Not Because Of Amber Heard, Former Agent Calls Johnny Depp's Reputation Down Because Of Unprofessionalism

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard (Reuters via ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Johnny Depp filed a defamation lawsuit to claim compensation from Amber Heard in the amount of 50 million USD. The Pirates of the Caribbean star said his ex-wife tarnished his name when claiming she was a victim of domestic violence in an article she wrote in The Washington Post.

Heard retaliated against $100 million, saying Depp tarnished his name for calling him a liar. Tracey Jacos, a former agent for Depp, said the actor became the world's biggest star in three decades while working with him in Hollywood.

But the Pirates of the Caribbean's reputation faded after 2010 due to its "unprofessional attitude", Jacobs was quoted as saying by AFP on Friday, May 20.

Johnny Depp's career and finances were in big trouble before Amber Heard accused him of domestic violence in 2016. The agent from the United Talent Agency gave a video statement at his 19th day of trial in the defamation case that Depp brought against his ex-wife.

Depp, during the four-day trial in which he testified, denied ever hitting Heard and claimed that Heard was the one who often abused him.

Depp's lawyer said the domestic violence allegations damaged Depp's reputation, but his former agent said the star had started to fade before the allegations were launched.

He said Depp's unprofessional attitude included consuming alcohol and drugs and being late for the set of each film.

"Crews don't like to wait long hours for movie stars to come. This is a small community and people are reluctant to work with them," said ANTARA, Friday, May 20.

Jacobs said Depp was in bad financial shape in January 2016 when he came to the office and asked for $20 million.

"The question was not asked as a loan," he said.

Jacobs said his partner told Depp the company was "not a bank" but they helped him get a loan through Bank of America.

Depp's former business manager, Josh Mandel, was also asked about the actor's financial condition.

Mandel said he was very worried about Depp's financial situation in 2015. There was talk of reducing spending, but that never materialized. Mandel said there was a problem with alcohol and drugs that created erratic attitudes.

At one point, Depp was spending $300.000 a month on staff and $100.000 a month on the doctors and nurses he hired to make sure he didn't get drunk.

Mandel estimates Depp made $600 million over the decades they worked together.

Mandel was fired by Depp in 2016 and sued by the actor. They settled the case in 2018.

Jacobs was also fired by Depp in 2016. When asked why Depp fired him, Jacobs said, "I don't know. All I know is he let go of everyone in his life."

Depp's lawyers brought experts to trial who testified that Depp lost millions of dollars on allegations of violence, including a $22.5 million fee for the sixth "Pirates" film.

Depp, a three-time Oscar nominee, and Heard met in 2009 on the set of "The Rum Diary" and they married in February 2015. Their divorce was formalized two years later.