Heard was born in Austin, Texas, the daughter of Patricia Paige (née Parsons), an internet researcher, and David Clinton Heard, a contractor.[3][4] She has a sister, Whitney.[3] She dropped out of high school, eventually earning a diploma through a home-study course.[5] When Heard was 16, her best friend died in a car crash; Heard, who was raised Catholic, subsequently declared herself an atheist.[5] Her then-boyfriend introduced her to the works of novelist Ayn Rand, of whom she said, "I've read all of her books. Ever since then, I have been obsessed with her ideals. All I've ever needed is myself".[5]
Heard's earliest acting work included appearances in two music videos, Kenny Chesney's "There Goes My Life" and Eisley's "I Wasn't Prepared", small supporting roles in The WB's short-lived series Jack & Bobby (2004) and The Mountain (2004), and a guest starring role as a salesgirl in the teen drama series The O.C. (2005). She made her film debut in the sports drama Friday Night Lights (2004), which starred Billy Bob Thornton and was a commercial and critical success.[6] In the next two years, she had small supporting roles in several feature films, including Drop Dead Sexy (2005), Price to Pay (2006), You Are Here (2006), and Alpha Dog (2006), and appeared in an episode of the police proceduralCriminal Minds as a love interest of main character, Spencer Reid. She had more prominent film roles in the independent horror film Side FX (2005) and Niki Caro's drama North Country (2005), in which she was cast as the teenage version of the protagonist, played by Charlize Theron.[7]
Heard was next cast as the main character's love interest in The CW's teen drama Hidden Palms, which the network wanted to replace summer reruns of other series aimed for teenage audiences. To get the part, she was required to lose 25 pounds.[5] The series premiered in the United States on May 30, 2007, to mixed to negative reviews. It was unpopular with television audiences, and the CW canceled it, airing only eight of the planned 12 episodes.[8][9] In 2007, Heard also appeared in the short movie Day 73 with Sarah,[10] the critically panned indie drama Remember the Daze, and an episode of the Showtime series Californication.[11]
Heard gained more mainstream recognition in 2008, when she appeared in supporting roles in the Judd Apatow-produced stoner comedyPineapple Express[12] and the martial arts drama Never Back Down, both of which were box office successes. She also won a Breakthrough Award at the Hollywood Film Festival. Her other 2008 film releases were the critically panned Bret Easton Ellis adaptation The Informers, in which she was part of an ensemble cast,[13] and All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, an unconventional slasher film in which she had one of her first leading roles. Its director, Jonathan Levine, said he had chosen Heard for the title role because "there was a certain type of beauty and a certain type of innate intelligence that Amber brought to it that is not something you find every day. Certainly, not something you would find in somebody her age. The wisdom she projects I thought was pretty remarkable."[14]Mandy Lane had already premiered at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival, and had been initially picked for distribution by Harvey Weinstein.[15][16] After a negative test screening, Weinstein dropped the film, and it was then released in the United Kingdom in 2008 by a different distributing company.[17] It did not have a theatrical release in the United States until 2013. The Los Angeles Times stated that Heard gave her most "definitive [performance] to date [2013]" in the film,[18] and The Washington Post wrote that she gave a "psychologically interesting performance".[19]
In 2009, Heard had roles in the horror film The Stepfather and three comedies: ExTerminators, Zombieland, and The Joneses. In its review of the latter, Variety wrote that "she steals the show" from the film's more established star, Demi Moore.[20] Critic James Berardinelli, despite giving the film an overall negative review, liked Heard's performance.[21] In 2010, she starred in the romantic drama The River Why and continued her work in the horror genre in John Carpenter's The Ward. Carpenter described Heard as "very smart, very driven and very talented."[22] She also co-produced and starred in the independent thriller And Soon the Darkness.[23]
In 2011, Heard appeared as the female lead opposite Johnny Depp in the Hunter S. Thompson adaptation The Rum Diary, which received mixed reviews[24][25] and was not a commercial success.[26][27] Heard's other 2011 film release was Drive Angry, a supernatural action thriller in which she was paired with Nicolas Cage.[28] Film critic Roger Ebert wrote that she "does everything that can possibly be done" with her character, a waitress who becomes entangled in an undead man's mission to save his daughter from a cult.[29] In February 2011, she also appeared on the British television program Top Gear.[30]
Heard appeared in no new films until 2013, when she starred in the thriller Paranoia, the action-comedy Machete Kills, and the satirical drama Syrup. The latter was based on a novel by Max Barry, who called Heard "amazing" and said she "annihilated that character. In a good way."[31] Her only film release in 2014, action-thriller 3 Days to Kill, was a box office success.
