Actor Johnny Depp Disavows Anti-American Quotes

Reuters ^ | September 4, 2003 | Reuters

[AntiGuv]

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Denying any anti-American sentiment on his part, actor Johnny Depp said on Thursday that quotes attributed to him as likening the United States to a "dumb puppy" were inaccurate and taken out of context.

"I am an American. I love my country and have great hopes for it," Depp said in a statement released by his Los Angeles-based publicist. "It is for this reason that I speak candidly and sometimes critically about it. I have benefited greatly from the freedom that exists in my country and for this I am eternally grateful."

Depp, currently starring in the swashbuckling film "Pirates of the Caribbean," issued the statement a day after the German news magazine Stern published an interview in which he ridiculed Washington's confrontation with France, where he lives, over the U.S. war in Iraq.

The magazine quoted the actor as saying "America is ... like a dumb puppy that has big teeth that can bite and hurt you, aggressive." He was further quoted as saying he wanted his children to "see America as ... a broken toy" that they should explore, get the feel of, then "get out."

Explaining his comments a day later, Depp he had been using a metaphor that was taken "radically out of context," adding, "There was no anti-American sentiment."

"What I was saying was that, compared to Europe, America is a very young country and we are still growing as a nation," he said. "My deepest apologies to those who were offended, affected, or hurt by this insanely twisted deformation of my words and intent."

His spokeswoman added that the Kentucky-born Depp, 40, lives in the south of France with his family because his wife, actress-singer Vanessa Paradis, is French.

[hauerf]

Sure.

[dennisw]

I don't believe this knuckle head. His agent got hold of him and told him he has a big big problem in the USA

[ambrose]

looks like his agent in Hollyweird got on the horn and screamed in Depp's ear for a bit, after reading that interview...

[Cold Heat]

Backtrack, then claim the free country patiotic stuff to deflect the criticism.

Over and over again.

[TankerKC]

I see. We are all going to believe what we read in the papers 100% now? Certainly there is a possibility that he was misquoted.

[angkor]

Funny, I saw him on Actor's Studio months ago, and he said quite clearly that he didn't want his kids to grow up in America.

[jern]

To bad so sad.

[DoughtyOne]

His appology is as bad as the original. He has a right to say what he wants, but I have a right to think what I want about it. And those thoughts aren't pretty. If Depp thinks his ideas are worthy, he should run for office and advance them. I happen to think that people who have the advantage of a voice like Depp, should carefully weigh what they say. If he did, so much the worse. The guy just doesn't get it.

[nickcarraway]

I have benefited greatly from the freedom that exists in my country and for this I am eternally grateful.

That's for sure. What freedoms does he have in France that he doesn't have in the U.S.? The freedom to commit violence against Jews?

[wizardoz]

"I am an American. I love my country and have great hopes for it,"

Translation: "My agent is gonna kill me if I don't clean this up."

[Hildy]

Why don't you think it's sincere? I'll believe Depp over some German rag anyday. He didn't have to apologize. I think it's classy that he did.

[Hildy]

If I had his money, I don't know if I'd have my kids grow up in America either.

[Sam Cree]

"What I was saying was that, compared to Europe, America is a very young country and we are still growing as a nation," he said"

Maybe one day we'll grow up and mature. Then we can be like Germany and murder 10,000,000 in cold blood. /sarcasm/

The truth is that our government is older than just about any in Europe.

[AD from SpringBay]

"I love my earning potential and have great hopes for it," Depp said in a statement released by his Los Angeles-based publicist.

Plastic head actor, plays pretend for a living and just spouts his lines - doesn't even have a spine. He might make a fine congressional republican someday.

[Sam Cree]

Where would you have them grow up?

[LandofLincoln]

This whole damn bunch in HOLLYWOOD have been holed up in their make believe world for so long that they have no concept of reality.

Hollywood is the largest collection of C- students, who have been paid so much for doing so little.

I hate TV (except BIG BILL O' on FOX), I hate movies (my wife says the last movie that I ever saw was GREASE), and that is ALL because of these morons in hollywood. They make my skin crawl.

[jrushing]

Depp said in a statement released by his Los Angeles-based publicist.

Too bad we don't have the email address for Depp & his publicist. I would like to send them my sentiments.

[randog]

When will they learn that telling their customers that they suck is not good marketing?

Hello, McFly, hello...

[Finalapproach29er]

Thank you.

[BOBWADE]

Notice that he has a new release coming soon. Must be worried that his mouth may cost him some money.

[cyborg]

A German tabloid rag at that... to be sure they know they'll get some publicity by stirring up the ire of Americans

[MotleyGirl70]

"There was no anti-American sentiment."

What do you call this Deppy Boy...

"America is ... like a dumb puppy that has big teeth that can bite and hurt you, aggressive." He was further quoted as saying he wanted his children to "see America as ... a broken toy" that they should explore, get the feel of, then "get out."

[My Favorite Headache]

Figures...

[Lurker]

I watched "To Hell And Back" yesterday, and "Rooster Cogburn" is on tonite.

"Hang 'Em High" was on just the other day, and "Patton" is in my DVD player.

(OK, so I like LOTR so far....)

I was going to take my son to that "Pirates Of The Caribbean" movie, but no way now. We'll go play golf instead.

