Johnny Depp

The actor describes his childhood of physical abuse as he takes the stand in a Virginia court.

And generally it was me," he said. On Monday, a nurse who was hired to treat Mr Depp's drug addiction and attended the couple's wedding testified that she witnessed Ms Heard "try to instigate" conflict with her former husband on several occasions. The jury has heard evidence presented by the celebrity ex-couple's former therapist, who described how Mr Depp and Ms Heard engaged in "mutual abuse", as well as from medical workers who treated Mr Depp as he was detoxing himself from opiates. Mr Depp began his testimony saying that Ms Heard's claims are "not based in any species of the truth". The trial has focused so far on Mr Depp's demeanour and whether he was ever verbally or physically abusive towards Ms Heard. Lawyers for Mr Depp have accused his ex-wife, an actress, of giving the "performance of her life" in her descriptions of alleged abuse. "I never struck Ms Heard in that way, nor have I struck any woman in my life," he testified, adding that "her accusations sort of permeated the industry".

Johnny Depp began his testimony by admitting he and Amber Heard argued during their relationship but said he "never" reached the point of hitting her - and ...

Fairfax County state court judge Penney Azcarate is overseeing the trial, which is in its second week and is expected to last for six weeks in total, with a week's break in May. Witnesses called by Depp's lawyers so far have included the actor's sister, friends, and a doctor and a nurse who said they treated him for substance abuse. "It does mean you have to think creatively when you have little kids on how to take them to the park or the swings. an easy target for [Heard]". He continued: "I am not some maniac who needs to be high or loaded all the time." "It never had to go in this direction," he said. The column did not mention Depp by name, but was titled: "I spoke up against sexual violence - and faced our culture's wrath." Endless." would think that I was a fraud and had lied to them". "I've had worse jobs... "I didn't deserve that. I pride myself on honesty and truth. "I felt it was my responsibility to clear my name and my children of this horrid thing that they were having to read about their father," he said.

The actor said his 'substance abuse' had been 'grossly embellished' by Amber Heard and that many of her allegations were 'plainly false'.

“I pride myself on honesty… on truth. At the start of his evidence the actor said he was “obsessed with truth” and that he “did not deserve” to have the “heinous and disturbing” allegations levelled at him. The actor said had initially thought his relationship with Ms Heard had been “too good to be true” but had noticed things that “might be a bit of a dilemma at some point”. Mr Depp also admitted that he was “ashamed and embarrassed” by text messages he had sent previously, which contained abuse directed at Ms Heard, saying that in the “heat of the moment” he had gone to “dark places”. The actor said his “substance abuse” had been “grossly embellished” by Amber Heard and that many of her allegations were “plainly false.”

The actor told a Virginia courtroom that his former wife Amber Heard was bringing 'heinous and disturbing' allegations against him.

I said ‘goodbye pop’ and that was it until I learned the truth.” which was to do the opposite of what they did,” he said. “It never had to go in this direction,” he said. “It was a complete shock… “I pride myself on honesty… on truth.

Johnny Depp is suing ex wife Amber Heard over a 2018 op-ed she wrote for the Washington Post. On Wednesday, Depp finally took the stand.

