Johnny Depp Donating Defamation Trial Reward To Charity
Johnny Depp is donating $1 million from his defamation case settlement to multiple charities.
Johnny Depp will be donating $1 million of his defamation case settlement to five different charities, with $200,000 going to each. These non-profit organizations include the Make-A-Film Foundation, The Painted Turtle, Red Feather, Tetiaroa Society, and Amazonia Fund Alliance. The actor received the money from his ex-wife Amber Heard a year after their very public defamation trial.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Amazonia Fund Alliance is a group of non-profits and companies committed to safeguarding and upholding the well-being of Indigenous communities in the Amazon region. The Red Feather dedicates its efforts to creating and executing housing initiatives for Indigenous communities in America.
Make-A-Film Foundation collaborates with prominent Hollywood figures to fulfill the dreams of children with severe or life-threatening medical conditions. This non-profit has previously collaborated with Johnny Depp on a short film project. The Painted Turtle, a summer camp near Lake Elizabeth in California and co-founded by Paul Newman, offers free experiences for children grappling with life-threatening and chronic illnesses.
The Tetiaroa Society focuses on preserving the natural and cultural heritage of an idyllic atoll near Tahiti, which was leased by the late Marlon Brando. The donation is part of a larger settlement between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, which awarded the actor $10 million and his ex-wife $2 million.
Speaking about the ordeal on behalf of Johnny Depp, his attorneys Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez said, “We are pleased to formally close the door on this painful chapter for Mr. Depp, who made clear throughout this process that his priority was about bringing the truth to light.” While Heard could not be reached for comment, she previously made a statement on social media.
Heard explained that her decision to settle was purely to avoid another “arduous and expensive legal process” in which she could not protect her right to free speech. She also said she had exhausted “almost all my resources in advance of and during a trial.” Expressing her disillusionment with the American legal system, Heard said she could not risk another impossible emotional and financial bill.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard married in 2015 and divorced 15 months later. In 2018, Amber Heard penned an op-ed for The Washington Post, detailing her personal experiences with sexual assault and harassment in her personal life and professional career. She also highlighted what she perceived as a culture in Hollywood that protects those who commit abusive acts against women.
In March 2019, Johnny Depp filed a defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard, seeking $50 million in damages based on the op-ed. The lawsuit claimed that while Depp was not explicitly mentioned, it was evident that Heard was referring to him. In May 2022, a jury ruled in favor of Depp on three of his claims and against him on one claim, resulting in a monetary award of over $10 million.
Amber Heard was awarded $2 million for statements made by Johnny Depp’s lawyer. Both parties appealed the verdict but eventually reached a settlement agreement on December 19, 2022. Johnny Depp was last spotted during the opening day of the Cannes Film Festival.
Amber Heard, who currently resides in Spain with her daughter, is scheduled to attend the 69th Taormina Film Festival in Italy on June 24, where she will attend the world premiere of her film, In the Fire.