L

[MotleyGirl70]

Touche!

[Sam Cree]

I heard "Seabiscuit" was good. Thinking of seeing it, even though I also rarely watch a movie or tv either.

[Pukin Dog]

Only when I see his publicist beat him up on TV, just as he probably did in private, will I ever patronize this fool. Actually, even afterwards, not a dime. STFU, Depp.

[Libloather]

The magazine quoted the actor as saying "America is ... like a dumb puppy that has big teeth that can bite and hurt you, aggressive." He was further quoted as saying he wanted his children to "see America as ... a broken toy" that they should explore, get the feel of, then "get out."

Proper translation from German - "America is the Big Dog and kicks anyone's behind - at any time. Check out my latest flick. America can break you like a little toy - so watch out."

The Germans can be soooo inaccurate…

[alnick]

"My deepest apologies to those who were offended, affected, or hurt by this insanely twisted deformation of my words and intent."

Translation: Please don't boycott my movie.

[MississippiMan]

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that movie contracts for the big bucks contain clauses that require the payee not to do or say things that might reflect poorly on the payor, that require the payee to make a good faith effort to promote the film, etc. I don't know this, just guessing that this could be the case. If so, I can imagine the studio coming unglued. Any entertainment lawyers among us here on FR? Might there be similar clauses? That's one heck of a (pathetic and repugnant) reversal on his part.

MM

[StatesEnemy]

"I am an American. I love my country and have great hopes for it, It is for this reason that I speak candidly and sometimes critically about it. I have benefited greatly from the freedom that exists in my country and for this I am eternally grateful."

Parsed:

"Please keep paying to see my movies - It costs a lot to shack up with my spawns' broodmare, and still drink a respectable vintage"

[StatesEnemy]

"I am an American. I love my country and have great hopes for it, It is for this reason that I speak candidly and sometimes critically about it. I have benefited greatly from the freedom that exists in my country and for this I am eternally grateful."

Parsed:

"Please keep paying to see my movies - It costs a lot to shack up with my spawns' broodmare, and still drink a respectable vintage"

[hole_n_one]

Please sign my name as well.

[cyborg]

After visiting England and France, I definately wish I had either grown up in Europe or Wilhemstaad,Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles. There are definately big advantages to living in Europe, aspects of the culture that America does not have. It was a relief to NOT think about race, have someone ask me about my race, or have someone assume I'm of their race and tell me all their problems. That's one example. Another reason is the culture and lifestyle. People have their reasons for moving abroad. I don't care if they do. America is the greatest country in the world in terms of economic opportunity and such as.

[ezoeni]

yeah right sure.... thats why he moved to france of all places. I wanted to see that movie thats out. Looks like I wont. To bad I liked him as a actor.

[scabbage]

If that`s true why is he still living in that toilet?

[Howlin]

His spokeswoman added that the Kentucky-born Depp, 40, lives in the south of France with his family because his wife, actress-singer Vanessa Paradis, is French.

That is an out and out lie; he plainly said that they were moving to France to raise their children because America was a hell hole.

[Wondervixen]

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, if for no other reason than it was a frickin' French reporter who did the interview. The only thing worse would have been to give the BBC an interview.

[Tribune7]

I'm inclined to give Depp the benefit of the doubt. I figure the possiblitiy of him actually saying the anti-American comment is about equal to that of the anti-American German journalist twisting whatever it was he said beyond recognition.

The apology and that fact that on principle I'll take an American's word over a German's tilts things in Depp's favor, even if the American happens to be an artsy type.

[ezoeni]

"Rooster Cogburn" is on tonite?

----------

what chanel? Nice! That is one of the best movies along with true grit. But I like Rooster more. The Shootest is a good one as well.

[Howlin]

Au Revior, Stinky Johnny [Depp] -'Pirates of Caribbean' Star Mortified by USA , Moving to Paris
NY Post ^ | July 11, 2003 | Richard Johnson

Posted on 07/11/2003 10:00 AM EDT by ewing

If (actor) Johnny Depp's kids want to smoke pot when they are older, they can count on dad to score it with them.

'Out on the street you never know what you are getting,' Depp tells next months GQ magazine, explaining his plans to supply his 2 children with singer Vanessa Paradis with quality pot untainted by PCP.

'Suddenly, two days later you are beating yourself with a towel, quoting Poe. You don't want that for your kid.'

Depp declares he now plans to make Paris his permanent home because the United States 'mortifies him' with its childish 'freedom fries' and 'freedom toast.'

[Howlin]

See #43.

[kitkat]

*****I don't believe this knuckle head. His agent got hold of him and told him he has a big big problem in the USA*****

YEP!

[Tribune7]

Good reasoning. :-)

[chuknospam]

DCS: Dixie Chix Syndrome. Trash the U.S. then back up like a crab because it is cutting into your income.

[Wondervixen]

Hey, at least he rectified the damage...That's a hell of a lot more than the other arrogant, unrepentive Garafalo's in Hollyweird have done.

[Tribune7]

OK, he's on the s-list.

[viaveritasvita]

>>"If I had his money, I don't know if I'd have my kids grow up in America either."<<


Anyone want to start a collection for Hildy and her poor children to go.....where? It'll be one-way tickets.