The first day of Depp’s testimony concluded with him looking back at his relationship with Heard. He said the relationship began when they filmed a shower scene for The Rum Diary. “I think there was something with the kiss in the shower that was very real,” Depp said. Wyatt was asked to describe interactions between Depp and Heard. He recalled being on a flight with them to Boston in 2014 and said that Heard “was giving Johnny the cold shoulder, being quiet, and seemed pouty.” “The op-ed’s clear implication that Mr Depp is a domestic abuser is categorically and demonstrably false,” his civil claim maintains. Wyatt described Depp glowingly, saying he was “great to work with on films” and “always comes prepared,” making for a “fun” day. He recalled the alleged water-bottle incident and remarked: “In California, it’s assault if you attempt to swing or throw something at somebody, even if you don’t hit them.” “At one point, I went up to her and said something to the effect of ‘He cares about you,’ and all of a sudden she snapped and said, ‘How dare you talk to me? All of a sudden it got very loud.” When asked if he had ever seen any violent or physical altercation between Depp and Heard, he responded: “I’ve never seen Johnny be violent toward anybody.” Heard’s attorney tried to ask Wyatt about Marilyn Manson, who is also an alleged abuser and suing his ex Evan Rachel Wood for defamation over her allegations against him detailed in her documentary, Phoenix Rising. They had previously brought up Manson during opening statements, describing him as Depp’s “good friend.” Depp said that he became addicted to the opioid Roxycodone after suffering an injury while filming the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean, and detoxed during his relationship with Heard. Get away from me!’” Wyatt said he “went back to my seat and minded my own business.” Heard, he said, “was abruptly loud. He was filling out job applications in “video stores, clothing stores, anything … just to be able to pay the rent.” Depp said that his friend, actor Nicolas Cage, told him, “I want you to meet my agent.” Cage told Depp he thought he could act. Depp said that he first abused drugs at 11, when he took one of his mother’s “nerve pills.” Depp claimed he didn’t take drugs for enjoyment. I was a musician, but the fact that these people were going to pay me what I found to be a ludicrous sum of money … I had never seen that kind of dough in my life.”

A week into the trial in Fairfax County, Virginia, Depp, 58, is the first half of the divorced couple to take the stand and testify against his former spouse.

“She’s going to give the performance of a lifetime in this courtroom.” Amber wishes the best for Johnny in the future." But he said the evidence will show that Heard gave herself the injury to ruin Depp’s reputation. "Because Johnny Depp brought this case, all of this is going to come out." "I didn't deserve that nor did my children nor did the people who have believed in me for all those years." He also pointed out that the article in question never even mentions Depp's name. In the column, she claimed to be a victim of domestic abuse. She was understanding. It’s very strange when one day you’re Cinderella, so to speak, and then in 0.6 seconds you’re Quasimodo." She was funny. She was kind. She was smart.

Actor Johnny Depp took the stand Tuesday in his libel lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard, saying her domestic abuse allegations against him were ...

In the article, Heard referred to herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse.” Heard’s lawyers, who have filed their own countersuit against Depp, say nothing in the article libels him. Meanwhile, jurors have seen text messages in which Depp uses vulgar language to describe Heard and spells out his desire to get revenge against her. So far, Depp’s friends, family and employees have testified that Heard was the aggressor in the relationship, physically attacking him on multiple occasions. When he became a father, Depp said, he made sure his children didn’t experience that kind of upbringing. It’s very strange when one day you’re Cinderella, so to speak, and then in 0.6 seconds you’re Quasimodo.”

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's defamation trial has exposed the darker and parasitic side of movie stardom.

In one message to Baruch, Depp lamented that “that c— ruined such a f—ing cool life we had for a while.” In its early days, the trial has felt like sifting through the wreckage of a royal court after its ruler has been deposed. For her part, Heard framed her 2018 op-ed as a lesson in power. But after Depp lost a similar case in London in 2020, his public reputation — and career — are in tatters. The goal was to explain Depp’s instinct to hide from conflict. Depp is suing his ex-wife, Amber Heard, for $50 million for describing herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse” in a 2018 Washington Post opinion piece.

Actor takes stand in defamation trial and denies ex-wife's domestic abuse claims, saying 'I have never struck any woman in my life'

“She slapped him because he was being incoherent and talking about being with another woman.” Wyatt testified that he accompanied Depp, his former wife Vanessa Paradis and children to their home in the Bahamas on several occasions. “I was bitten by the snake, and before you know it the monkey was on my back,” he said. You’re a whore.” Depp filed a $50m lawsuit against Heard in 2018. Heard has said Depp probably cut his finger when he smashed a telephone. “It would stir up some rather unusual reactions from her,” he said. Several witnesses have characterised Heard as the abusive party. The actor has accused Heard of throwing a bottle at him, severing the finger. From the beginning of our relationship, she was wonderful, and then things just started to change … or reveal themselves, I think is a better way to put it.” But he had periods of sobriety, he said. Nor have I ever struck any woman in my life.”

