Johnny Depp Lends His Support to Roman Polanski

By Sarah Crow Posted Feb 1st 2010 04:18PM

Johnny Depp, whose support of children's charities and other worthy causes has gained him media attention in the past, is lending his name to a list that is getting him some mixed reviews. The actor has recently come out in support of Roman Polanski, who was arrested in Zurich in 2009 on charges relating to a 1977 statutory rape case.

The actor, who met Polanski while filming 1999's "The Ninth Gate," has voiced his disapproval for the way in which the judicial system has handled the director's case. In an interview with The Independent, Depp said of the arrest, "Why now? Obviously, there is something going on somewhere. Somebody has made a deal with someone. Maybe there was a little money involved, but why now?"

He added that Polanski "is not a predator. He's 75 or 76 years old. He has got two beautiful kids, he has got a wife that he has been with for a long, long time. He is not out on the street."

Depp joins a long list of entertainment industry professionals who are rallying around the director, including Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, David Lynch, Monica Bellucci, and Tilda Swinton. Harvey Weinstein has spoken out on the director's behalf, telling CNN, "We are calling every filmmaker we can to help fix this terrible situation." Weinstein told The Independent, "Whatever you think about the so-called crime, Polanski has served his time."

Polanski, who has been married to model/actress Emanuelle Seigner since 1989, has resided, and mostly remained in France since 1988, where he has been protected from extradition. Despite being under house arrest in his native country, California Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza ruled last week that Polanski must return to the United States for sentencing.

Tags: Harvey Weinstein, Johnny Depp, Roman Polanski

Comments

(240)

Monday 01 February

By Riceaz

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I would have a real hard time supporting someone who anally raped a 13 year old after drugging them.

Tuesday 02 February

By Jormungandr

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Dude he had a consensual relationship with her.

By missie

where do you get your information? National Enquirer?!

By sallijaneg

In the industrialized world, consent from a 13-year-old isn't possible legally--virtually none have the mature judgement to make such a choice.

By Dr. Matt

I couldn't agree more. I am a firm believer in reaping what you sew, Roman Polanski should be behind bars...and Johnny Depp...I worry about people who support predators and pedophiles.

By Cantrell Family

I agree. This "man" has been in relationships with minors, not just one. Check Wikipedia for his profile. He is a pedophile plain and simple. Anyone who supports him is just as sick.

By eileen

I could not agree with you more, and why now? Because he fled like a coward, instead of facing the music like a man...Real men don't drug 13 year olds and have analcourse with them...so too bad, so sad, it's time to face the music.

By AJ

People need to pay for their crimes no matter how long it takes. He hide in France and now he should do his time. A 13 year old girl! He broke the law, and must be brought to justice. My family will never pay money to see the work of any of these actors or directors supporting this man ever again. I really do not care how nice he is now, a 13 year old girl, how can anyone condone that. We cannot have two sets of rules, one for actors/directors and one for other citizens.

By c3momma

Johnny Deppraved

By Janeyre

I agree Riceaz. It doesn't matter how long ago, it took place. Depp should shut up and go home. How would he feel, if it happened to his child? I know the alleged victim and her mother were paid off. They should have charged the parent as well... Anyway, he should pay. Just like any sexual predator should...

By Mike

Seems the Hollywood types have their lips squarely planted on a perverts ass. Guess raping a young girl is okay by them. I wonder just how fast Polanski's "friends" would be screaming for justice if one of their young daughter's were raped. What hypocrites.

By Jamie322

As a hardcore Johnny Depp fan I am saddened that he is backing this man. As stated, what if this was their child? Granted, she has forgiven him, however at 13 you are a CHILD plan and simple. This was a crime and at the very least he should be forced to register as a sex offender and pay for his crime.

By jackieO

You know if WOODY ALLEN is supporting him - something is wrong, I guess a pedophiles stick together, Yuck! Johnny Depp, you have a daughter don't you? Would you let any of these men babysit for you?

By steve

I love mr depps film work,but he should prove his support of polanski and let him babysit his kids,alone,with booze and drugs!And get polanski's viagra scrip.refilled for him

By Maria

Excellent suggestion! And I, too, am disappointed in Depp (whom I adore) and anyone else who supports this human refuse.

By carryouthere

Johnny does make a point... Why wait 33 years to call him out? It wouldn't shock me if there was some kind of get rich scheme going on. How do you prove the other 12 mistresses of Tiger Woods aren't doing the same thing?

By cj

One question for Johnny what if it was his daughter? Would it really matter how long it took to make him pay for the crime?

By cgm

Carryouthere

Polanski was okay until he left France. The law has been waiting for 33 years for him to leave a country without an extradiction treaty (during the time of his legal sentence).

He was safe in France, he left own his own.

By Andy

Because he was on the run for 33 years. Just because time has passed doesn't mean it was ok for him to do it.

By Karen

Nobody waited 33 years to "call him out"! He was convicted and before he was sentenced,he fled the country! I cannot believe that some people think that the passage of time makes everything okay. I am not surprised that Woody Allen supports him,that incestuous dirty old man. His wife TRUSTED him. How in the world can a man have sex with his wife's adopted daughter? That's what I call the ultimate betrayal,worse even than infidelity in your marriage. He is a talented man,but his character is absent.

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