due to Johnny Depp's involvement. Depp also claimed he was being boycotted by the Hollywood industry.

August 2021: ACLU must disclose documents

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

September 2021: Depp Describes Himself as Victim of Cancel Culture and Launches IN.2

In September 2021, Johnny Depp described himself as a victim of cancel culture. Also in September 2021, he launched IN.2, a London-based sister company to his production company, Infinitum Nihil, to develop TV and film projects.

June 1, 2022: End of Depp v. Heard trial

The Depp v. Heard trial, which took place in Fairfax County, Virginia, concluded on June 1, 2022. During the trial, accusations of domestic abuse were exchanged between Depp and Heard.

August 2022: Accusation of plagiarism for lyrics in "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 2022 album, 18. Bruce Jackson requested they credit Slim Wilson and donate profits to an organization aiding African Americans, leading to a lawsuit by Depp and Beck against Jackson.

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December 2022: Depp and Heard settle defamation case

In December 2022, Amber Heard and Johnny Depp settled their defamation case. Heard maintained the settlement was "not an act of concession," and Depp's lawyers stated the settlement resulted in $1 million being paid to Depp, which he pledged to donate to charities.

January 2024: Lola Glaudini recounts verbal abuse incident

In January 2024, actress Lola Glaudini recounted an incident of verbal abuse from Johnny Depp during the shooting of the movie Blow (2001), on the podcast Powerful Truth Angels.