Actor Johnny Depp testifies during his defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard in the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on April ...

"At this time, I recognize the ongoing support I've been fortunate to receive throughout these years, and in these coming weeks I will be leaning on it more than ever." Heard posted a note in advance of the current defamation trial on her verified social media accounts, writing "I never named [Depp], rather I wrote about the price women pay for speaking against men in power. He said, however, "I believed in the character wholeheartedly." in the UK against News Group Newspapers and Dan Wootton, executive editor of The Sun, over an article that claimed Depp was violent toward Heard while they were together. "One day you're Cinderella so to speak and then in zero point six seconds you're Quasimodo," Depp said of how his career turned after he was accused of abuse. He also alleged that his first experience with taking controlled substances occurred when he was roughly 11 years old and would take his mother's prescription pills "to escape the chaotic nature of what we were living through."

Actor Johnny Depp took the witness stand Tuesday in his legal battle against his former wife Amber Heard, whom he accuses of lying about his abusing her ...

Heard was granted a protective order in May 2016 after she alleged that Depp hit her in the face with a cellphone. Anderson said Depp told her that Heard “gave as good as she got.” He said he detoxed from the drug prior to his relationship with Heard. During cross-examination, Anderson clarified that her understanding was that Heard “fought back” after Depp became physical. Depp addressed Heard's allegations regarding substance abuse, saying he began taking his mother's "nerve pills" at the age of 11 and proceeded to self-medicate with substances over the years as a coping mechanism for trauma. Little time was spent on his relationship with Heard, who he felt was the perfect partner for him at the beginning of their relationship. "Because I've never appeared loaded or high or any of that ... no one would have ever known." "Then you started to notice other little tidbits and things that come out," Depp said. Anderson also testified that Heard, in a session conducted separately from her husband, said Depp hit her and that she showed her bruises. Although the article never mentions Depp by name, his attorneys said it indirectly refers to allegations she made against him during their 2016 divorce. The trial in Fairfax County, Virginia, is expected to take weeks. Depp told the court Tuesday that he was "obsessed with the truth" and, though he argued with his ex-wife, he never hit Heard.

Mr. Depp sued his ex-wife Amber Heard for an op-ed she wrote saying she was a “public figure representing domestic abuse.” Ms. Heard maintains that he ...

During their opening arguments last week, Ms. Heard’s lawyers told the jury that they would be presenting evidence of “graphic and horrifying” abuse against Ms. Heard, including instances of sexual assault, which Mr. Depp denies. On Tuesday, Mr. Depp provided an account not unlike the one he gave in London two years ago in an earlier defamation case he brought against The Sun newspaper for calling him a “wife beater” in a headline. In court papers, Mr. Depp has alleged that Ms. Heard physically abused him throughout their relationship, including by throwing objects at him. Mr. Depp’s lawsuit claimed that Ms. Heard’s op-ed “devastated” his once flourishing acting career. She has said Mr. Depp hurt his finger while smashing a phone against a wall repeatedly. We use cookies and similar methods to recognize visitors and remember their preferences. In it, she said her career had been harmed after she became a “public figure representing domestic abuse.” We also use them to measure ad campaign effectiveness, target ads and analyze site traffic. “And I didn’t deserve that.” One of her lawyers, Ben Rottenborn, questioned whether Mr. Depp’s accounts of events were credible if he was “blacked out” on drugs and alcohol, and he argued that Mr. Depp was responsible for the decline of his career, not Ms. Heard. In that trial, a judge found that there was “overwhelming evidence” that he had assaulted Ms. Heard repeatedly during their marriage and that he had put her “in fear of her life.” Mr. Depp sued his ex-wife Amber Heard for an op-ed she wrote saying she was a “public figure representing domestic abuse.” Ms. Heard maintains that he abused her repeatedly.

