Aside from Johnny Depp's own family members, his friend, the stand-up comedian Doug Stanhope, has been one of his most visible and vocal defenders against the allegations that he physically abused his wife Amber Heard. Now it looks like Stanhope's words in support of Depp have landed him in legal trouble.
Heard is reportedly suing Stanhope for defamation in response to an article he guest wrote for the website The Wrap titled "Johnny Depp Is Being Blackmailed by Amber Heard -- Here's How I Know," in which he said:
After Heard's lawyers responded to The Wrap with a letter calling Stanhope's claims against her "unequivocally false," The Hollywood Reporter posted the entire text of Heard's lawsuit, which calls Stanhope out by name as well as other unnamed defendants. She apparently plans to donate any damages she wins in the case to charity.
The documents claim that Depp's publicity team is taking action to smear Heard's name and to bury the allegations of abuse and false information. Here's what it said about Depp's recent press run for his new film.
The lawsuit also includes more allegations against Depp, and refers to him as an alcoholic and drug addict.
It's not clear how much Heard is suing Stanhope for, though the lawsuit states that it's the maximum damages. Stanhope is known for his stand-up, including his most recent special, Beer Hall Putsch, named for Adolph Hitler's failed coup attempt, as well as his appearance on Louie, in which he played an old friend who returns to NYC to tell Louie he plans to kill himself.