Ex-agent says Johnny Depp’s ‘star dimmed’ due to drugs, ‘unprofessional’ antics
FAIRFAX, Va. — Johnny Depp’s former agent testified Thursday that the actor’s “star dimmed” as word spread about his “unprofessional” on-set behavior and his glorification of drug culture.
Tracey Jacobs, of United Talent Agency, recounted in a taped deposition how she helped the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star build a stellar career — only for him to squander his success through drugs and alcohol.
“It worsened over time,” she said in the recording played for the Fairfax, Virginia, jury.
After the success of the first “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie, Jacobs said, “[Depp] became the biggest star in the world.”
Amber Heard’s lawyer Elaine Bredehoft asked: “Do you take any credit for that?”
“Yes,” the agent replied.
The Hollywood power broker said she was fired in 2016 because “he terminated essentially everyone in his life and I was along for the ride, I guess.”
By the end of their time together, Jacobs testified, the actor’s “unprofessional behavior” was hurting his reputation in Hollywood.
The film industry is a “small community,” Jacobs said. “People talk.”
Eventually, she continued, Depp was “showing up late to set consistently on virtually every movie. I would get yelled at.”
Jacobs flew to Australia twice during the filming of the fifth “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie over issues with Depp’s behavior, she said.
Depp, 58, wore an earpiece and showed up late on set, his former agent testified.
“I was very honest with him and said, ‘You’ve got to stop doing this, it’s hurting you.’ And it did,” she said.
Jacobs also testified that no one at Disney had committed to hiring Depp for the sixth installment of the “Pirates” franchise in conversations with her.
“[Depp’s] star dimmed. People were talking and the question was out there about his behavior.”
As the trial’s fifth week winds down, Jacobs’ testimony cast doubt over Depp’s claims that his career was harmed by Heard’s allegations of domestic abuse.
Depp is suing his ex-wife for $50 million over a 2018 Washington Post op-ed in which she described herself as “a public figure representing domestic abuse.” He claims he was defamed by the essay, even though his name was never mentioned in it.
Heard, 36, is countersuing the actor for $100 million, claiming his lawyers defamed her by mounting a “smear campaign” against her at his direction.
Closing arguments are expected on May 27.