The proceedings are taking place in Virginia's Fairfax County Courthouse. The news of Depp's testimony was first reported by Deadline's Dominic Patten and Ted ...

The trial is set to run for five weeks. It is also being run by other outlets. Depp will continue on the stand Wednesday for cross-examination, a source close to the actor’s team tells Deadline. Heard is scheduled to take the stand herself later in the proceedings.

ActorJohnny Depp testified Tuesday in a Fairfax County, Virginia courtroom in his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard. Depp has sued Heard for $50 ...

But a judge ruled that Depp was within his rights to bring the case in Virginia because The Washington Post’s computer servers for its online edition are located in the county. Click here to see the full defendant's and plaintiff's witness list. Follow Caroline Patrickis on Twitter for the latest. "Heard was giving Johnny the cold shoulder, she seemed pouty," he recalled. Day 6 of the trial began with Depp's security guard, Sean Bett's testimony. Depp’s lawyer, Benjamin Chew, questioned Wyatt on Depp's drinking and his character.

Actor Johnny Depp is expected to return to the witness stand on Wednesday in a $50 million defamation case he said he brought to expose the truth about his ...

Depp’s lawyers have said they filed the case in Fairfax County, outside the District of Columbia, because the Washington Post is printed at a facility there. A London High Court judge ruled he had repeatedly assaulted Heard and put her in fear for her life. He filed a $50 million lawsuit against Heard in 2018. He wanted to correct the record about his behavior for himself and his children. "Truth is the only thing I’m interested in,” he added. In three hours of testimony in a Virginia courtroom on Tuesday, Depp said he and Heard argued, but he never struck her.

Depp is suing his ex-wife, Amber Heard, for $50 million in a libel case, after she wrote an op-ed in The Washington Post talking about her experience as a ...

You may click on “Your Choices” below to learn about and use cookie management tools to limit use of cookies when you visit NPR’s sites. If you click “Agree and Continue” below, you acknowledge that your cookie choices in those tools will be respected and that you otherwise agree to the use of cookies on NPR’s sites. NPR’s sites use cookies, similar tracking and storage technologies, and information about the device you use to access our sites (together, “cookies”) to enhance your viewing, listening and user experience, personalize content, personalize messages from NPR’s sponsors, provide social media features, and analyze NPR’s traffic.

Get the latest updates in Johnny Depp's defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard with the New York Post's live coverage.

“I am ashamed of some of the references made,” Depp told the jury. “I didn’t deserve that and neither did my children.” “He is a good man,” Depp said of his dad. “My father is not an abusive man,” Depp continued. “You could hear the raw emotions in his voice and I was tearing up in there a little bit.” Depp, 58, talked about needing to wear an eye patch as a child due to a vision problem. At one point he even admitted: “I forgot what the original question was.” “My goal is the truth, my goal is the truth,” he told the jury. Depp’s mother, Betty Sue Palmer, died in 2016. Heard filed for divorce in May 2016. Depp was still being questioned by his own lawyers when Judge Penney Azcarate dismissed the jury for the evening. Look how far you accomplished and set yourself apart from your mother.’”

Johnny Depp has told a US court that over time his marriage to Amber Heard had begun to feel like he was "in a relationship" with his mother.

"It breaks you down, the constant haranguing breaks you down," he told the court. Mr Depp also said that he was "more inspired" to use drugs and alcohol due to Ms Heard's behaviour and their "constant clashes". Johnny Depp has told a US court that over time his marriage to Amber Heard had begun to feel like he was "in a relationship" with his mother.

Actor Johnny Depp has resumed his testimony in a Fairfax, Virginia court in his defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard.

She did not name Depp in the piece, but he claims it cost him lucrative film work. Depp, known for his work in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, is suing Heard for $50 million over a 2018 Washington Post op-ed in which she wrote about her experience with domestic abuse. In his roughly three-hour testimony on Tuesday, the Oscar-nominated star spoke in detail about Heard's allegations of domestic abuse, his history with substance abuse and his experiences growing up with an abusive mother.