In the last few years, actor Johnny Depp has been focused on high-profile defamation trials. Depp was constantly in the news and under a great deal of media scrutiny. Luckily, Johnny Depp’s friends stood by his side. Johnny Depp friends come from all around the world.
Depp took his ex-wife, Amber Heard, to court for a 2018 article she wrote for the Washington Post. In the op-ed, Heard claimed to have survived domestic abuse in her previous marriage.
Despite never mentioning Depp’s name, Heard appeared to be referring to him when discussing the alleged abuse. Depp claims the op-ed damaged his career and reputation. Therefore, he sued her to clear his name and prove his innocence. In 2022, Depp and Heard squared off in a highly publicized trial that divided fans and Hollywood. A few celebs took Heard’s side, while Depp’s friends proudly supported him.
Johnny Depp Friends: 14 People Who Have Stood By the Actor
1. Winona Ryder

Andrea Raffin/Shutterstock
Many of Johnny Depp’s ex-girlfriends came forward to support him publicly. Actress Winona Ryder and Depp dated for several years in the 90s. They even starred together in the classic movie Edward Scissorhands.
Ryder praised her ex-boyfriend and noted that Depp was never abusive towards her. Ryder even provided a written statement to the court defending Depp. She stood by Depp’s side throughout the entire trial.
2. Christi Dembrowski

SCOUT/YouTube
Johnny Depp had many friends that supported him throughout the ordeal, including several who testified on his behalf. However, nothing equals the support he got from his family.
Depp’s sister and assistant Christi Dembrowski testified for her brother’s team. She discussed their difficult childhood and addressed Depp’s history with alcohol and drugs.
3. Marilyn Manson

Denis Makarenko/Shutterstock
Marilyn Manson stood by Johnny Depp’s side throughout his divorce and trial with Amber Heard. During the trial, texts between Depp and Manson became public. In the exchange, Manson compared his current wife Lindsay Usich to Heard. That said, several women have also accused Manson of sexual violence, including his ex-wife Evan Rachel Wood.
4. Keith Richards
Tinseltown/Shutterstock
Johnny Depp and Keith Richards have been good friends for years. Richards supported Depp throughout his trial against News Group Newspapers and Amber Heard. As a matter of fact, Richards inspired Depp’s portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in The Pirates of the Caribbean. Depp recently released an art collection of his friends and heroes featuring Richards, Bob Dylan, Elizabeth Taylor, and Al Pacino.
5. Isaac Baruch

Law&Crime Network/YouTube
Isaac Baruch is Johnny Depp’s good friend and next-door neighbor. He played a significant role in the trial as he witnessed Depp and Amber Heard’s relationship firsthand. He often claimed that Heard’s bruises were fake and passionately stood by Depp’s side.
6. Kate Moss

Andrea Raffin/Shutterstock
During the trial, Amber Heard’s lawyer introduced a rumor that Johnny Depp once pushed his ex-girlfriend Kate Moss down the stairs. Moss gladly testified on behalf of Depp to clear up the confusion. Moss explained that she actually slipped and fell down the steps. She noted that Depp took care of her due to a back injury. Moss considers Depp a friend and eagerly stood by his side during the trial.
7. Javier Bardem

Andrea Raffin/Shutterstock
Johnny Depp starred alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Many of those same co-stars supported Depp publicly. For instance, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor Javier Bardem defended Depp in the media. He praised Depp every chance he got. He admitted to standing by Depp because he’s a good and caring man.
8. Penelope Cruz

Oleg Nikishin/Shutterstock
Pirates of the Caribbean star Penelope Cruz quickly came to Johnny Depp’s defense when Amber Heard made the abuse allegations. Cruz and Depp have worked together several times and became close friends. Cruz praised Depp for being so sweet and caring every time they starred in a movie together. She even filed a deposition in support of Depp.
9. Vanessa Paradis

Denis Makarenko/Shutterstock
Vanessa Paradis joined the list of Johnny Depp’s ex-girlfriends that came to his defense. Paradis provided written support for Depp during his UK libel case. She praised Depp as a “kind,” “attentive,” and “generous” person. Paradis added that she never saw him act like a violent person.
10. J.K. Rowling

s_bukley/Shutterstock
Initially, Johnny Depp portrayed Gellert Grindelwald in the Harry Potter prequel Fantastic Beasts. However, due to Amber Heard’s abuse allegations, the studio replaced Depp with Mads Mikkelsen.
Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts author J.K. Rowling supported keeping Depp in the role. She thought he was the perfect actor to portray Grindelwald. Of course, Rowling is no stranger to controversy herself with her views on the trans community, so might not be the best friend for Depp to have.
11. Eva Green

Andrea Raffin/Shutterstock
World-famous actress Eva Green and Johnny Depp are more than just co-stars. They’re good friends that have always had each other’s backs. Green publicly stood by Depp’s side during both trials. She posted two Instagram posts that defended Depp.
12. Ireland Baldwin

Tinseltown/Shutterstock
During the trial, several Hollywood stars took to social media to voice their support for Johnny Depp. For instance, Ireland Baldwin criticized Amber Heard on Instagram, claiming she was manipulative and trying to be the victim.
Baldwin later regretted her comments about Heard. Baldwin also hoped that Depp’s career would rebound.
13. Ashley Benson

magicinfoto/Shutterstock
Some celebrities publicly voiced their support for Johnny Depp. However, a few others took a different approach. After Depp’s victory, he wrote a lengthy post on Instagram. Several celebrities simply liked the post. Actress Ashely Benson took it a step further. She left a comment celebrating his victory and thanked his legal team and lawyer, Camille Vasquez.
14. Bill Burr

Ian Young Nounpusher/Shutterstock
Unsurprisingly, several comedians joked about the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard trial. Legendary comic Bill Burr didn’t hold back on his feelings. Burr admitted to being a big fan of Depp and supported him throughout the trial. Burr hopes that people don’t jump to conclusions so fast and believe lies in the future.