In 2009, Depp met Heard on the set of ‘The Rum Diary’
Depp starred as Paul Kemp, a journalist who takes a job in Puerto Rico in “The Rum Diary” — based on Hunter S. Thompson’s book of the same name. Thompson was Depp’s real-life friend and idol.
Heard played Chenault — a woman engaged to another man — whom Kemp is immediately smitten with as soon as he sees her.
Heard told Vogue in 2011: “Working with Johnny was torture. It was better than I ever imagined, which is really saying something.”
Depp and Heard were dating by early 2012
In a court filing, Heard wrote that she and Depp began dating “around the end of 2011 or the start of 2012.” It was also in 2012 that Depp and long-time partner Paradis publicly announced their separation after 14 years of dating. Depp had two children with Paradis: Lily-Rose (born in 1999) and John Christopher (2002).
Depp had previously been in relationships with Winona Ryder (from 1989 to 1993) and Kate Moss (1994 to 1998).
Heard split up with partner Tasya van Ree at the same time. USA Today reported that Heard was arrested in 2009 on a charge of physically assaulting then-girlfriend van Ree at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Washington. The two got into a disagreement after Heard allegedly grabbed and hit van Ree’s arm.
All charges were dropped, however, with van Ree herself saying that Heard was “wrongfully” accused by cops who “misinterpreted and over-sensationalized” the incident.
In 2014, Heard was spotted wearing an engagement ring
People magazine reported that Depp and Heard were engaged after a picture emerged of the actress wearing an ornate engagement ring.
Depp himself seemed to confirm the engagement in a video interview with The Daily Mail, after discussing wedding planning and pointing out that he was wearing “a chick’s ring” on his finger.
“It’s probably a dead giveaway, isn’t it? Not very subtle,” Depp said.
In 2015, Depp and Heard married in a private ceremony
After several years of dating, Depp and Heard married in a very private ceremony in their home in LA, with People reporting photos.
Later in 2015, Depp and Heard breached Australia’s biosecurity laws after they failed to declare their dogs (Yorkshire terriers) when they arrived in the country. They released an apology video together.
In 2016, Heard filed for divorce from Depp and accused him of physical abuse
On May 23, 2016, Heard filed for divorce from Depp and, four days later, obtained a temporary restraining order against the Oscar-nominated actor. She alleged that Depp had physically abused her during their relationship, and said it was usually while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
She alleged that on May 21, 2016, before filing for divorce, an incident had recently taken place in which Depp threw his phone at her, leaving her with a bruised face. However, a police spokesman told People that an investigation into the domestic incident radio call found that no crime had taken place.
Depp denied these accusations and through his representatives said Heard was “attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse.”
A $7 million settlement was reached out of court on August 16, 2016
Heard testified under oath at a deposition, but a settlement was eventually reached after she withdrew her request for a domestic violence restraining order. She also rescinded her spousal support request of $50,000 a month.
Depp and Heard also released a joint statement, saying: “Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love. Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain.”
It continued: “There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm.”
Heard received $7 million from the divorce but donated it to charity, according to People.
In 2017, the divorce was finalized
Depp and Heard’s divorce was finalized a year after Heard filed. Heard kept the dogs that were at the center of the 2015 scandal in which the couple failed to declare the animals in Australia. Meanwhile, Depp retained sole possession of all properties, including his private island in the Bahamas, as well as his collection of classic cars and motorcycles.
The Hollywood Reporter reported that a non-disparagement clause was inserted into the settlement that prevented either party from saying anything negative about the high-profile relationship and break-up.
In December 2018, Heard wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post saying she was abused
Heard wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post in which she spoke about the treatment of women in domestic abuse cases.
In the op-ed, Heard wrote: “I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our culture’s wrath for women who speak out.”
Depp himself was never mentioned by name.
In 2019, Depp sued Heard for $50 million for defamation over the Washington Post article
The suit said that Heard “is not a victim of domestic abuse, she is a perpetrator,” and denied that Depp ever abused her. Instead, the suit said that Heard’s allegations were part of an “elaborate hoax to generate positive publicity” for the actress.
