Sometimes grumpy, sometimes incoherent and poetic, Johnny Depp plays a familiar role in the libel lawsuit against his ex-wife, Amber Heard: that of the protagonist.

The three-time Oscar nominee has spent three days trying to convince the jury that Heard’s allegations of domestic abuse were false and ruined his career.

Lawyers for 36-year-old Heard responded by detailing the 58-year-old Depp’s long history of drugs and alcohol to undermine his credibility.

star Pirates of the Caribbean While questioned by Heard’s lawyers, he remained calm, although he occasionally showed anger.

“Nothing is simple in this case,” said Depp, who was urged by his ex-wife’s lawyer, Ben Rottenborn, to respond with a “simple yes or no question.”

• Amber Heard’s reaction at the full trial as she listens to an audio recording where Johnny Depp says he hates her

The actor also learned about the dynamic at play in the Virginia courtroom, where lawyers from both sides were constantly interrupted to accuse each other of rumors.

“I think those are rumors,” Depp said of one of his own comments, causing the audience, including some of the actor’s fans, to laugh. “I’m learning”.

At other times, he displayed poetic eloquence in his often lengthy responses.

When asked about allegations of domestic abuse against him, Depp compared it to “running through lava drops”.

“You’re trying to run between the drops that kill you and destroy you.”

“Beast”

Depp appeared in court at the Fairfax County Circuit Court in Virginia, near Washington, with his hair tied in a ponytail, earrings, and large rings.

She opted for three-piece suits and wore all black on Thursday: a black suit, a black vest, and a black shirt and tie.

Heard, who starred in the movie water manshe prefers predominantly black dresses and a daily change of headdress.

He patiently listened to Depp’s testimony, whispered with his lawyers, and took notes in a yellow notebook.

However, he showed his emotions when the video was released Thursday showing an enraged Depp slamming the kitchen cabinet doors.

The actress was also frankly horrified when the jury heard a tape in which she begged Depp not to cut her with a knife.

Heard’s lawyers argued that Depp had become a sexually and physically abusive “monster” while intoxicated or intoxicated, and questioned him extensively about his substance use.

“We drank together. Maybe we do a couple of cocaines together,” Depp said when asked about dating rocker Marilyn Manson.

In a text message to another friend, actor Paul Bettany, Depp talked about getting on the plane for “days without food, powders, half a bottle of whiskey, 1,000 Red Bulls and vodka, pills and two bottles of champagne”.

text messages

In the first week of the trial, the names of many celebrities emerged to fill a tabloid magazine.

Depp said he suspected actor James Franco of having an affair with Heard.

Meanwhile, Heard was jealous of a Depp tattoo that read “Winona Forever” in reference to his ex-girlfriend Winona Ryder. Depp said he deleted the last two letters and now has “Wino Forever” on the tattoo.

The actor was questioned about text messages he sent to Elton John to stay sober, and to singer Patti Smith, in which he admitted to drinking too much to others.

Domestic abuse is at the center of the lawsuit, and Depp and Heard accuse each other of using violence during their short marriage from 2015 to 2017.

Depp said he told several people that he was beaten by Heard, including director Tim Burton, one of his “most dear friends”, and Alice Cooper, a member of the band. Hollywood Vampires.

The jury also heard Depp read several people obscene text messages calling Heard “a sneaky whore”. among other adjectives.

In a message, Depp describes his former partner, singer Vanessa Paradis, who is the mother of his two children, as a “French usurper”.

In these messages, Depp admitted that he may have been overdoing it, but defended himself: “When I write a message… it’s a canvas, it’s a painting.”

Depp sued Heard over a 2018 column in which he described himself as “a public figure representing domestic abuse.”

Heard did not mention Depp in the text published in the newspaper. Washington Post but accuses him of implying that he is a harasser and seeks $50 million in damages.

Heard counter-sued, demanding $100 million and alleging that the star suffered “widespread physical violence and abuse” at the hands of him.

The trial will continue on Monday.