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 a highly acclaimed American actor and musician. Throughout his career, he has garnered numerous awards, including a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award, and has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards and British Academy Film Awards. Depp is recognized for portraying eccentric characters in films that have collectively grossed over $10.8 billion globally, solidifying his status as a successful and influential figure in the entertainment industry.

Sections (5)

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

1989: Arrested 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.

1994: Arrested 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 Kate Moss.

1999: Arrested for brawling with paparazzi

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

2011: Alleged Assault on Robin Eckert

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, which later led to a 2012 lawsuit against Depp and his security firms.

2012: Lawsuit Filed by Robin Eckert

In 2012, UC Irvine medical professor Robin Eckert sued Johnny Depp and his security firms, claiming she was roughed up by his bodyguards at a concert in Los Angeles in 2011 and suffered injuries. She alleged Depp did nothing to stop the attack, but Depp's attorneys claimed she provoked the alleged assault. The case was settled for an undisclosed sum before going to trial.

April 2015: Biosecurity Law Breach in Australia

In April 2015, Johnny Depp and his then-wife Amber Heard breached Australia's biosecurity laws by failing to declare their two dogs to customs when they flew to 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 filed for divorce

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

August 2016: Settlement reached in divorce case

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

January 2017: Lawsuits Against Management and Lawyers

In January 2017, Johnny Depp sued The Management Group (TMG) for alleged embezzlement and improper management of his finances, claiming to be left with over $40 million in debt. Depp also sued his lawyers, Bloom Hergott. Both lawsuits were eventually settled.

January 2017: Divorce from Amber Heard finalized

In January 2017, Johnny Depp's divorce from Amber Heard was finalized, marking the end of their marriage.

2017: Controversial Comments at Glastonbury Festival

In 2017, at the Glastonbury Festival, Johnny Depp made controversial comments about President Donald Trump, which were interpreted as a reference to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The Secret Service was aware of the comments. Depp later apologized, stating that the remark "did not come out as intended, and I intended no malice".

April 2018: The Sun published article leading to libel lawsuit

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 Johnny Depp against News Group Newspapers.

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September 2018: City of Lies release pulled from schedule

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'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 the subject of a defamation lawsuit by Johnny Depp.

2018: Settlement with The Management Group

In 2018, Johnny Depp reached a settlement with The Management Group (TMG) regarding his lawsuit against them for alleged embezzlement and financial mismanagement.

2018: Lawsuit over Alleged Assault on 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'. Depp's legal team denied that Depp hit the crew member, but stated that the crew member "provoked" the incident. A tentative settlement was reached in July 2022.

2018: Lawsuit by 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, exposed to illegal substances, and denied overtime pay. The suit was settled in 2019.

February 2019: Depp sued Heard for defamation

In February 2019, Johnny Depp sued Amber Heard for defamation over her December 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post, alleging that it contained defamatory statements.

2019: Settlement with Bloom Hergott

In 2019, Johnny Depp settled his lawsuit with his lawyers, Bloom Hergott, which was related to his financial disputes.

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

In April 2020, Johnny Depp's then-lawyer, Adam Waldman, made statements in the Daily Mail alleging a "sexual violence hoax" by Amber Heard against Depp, which became the subject of Heard's counter-suit.

July 2020: Libel trial in the UK

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

August 2020: Heard countersued Depp for defamation

In August 2020, Amber Heard countersued Johnny Depp, alleging that he had coordinated a harassment campaign against her via Twitter and online petitions.

October 2020: Adam Waldman dismissed as Depp's lawyer

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.

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November 2020: High Court ruled 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. Consequently, Depp resigned from the Fantastic Beasts franchise.

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2020: Admission of Addiction During Libel Trial

During his 2020 libel trial, Johnny Depp admitted to having been addicted to Roxicodone and to having misused alcohol, also admitting using marijuana, MDMA and cocaine, but denied any addiction to them.

March 2021: City of Lies Released and Petition Reaches Goal

In March 2021, City of Lies was released in theaters and streaming services. Also in March 2021, a petition to bring Depp back to the Pirates franchise reached 500,000 signatures.

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, the director of Minamata accused MGM of trying to bury the film due to Depp's involvement, with Depp claiming he is being boycotted by Hollywood.

August 2021: ACLU must disclose documents related to Heard's 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 and Launches IN.2

In September 2021, Depp described himself as a victim of cancel culture. The same month, he launched IN.2, a London-based sister company to Infinitum Nihil, starting a development fund for TV and film projects with A Contracorriente Films.

June 1, 2022: Depp v. Heard trial concluded

On June 1, 2022, The Depp v. Heard trial, which took place in Fairfax County, Virginia from April 11, concluded. During the trial, Heard accused Depp of domestic abuse, and Depp accused Heard of physical and verbal abuse.

July 2022: Tentative Settlement Reached in Assault Lawsuit

In July 2022, a tentative settlement was reached between Johnny Depp and a crew member who sued him in 2018 for allegedly hitting and verbally insulting him on the set of 'City of Lies'.

August 2022: Accusations of Plagiarism and Subsequent Lawsuit

In August 2022, Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck were accused of using verses from an incarcerated African American man's poem in their song "Sad Motherfuckin' Parade". Bruce Jackson requested they credit Slim Wilson and donate any profits to an organization aiding African Americans. Depp and Beck responded by suing Jackson, claiming the song was original. Jackson maintained the lyrics were stolen and criticized the lawsuit. This lawsuit is ongoing.

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December 2022: Heard and Depp settled defamation case

In December 2022, Amber Heard and Johnny Depp settled their defamation case after filing to appeal the verdict. Heard maintained that the settlement was "not an act of concession," and Depp's lawyers stated that the settlement would result in $1 million being paid to Depp, which "Depp is pledging and will donate to charities".

2025: Depp speaks about the lawsuit

In 2025, Johnny Depp told The Sunday Times that the lawsuit "had gone far enough", emphasizing the need to represent the truth for himself and his children.