Depp’s lawyers said: “The op-ed depended on the central premise that Ms. Heard was a domestic abuse victim and that Mr. Depp perpetrated domestic violence against her.”
In a court filing that attempted to dismiss Depp’s defamation suit, Heard detailed multiple instances of alleged abuse that she said occurred during their marriage and referred to him as “the Monster,” per Variety.
Heard claimed that she still had scars on her arms and feet from an incident where Depp allegedly threw her through a ping pong table and dragged her through broken glass.
In 2020, phone recordings were released in which Heard admitted to ‘hitting’ Depp
In January 2020, phone recordings obtained by the Daily Mail were released. In these recordings, Heard admitted to “hitting” Depp.
Heard is heard saying: “I’m sorry that I didn’t … hit you across the face in a proper slap, but I was hitting you, it was not punching you. Babe, you’re not punched.
“I don’t know what the motion of my actual hand was, but you’re fine, I did not hurt you, I did not punch you, I was hitting you.”
Meanwhile, Depp said in the recording: “I left last night. Honestly, I swear to you because I just couldn’t take the idea of more physicality, more physical abuse on each other.
“Because had we continued it, it would have gotten f—ing bad. And baby, I told you this once. I’m scared to death we are a f—ing crime scene right now,” Depp continued.
Heard replied: “I can’t promise you I won’t get physical again. God, I f—ing sometimes get so mad I lose it.”
On July 7, 2020, a three-week libel trial began
Depp fought News Group Newspapers, the publisher of The Sun, in court over a 2018 article in which they called him a “wife beater” in reference to Depp and Heard’s former marriage. Depp sued both the publisher and The Sun’s executive editor Dan Wootton for libel.
Ryder and Paradis both provided statements in Depp’s defense.
Ryder wrote: “The idea that he is an incredibly violent person is the farthest thing from the Johnny I knew and loved. I cannot wrap my head around these accusations.”
Meanwhile, Paradis wrote that Heard’s accusations are “nothing like the true Johnny I have known, and from my personal experience of many years, I can say he was never violent or abusive to me.”
The trial began in early July 2020, and lasted three weeks. Depp alleged that Heard defecated in his bed and punched him, which Heard denies. Depp also accused Heard of having extra-marital affairs with James Franco and Elon Musk, which Heard also denies.
Heard, meanwhile, accused Depp of physically abusing her, and has also accused him of throwing a phone at her face, which she says left her bruised. Furthermore, Hear said that Depp threatened to kill her on several occasions.
On November 2, 2020, the court ruled against Depp in the libel trial
Three months after the blockbuster trial began, Judge Mr Justice Nicol ruled that The Sun was correct in reporting that Depp was violent towards his ex-wife Amber Heard.
In reaching his ruling, Nicol referred to 14 separate incidents that The Sun’s lawyers cited to justify calling Depp a “wife-beater.”
Following the ruling, a spokesman for The Sun said: “The Sun has stood up and campaigned for the victims of domestic abuse for over 20 years. Domestic abuse victims must never be silenced and we thank the judge for his careful consideration and thank Amber Heard for her courage in giving evidence to the court.”
In a statement seen by the BBC, Heard’s lawyer in the US said: “For those of us present for the London High Court trial, this decision and judgment are not a surprise. Very soon, we will be presenting even more voluminous evidence in the US.
“We are committed to obtaining justice for Amber Heard in the US Court and defending Ms. Heard’s right to free speech.”
Johnny Depp strenuously denied all claims that he was violent towards Heard and in a statement published shortly after the ruling, his lawyers said: “This decision is as perverse as it is bewildering.
“Most troubling is the judge’s reliance on the testimony of Amber Heard, and corresponding disregard of the mountain of counter-evidence from police officers, medical practitioners, her own former assistant, other unchallenged witnesses and an array of documentary evidence which completely undermined the allegations, point by point.
“All of this was overlooked. The judgment is so flawed that it would be ridiculous for Mr. Depp not to appeal this decision. In the meantime, we hope that in contrast to this case, the ongoing libel proceedings in America are equitable, with both parties providing full disclosure rather than one side strategically cherry-picking what evidence can and cannot be relied upon.”