Heard had roles in four films released in 2015, which led James Mottram of the British newspaper The Independent to call it a "watershed year" in her career.[32] She had a prominent role in the comedy-drama Magic Mike XXL as a photographer who flirts with Channing Tatum's protagonist; like its predecessor, Magic Mike (2012), the film was a large box office success.[33]Digital Spy described Heard as "a convincing girl-next-door type".[34] Heard also had a small supporting role as a ballet dancer in Tom Hooper's historical drama The Danish Girl (2015), which premiered at the 72nd Venice Film Festival to overall positive reviews.[35][36] She also starred in the independent crime thriller The Adderall Diaries alongside James Franco, Christian Slater, and Ed Harris. Indiewire gave the film a mixed review and stated that Heard was "miscast" but "displays much potential and has succeeded in a bid to be taken more seriously."[37] Her fourth role in 2015 was opposite Christopher Walken in the musical drama One More Time; for the role, she took singing lessons and learned to play piano and guitar.[38]International Business Times described Heard as "talented enough to share a few heartfelt moments in a character that mostly operates on the defensive."[39] The Los Angeles Times called her performance "superb" and The Film Stage stated that Heard did an "admirable job".[40][41]
In addition, Heard played the female lead in the Martin Amis adaptation London Fields, which was initially scheduled to premiere at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.[42] It was pulled from the festival roster after director Mathew Cullen sued its producers, accusing them of fraud and of using his name to promote a cut of the film he did not support.[43] The film's stars, including Heard, had also written to the producers, objecting to the cut that was seen at press and industry screenings in Toronto.[44]London Fields and Heard's performance received highly negative reviews,[45][46][47] and she stated that "it was one of the most difficult movies to film and it has proven to continue to be difficult...I can't say I did her [the character] justice."[32]
Heard has raised awareness about domestic and sexual violence. Together with actors Gabourey Sidibe and Freida Pinto, she read a speech on behalf of sexual assault victim Emily Doe at Glamour's Women of the Year Awards in 2016; Doe was the recipient of an award.[50] The same year, Heard made a public service announcement about domestic violence for the #GirlGaze Project,[51] and wrote an open letter about her experiences with Johnny Depp for the December 2016 issue of Porter magazine.[52]
Heard publicly came out at GLAAD's 25th anniversary event in 2010,[53] but has stated, "I don't label myself one way or another—I have had successful relationships with men and now a woman. I love who I love; it's the person that matters."[54] Of her decision to come out, she said: "I think when I became aware of my role in the media, I had to ask myself an important question 'Am I part of the problem?' And I think that when millions and millions of hard-working, taxpaying Americans are denied their rights and denied their equality you have to ask yourself what are the factors that are an epidemic problem and that's what this is."[53]
Heard was in a relationship with photographer Tasya van Ree from 2008 to 2012.[53][55] She met actor Johnny Depp while filming The Rum Diary in 2011, and they began living together the following year.[55][56] They were married in a private civil ceremony at their home in Los Angeles on February 3, 2015.[56][57]
In April 2015, Heard and Depp breached Australia's biosecurity laws when they failed to declare their two Yorkshire terriers to the Australian Customs Service when they flew by private jet into Queensland, where he was working on Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.[58][59] Heard pleaded guilty to falsifying quarantine documents, stating that she had made a mistake due to sleep deprivation.[60] She was placed on a one-month good behavior bond and paid a $1,000 fine for producing a false document.[61][62] Heard and Depp also released a video in which they apologized for their behavior and urged people to adhere to the biosecurity laws.[61]The Guardian called the case the "highest profile criminal quarantine case" in Australian history.[61]
