Two former romantic partners of actor Johnny Depp came to his defense Wednesday in his libel suit against British newspaper The Sun, dismissing claims that he was violent or abusive.
![This combination photo shows French model-actress and singer Vanessa Paradis, left, and actress Winona Ryder, two former romantic partners of actor Johnny Depp who have defended him as part of his libel suit against British newspaper The Sun. Paradis and Ryder offered statements saying the “Pirates of the Caribbean’’ star never was violent or abusive toward them. Depp is suing the tabloid’s publisher over an April 2018 article which referred to the 56-year-old as a “wife-beater.” (AP Photo)]({"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"56","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1426lF.img?h=563&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1529&y=759"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"44","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1426lF.img?h=440&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1529&y=759"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"44","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB1426lF.img?h=440&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1529&y=759"}})
Actresses Vanessa Paradis and Winona Ryder offered supportive statements for the star, who is suing the tabloid paper’s publisher, News Group Newspapers, over an April 2018 article which referred to Depp as a “wife-beater.”
The article contained allegations by Depp’s ex-wife, Amber Heard, who filed for divorce after requesting a domestic violence restraining order. Depp has strenuously denied the allegations.
In a hearing conducted remotely, lawyers for Depp argued that statements from Ryder and Paradis should be included as evidence in the actor’s case against the publisher.
“We’ve been partners for 14 years and we raised our two children together,’’ Paradis said, court documents show. “Through all these years, I’ve known Johnny to be a kind, attentive, generous, and non-violent person and father.”
