HIGHLIGHTS
Johnny Depp was called a “jerk” by Conan O’Brien on his show and Olivia Munn shared an uncomfortable experience with Depp on set.
The host seemed skeptical of Munn’s claims and made sarcastic comments about the situation.
Depp’s reputation was already questioned before Amber Heard’s abuse allegations, and Mortdecai was considered a low point in his career.
After Johnny Depp is currently getting out of his canceled status following his scandalous defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard. Since the latter’s first allegations, the actor has been widely supported by fans and celebrities alike. Even his ex-girlfriend, Kate Moss testified that he’d never kicked her down the stairs.
But years before their legal dispute, Conan O’Brien called the Pirates of the Caribbean star a “jerk” on TBS’ Conan. At that time, Olivia Munn came on CONAN to promote her new film with Depp, Mortdecai (2015). The Newsroom alum said Depp “strangely grabbed” her chest behind the scenes.
Conan O’Brien Called Johnny Depp A Jerk When Olivia Munn Said The Actor “Strangely Touched Her Boob”
In January 2015, Munn told O’Brien about having “fun” working with Depp on Mortdecai. But the host didn’t seem convinced. When asked if he “likes” the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory alum, O’Brien said: “I met Johnny before, yes. Yes, [I like him].”
“I mean what are you gonna do, say no? ‘I don’t know, seemed like a d*ck to me,'” he added, before saying he’s “not really a Depp guy” and that “he seems like a very nice guy… but still, a d*ck.”
Munn went on to share that the actor kept his hand on her chest while filming a “racy dance scene.” She said, “At the end of everything he’s got to touch my breasts every time and just like hold his hand there.” O’Brien cut her off, asking, “Wait a minute what was that all about?” The X-Men star said “it was in the script.” But the host was skeptical.
“Are you sure it was? Or was it in pencil and it looked a lot like his handwriting?” he quipped. Munn joked that it was written in crayon. O’Brien asked again if it was all just “work” and if Munn really felt comfortable with it. “It always feels odd,” she replied. “Maybe for him [Depp] it was work over and over, but for me, you’re there and everyone’s looking you.”
Munn clarified: “And then he’s just got his hand on your breast, and it’s strange. I just want my boyfriend, that’s it… And some other guy’s doing it. You kind of have to get used to it in your head over and over… but in a fun way.”
O’Brien didn’t seem to think the anecdote was that funny. Before showing a clip of the said scene, he sarcastically told her, “It was a really horrifying time for you.” Commenting on the host’s thoughts on Depp, someone wrote: “I actually think that Conan doesn’t like Johnny Depp because it seems as if Johnny Depp refuses to be a guest on the show.”
Another one suggested that “Conan must’ve believed the lies of Johnny’s relationship with Amber at that time.” Others thought people shouldn’t idolize Depp, even before Heard’s disturbing accusations against him. “It’s kind of sad, but no matter what anyone says. People will always love him,” one wrote back then.
Mortdecai only grossed $47.3 million at the box office against a production budget of $60 million.
Olivia Munn’s Johnny Depp “Boob Grab” Encounter Came Before Amber Heard’s Abuse Claims
Heard publicly accused Depp of domestic violence in May 2016, making Mortdecai one of his last films before he was canceled. Munn never spoke about Depp at that time. In August that year, the ex-couple reached an out-of-court divorce settlement.
The Aquaman actress then withdrew her restraining order after Depp’s lawyer stated that she was “attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse.” Following the settlement, the pair issued a joint statement, saying:
“There was never an intent of physical or emotional harm (so Depp wasn’t abusive)… Neither party has made false accusations for financial gains (so Heard wasn’t lying for a better financial settlement),” per Vox.
In 2019, the documentary, Untouchable featuring interviews with Harvey Weinstein’s accusers came out. In March that year, Depp sued Heard for defamation following her op-ed in December 2018.
This came after the actor filed a libel suit against The Sun UK for referring to him as “wife beater” in an article. He lost the case, forcing execs to ask him to resign from the Fantastic Beasts franchise – ultimately leading to his cancelation in Hollywood.
Here’s a full timeline of Depp and Heard’s relationship:
2009
Depp and Heard met on the set of The Rum Diary
2012
The pair started dating; Depp announced his separation from longtime partner, Vanessa Paradis, the mother of Lily Rose-Depp
2014
Heard was seen wearing an engagement ring in public
2015
They tied the knot in an intimate ceremony
Heard filed for divorce from Depp and accused him of domestic abuse
August 2016
Heard received a $7 million divorce settlement from Depp
2017
The divorce was finalized
2018
Heard wrote her Washington Post op-ed alleging Depp of abuse
2019
Depp sued Heard for defamation over the op-ed
January 2020
Phone records of Heard admitting to “hitting” Depp came out
July 2020
The start of Depp’s three-week libel trial with The Sun UK
August 2020
Heard countersued Depp for $100 million
November 2020
The High Court in London ruled against Depp; Days later, he announced that he was asked to resign from Fantastic Beasts 3
August 2021
Heard’s plea to dismiss Depp’s defamation suit against her was denied
April 2022
Depp’s final $10 million defamation trial against Heard began at the Fairfax County courthouse in Virginia
June 2022
Depp won the case; Heard accused the jury of being influenced by social media
Olivia Munn Defended Johnny Depp When A Journalist Called Him A “Weirdo” At Work
In January 2015, Munn also did an interview with Star Sessions where the host asked if Depp and their Mortdecai co-star, Jeff Goldblum were “complete weirdos” to work with. The Predator star defended both actors.
“People ask me that question a lot. And I would love people to ask them like, ‘Hey you’re weirdos,'” she explained. “But because they’re not weird. I think that it’s because they’re both so famous like they’ve been famous for so long.”
Munn also told WWD that “Johnny is really funny and really sweet and he has a really calm demeanor. He comes in just like a light [coming on]. He makes everybody feel good. You can tell a lot about somebody from how they treat people.”