Heard filed for divorce from Depp on May 23, 2016.[63][64] Five days later, she obtained a temporary restraining order against him, stating in her court declaration that he had been "verbally and physically abusive" throughout their relationship, with the latest incident of violence having taken place only two days before she filed for divorce.[65][66][67][68][69][70] In response, Depp's lawyers alleged that she was "attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse".[65][71] Over the following three months, Heard's lawyers provided information to the media on other alleged incidents of violence during the relationship,[71] and images of her injuries from one incident were published by People.[65] A settlement was reached on August 16, 2016,[72] and the divorce was finalized in January 2017.[73] Heard dismissed the restraining order, and they issued a joint statement saying that their "relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love. Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm."[72] She was awarded US$7 million, which she planned to donate to the American Civil Liberties Union and the Children's Hospital Los Angeles.[72][74] In April 2018, the Children's Hospital Los Angeles reported that Heard donated between $1 million and $5 million to the organization in 2017.[75]
Heard dated Elon Musk for about a year, until August 2017.[76]
John Christopher Depp II is an American actor, producer and musician. He has been nominated for ten Golden Globe Awards, winning one for Best Actor for his performance of the title role in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2008) and has been nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Actor, among other accolades.
Clea DuVall
Clea Helen D'Etienne DuVall is an American actress, writer, producer, and director. She is known for her appearances in films such as The Faculty (1998), She's All That; But I'm a Cheerleader; Girl, Interrupted, Identity, 21 Grams, The Grudge (2004), Zodiac (2007), Conviction (2010), and Argo (2012).
Mandy Moore
Amanda Leigh Moore is an American singer-songwriter and actress. In 1999, Moore signed with Epic Records and came to fame with the release of her debut single "Candy", which peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her debut studio album, So Real (1999), went on to receive a platinum certification from the RIAA. The title single from her second studio album, I Wanna Be With You (2000), became Moore's first top 30 song in the U.S., peaking at number 24 on the Hot 100. As of 2009, Billboard reported that Moore had sold more than ten million albums worldwide.
Patricia Arquette
Patricia Arquette is an American actress. She made her feature film debut as Kristen Parker in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987). Her other notable films include True Romance (1993), Ed Wood (1994), Flirting with Disaster (1996), Lost Highway (1997), The Hi-Lo Country (1998), Bringing Out the Dead (1999), Holes (2003), and Fast Food Nation (2006).
Vanessa Paradis
Vanessa Chantal Paradis is a French musician, singer, songwriter, actress, and fashion model.
America Ferrera
America Georgine Ferrera is an American actress, voice actress, producer and fashion model. Born in Los Angeles, California, to Honduran parents, Ferrera developed an interest in acting at a young age, performing in several stage productions at her school. She made her feature film debut in 2002 with the comedy drama Real Women Have Curves, winning praise for her performance. Ferrera is the recipient of numerous accolades including an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award among others.
Paula Patton
Paula Maxine Patton is an American actress. Patton made her feature film debut in the 2005 comedy Hitch. She also had starring roles in the films Déjà Vu (2006), Precious (2009), Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011), 2 Guns (2013), and Warcraft (2016).
Rebecca Hall
Rebecca Maria Hall is an English-American actress who made her first onscreen appearance at age 10 in the 1992 television adaptation of The Camomile Lawn, directed by her father Peter Hall. Her professional stage debut came in her father's 2002 production of Mrs. Warren's Profession, which earned her enthusiastic reviews and the Ian Charleson Award.
Nina Dobrev
Nikolina Konstantinova Dobreva, known professionally as Nina Dobrev, is a Canadian actress. Her first acting role was as Mia Jones in the drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation. She later became known for portraying Elena Gilbert and Katherine Pierce, along with two other characters on The CW's supernatural drama series The Vampire Diaries.
