Will Johnny Depp’s career bounce back after defamation verdict?
- Actor Johnny Depp won more than US$10 million in a defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard
- Hollywood movie insiders speculate what the court ruling could mean for Depp’s acting career
02:52
Finding both were defamed, jury awards Johnny Depp US$15m and Amber Heard US$2m
A jubilant Depp on Wednesday said the jury “gave me my life back” as he was awarded more than US$10 million in damages for defamation, in contrast to just US$2 million for his ex-wife, who had counter-sued.
Central to the high-profile trial were testimonies from Hollywood agents, accountants and lawyers, who were asked to assess whether the former couple had derailed one another’s careers.
Jurors heard from Depp’s side that he had lost a US$22.5 million payday for a sixth Pirates film due to Heard’s claims of abuse.
But Heard’s legal team introduced witnesses who said her ex-husband’s star was already losing its lustre due to “unprofessional behaviour” which included drinking and drug use.
“The damage that’s done is done, and from this it might start a process back to some sort of normalcy,” said a Hollywood producer who has worked with Depp in the past, but asked not to be identified.