Johnny Depps Father Abandoning Their Family during His Childhood Left the Actor Disappointed

Critically acclaimed actor Johnny Depp was fighting for his honor earlier this year during his defamation court case against his ex-wife Amber Heard. Depp shared a deeply personal testimony about his tumultuous childhood, revealing that his father's absence significantly affected him and his family dynamic.

Johnny Depp's father, John Christopher Depp, raised his son alongside his wife, Betty Sue Palmer. Eventually, John Christopher and his wife divorced, leaving his family and telling his son that "he was the man now."

Johnny didn't take kindly to those words as the actor, who was 15 years old at the time, felt he "wasn't ready to hear them" nor take on such a demanding responsibility. The "Pirates of the Caribbean" alum was aggrieved by his father's actions and described them as cowardly in his testimony.

Johnny Depp's father, John Christopher Depp, pictured as his son is honored with a Hand and Footprint Ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre | Source: Getty Images

Johnny Depp Spent His Early Childhood with His Father

Actor Johnny Depp's father, John Christopher Depp, met his ex-wife, Betty Sue Palmer, in Kentucky when she already had two children from a previous marriage. Johnny's half-siblings are Daniel, born November 1953, and Debbie, born May 1956. Debbie is reportedly an elementary teacher based in Lexington, Kentucky.

Daniel is a writer and producer who owns a bookstore in California. When the divorcees met, John Christopher worked as a civil engineer, and Betty Sue worked as a waitress. They had their first child together, Elisa Christine, in 1960.

On June 9, 1963, John Christopher and his ex-wife welcomed their son, whom they named John Christopher Depp II, the man now famously known as Johnny Depp. All the couple's children took John Christopher's last name, and they eventually moved from Kentucky to South Florida.

Johnny Depp, his mother Betty Sue Palmer, father John Depp and ex-girlfriend Vanessa Paradis are pictured at the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony to honor Johnny Depp on November 16, 1999, in Hollywood | Source: Getty Images

According to Meaw, Johnny Depp spoke of how frequently his family moved during an interview with long-time host Oprah Winfrey. The actor estimated that they changed homes approximately "40 times," and his mother enjoyed the thrill of moving around so much.

The star of "Edward Scissorhands" even recalled a time when the Depp family moved from one home to the house next door. During his testimony, Johnny delved deeper into his family dynamic, where corporal punishment was the norm for the actor if he had displeased his parents.

Johnny, who is also a musician, disclosed that his father was the one who would deliver the punishment. The "Sleepy Hollow" star recalled a time when his mother had accused him of yet another wrongdoing, but he wasn't guilty this time. Even after insisting that he hadn't done anything wrong, John Christopher still punished him.

Eventually, John Christopher discovered his son was innocent of his ex-wife's accusation. Following that revelation, he asked for Johnny's forgiveness, which the actor noted was something his mother was incapable of doing. He attributed that inability to her upbringing and concluded that he had no power to change that about her.

Johnny Depp Was 15 When His Father Left the Family

When Johnny Depp was 12 years old, he got his first guitar and began learning how to play. Around that time, the actor recalled how his parents were constantly at each other's throats, and he would lock himself in his room and found solace in playing his instrument until he felt tired and fell asleep.

Moreover, Johnny also stated that he had no contact with the outside world. One morning, when the musician was 15, John Christopher got up and got ready for work, as was his daily routine. Johnny recounted the day's events, watching his father pack his things into his car.

Yet it never occurred to the actor that John Christopher was actually packing his belongings. Later that afternoon, his mother, Betty Sue Palmer, returned, and it immediately dawned on her that her ex-husband had left.

Johnny was still inching closer to that realization even after seeing that his father had cleaned out his bedroom side, leaving only Betty Sue's belongings. The "Al Pacino" actor took his mother's car and drove to John Christopher's workplace to confront him.

Johnny Depp and mother Betty Sue Palmer are photographed at the The Academy in Beverly Hills | Source: Getty Images

At this point, Johnny was still in denial as he recalled joking with his dad about his belongings. Per Law and Crime, he said:

"Listen, seems as though somebody stole all your clothes out of the closet."

His father responded that he "couldn't do it anymore," and he was done, confirming that he was indeed abandoning his family. Moreover, John Christopher handed Johnny the responsibility of being the man in his home, for which Johnny felt he wasn't ready.

Johnny Depp with his mother, Betty Sue Palmer, and girlfriend, Vanessa Paradis, pose on the red carpet at the 76th Annual Academy Awards on February 29, 2004, in Hollywood | Source: Getty Images

The then-adolescent actor didn't take his father's words kindly, as he witnessed the end of his parents' marriage resulting in severe depression for Betty Sue. Shortly afterward, Johnny's mother tried to take her own life.

Johnny demonstrated Betty Sue's odd demeanor as he recounted the events of that afternoon during his testimony. Before the actor could call 911, his uncle promptly arrived with two paramedics who rushed her to the hospital to have her stomach pumped.

Betty Sue survived her suicide attempt, but her depression remained and exacerbated over time. Johnny recalled watching his mother's weight drop significantly. As the actor witnessed his mother's condition, he grew more deeply upset with John Christopher and the cowardly way he abandoned his family.

Johnny Depp, with his sister Elisa Christine Dembrowski (R), is pictured as he talks to filmmaker John Waters during a party for the film 'Ed Wood' at the Cannes Film Festival, France, May 1995 | Source: Getty Images

Johnny Depp's Relationship with His Father

As he grew older, Johnny Depp spoke with his father about why he left; however, the actor didn't divulge its details. Still, Johnny shared that he learned that he was wrong about his initial perception of John Christopher Depp, and it was through observing him that he knew how to raise his kids.

During his testimony, "The Tourist" co-star Johnny Depp described John Christopher as a kind, quiet and calm man who maintained that nature even during quarrels with his ex-wife. Per the Law and Crime, Johhny recalled:

"[...] and of course, in front of the kids, it was no matter to [Betty Sue] her. He amazingly remained very, very stoic [...] as she was rationing him with horrible, Uhm, things. He stood there and just looked at her while she delivered the pain, and he swallowed it. He took it."

Johnny Depp pictured with his mother, Betty Sue Palmer, at the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony to honor Johnny Depp on November 16, 1999 in Hollywood | Source: Getty Images

The actor added that there were never any moments where John Christopher would lose his temper and retaliate physically or verbally toward his wife. He would strike a wall in frustration, and Johnny remembered that happening less than a handful of times.

There were even points when Betty Sue's words would leave John Christopher teary-eyed. Regardless, John Christopher remained a gentleman, and his son shared that he saw him as a good man. Johnny also honored the tradition of naming his son John Christopher Depp III after himself and his father, now famously known as Jack Depp.

As Johnny and John Christopher's relationship solidified, the pair found more common ground as father and son. Johnny Depp never spoke about his father after the trial ended, and what John Christopher does now remains to be known.

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