Depp also launched a $50m case against Heard in the US over a column she penned for the Washington Post about her experience as a victim of domestic violence. While Depp is not named in Heard’s piece, his legal team insists that it is strongly inferred that the article is about him.
Four days later on November 6, Depp announced that he had been ‘asked to resign’ from his role as Grindelwald in ‘Fantastic Beasts 3’
Depp will no longer portray the controversial dark wizard Grindelwald in the upcoming “Fantastic Beasts” film.
In a statement posted to his Instagram on November 6, 2020, four days after the conclusion of his libel case, he wrote in a typed letter: “I wish to let you know that I have been asked to resign by Warner Bros. from my role as Grindelwald in ‘Fantastic Beasts’ and I have respected and agreed to that request.”
He continued, “Finally, I wish to say this. The surreal judgment of the court in the UK will not change my fight to tell the truth and I confirm that I plan to appeal.”
“My resolve remains strong and I intend to prove that the allegations against me are false,” Depp added. “My life and career will not be defined by this moment in time.”
The third film in the “Fantastic Beasts” saga had already begun production, but in a statement published shortly after Depp’s, Warner Bros. confirmed his departure to Variety, in a statement.
“We thank Johnny for his work on the films to date,” the studio said.
After weeks of speculation, Danish actor Mads Mikkelson was officially named as Depp’s successor.
Despite being ousted from the film and only shooting one scene since filming started on September 20, 2020, in the UK, The Hollywood Reporter claims that Depp will still receive full compensation for the next installment.
Per his “pay-or-play” contract, which states that he “be fully compensated whether or not the film is made and even if it is recast,” Depp will receive an 8-figure sum for his work.
Depp was denied the right to appeal by the court’s ruling
Johnny Depp and his legal team had hoped to overturn the court’s ruling with an appeal but in a statement that was made public on November 25, 2020, Judge Nicol refused to grant Depp permission to appeal against his judgment, saying: “I do not consider that the proposed grounds of appeal have a reasonable prospect of success.”
The judge also ordered Depp to make an initial payment of £630,000 ($841,733) to News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, to cover its legal fees.
In March 2021, Depp was once again denied permission to appeal against the high court ruling by the Court of Appeals in London
Depp and his lawyers submitted an application to the Court of Appeals in London — the second-highest court in the land — to obtain permission to contest the High Court ruling that he assaulted his ex-wife Amber Heard.
However, the Court of Appeal judges denied Depp’s application saying the original hearing “was full and fair” and that the trial judge “gave thorough reasons for his conclusions which have not been shown even arguably to be vitiated by any error of approach or mistake of law.”
During the evidence given at the application hearing, Depp’s lawyers said that they had not received a fair trial and presented “fresh evidence” that alleged Amber Heard lied about donating her full $7 million divorce settlement to charity.
Depp’s lawyer Andrew Caldecott QC told the court that Heard’s claim about the donation was a “calculated and manipulative lie” that “tipped the scales against Mr. Depp from the very beginning,” The Guardian reported.
A representative for Heard said her camp was “pleased” but not surprised by the court’s denial of Depp’s application to appeal. “The evidence presented in the UK case was overwhelming and undeniable,” the rep told The Guardian.
Heard and Depp’s $100 million libel suit began on April 11, 2022
Depp and Heard’s defamation lawsuit began on April 11, 2022, at the Fairfax County courthouse in Virginia.
As Insider previously reported, Depp filed the defamation suit against Heard in response to an op-ed she wrote for the Washington Post that detailed her experience with domestic violence. Depp’s name isn’t mentioned, but the article was widely interpreted as being about him.
In January 2021, Heard countersued Depp for $100 million after her motion to move the case to California was denied.
Insider’s Zahra Tayeb previously reported that Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and actor James Franco were among the high-profile celebrities due to testify during the case. Musk and Franco were dragged into the legal dispute after Depp accused Heard of having “two extra-marital affairs” with them while she was still with him, Insider previously reported.
Page Six also reported that “WandaVision” star Paul Bettany, actor Ellen Barkin, and representatives from Disney and Warner Bros would give evidence to the court. The publication also reported that new evidence would be introduced in court, including unseen police bodycam footage from an “altercation” between Depp and Heard.
