Johnny Depp returned to the stand Monday, the eighth day of the already fiery court battle between himself and ex-wife Amber Heard.
Depp is suing Heard for $50 million in damages, claiming she defamed him in a 2018 op-ed for the Washington Post. Heard is countersuing for $100 million.
The Pirates of the Caribbean actor told the court, “The only person I’ve abused in my life is myself,” in response to questions about his drinking.
“Sir, if anyone had a problem with my drinking, at any time in my life, it was me,” he said.
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The audience Monday was full of young women and reportedly many Depp fans, some of whom had traveled from afar. The charming actor drew laughs from attendees at times, causing Judge Penney Azcarate to issue a warning.
“Order in the court, or I will have you removed,” she said.
At one point, Depp called Heard’s attorney Benjamin Rottenborn’s line of questioning a “pathetic attempt” after he asked the actor about several less-than-favorable articles about him.
Heard’s representation also confirmed with the star that he opted not to sue the Washington Post itself.
Asked to describe the almost immediate effect of the 2018 op-ed on his career, Depp told the jury, “Suddenly, I was guilty until proven innocent.”
Depp “didn’t quite understand” what was happening when he heard rumblings of his departure from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. According to the actor, he had built Jack Sparrow from the ground up, and parts of himself were intertwined with the character.
He recalled the ramifications manifesting within “two or three days after this op-ed appeared.”
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The turmoil his career faced following the piece was a “blinding hurt,” he said.