Claire Holt
Claire Rhiannon Holt (born 11 June 1988) is an Australian actress, known for her roles as Rebekah Mikaelson in the television series The Vampire Diaries and its spinoff series The Originals, Samara Cook in Pretty Little Liars, Emma in H2O: Just Add Water, and Kate in the survival horror film 47 Meters Down.
Harley Quinn Smith
Harley Quinn Smith is an American actress and musician. Smith has appeared in the film Tusk and its spin-off Yoga Hosers, both written and directed by her father, filmmaker Kevin Smith. She is also the bass player and one of the singers in the bubblegum punk band, The Tenth.
All the Boys Love Mandy Lane
All the Boys Love Mandy Lane is a 2006 American horror film directed by Jonathan Levine, and starring Amber Heard, Michael Welch, Whitney Able and Anson Mount. The plot centers on a group of popular high schoolers who invite an attractive outsider, Mandy Lane, to spend the weekend at a secluded ranch house, where they are followed by a merciless killer.
The Rum Diary (film)
The Rum Diary is a 2011 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Bruce Robinson, based on the novel of the same name by Hunter S. Thompson. It stars Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Rispoli, Amber Heard, Richard Jenkins and Giovanni Ribisi.
Lily Collins
Lily Jane Collins is an English-American actress, model, and writer. The daughter of English musician Phil Collins, and an American mother, Jill Tavelman, she was born in Surrey and moved to Los Angeles as a child. Her first screen role was at the age of two in the BBC series Growing Pains. She went on to study broadcast journalism at the University of Southern California, and as a teenager, wrote for Seventeen magazine, Teen Vogue, and The Los Angeles Times. She was named International Model of the Year by Spain's Glamour magazine after being selected by Chanel to wear one of their dresses at the Hotel de Crillon in 2007. In 2008, she was named Newest Red Carpet Correspondent and One to Watch by Young Hollywood.
Johnny Depp filmography
John Christopher Depp II is an American actor, director, song-writer, screen-writer, film producer,art director and musician. He started his film career by playing Glen Lantz in the 1984 horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street. He also appeared in the 1986 film Platoon with Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, and Willem Dafoe. In the 1990s, he starred as the title characters in the films Cry-Baby (1990), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Arizona Dream (1993), What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), Benny and Joon 1993 romantic drama Ed Wood (1994), Don Juan DeMarco (1995), Dead Man (1995) and Donnie Brasco (1997). He also starred in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as Hunter S. Thompson (1998), The Ninth Gate as Dean Corso (1999), and Sleepy Hollow as Ichabod Crane (1999).
Transcendence (2014 film)
Transcendence is a 2014 American science fiction thriller film directed by cinematographer Wally Pfister in his directorial debut, and written by Jack Paglen. The film stars Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, Paul Bettany, Kate Mara, Cillian Murphy, Cole Hauser, and Morgan Freeman. Pfister's usual collaborator, Christopher Nolan, served as executive producer on the project.
London Fields (film)
London Fields is a 2018 mystery thriller film directed by Mathew Cullen with a screenplay by Roberta Hanley and Martin Amis, based on the 1989 novel of the same name by Amis. The film stars Billy Bob Thornton as Samson Young, a terminally ill writer who has suffered from writer's block for 20 years. The cast also includes Amber Heard, Jim Sturgess, Theo James, Cara Delevingne and Jaimie Alexander.
Lily-Rose Depp
Lily-Rose Melody Depp is a French-American actress and model.
City of Lies
City of Lies is a 2018 American drama police crime film directed by Brad Furman and written by Christian Contreras. It is based on the book LAbyrinth by Randall Sullivan, about the murder investigations of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. The film stars Johnny Depp as retired detective LAPD Russell Poole and Forest Whitaker as a journalist Jackson, with Rockmond Dunbar and Neil Brown Jr. also starring. Originally set to be released on September 7, 2018 by Global Road Entertainment, it was pulled off the schedule in August 2018; no new date has been announced, but it was screened out of competition in Italy at the Noir Film Festival on December 8, 2018.