One of the many, many perks of being a world-famous movie star is getting to spend time with your idols.
And so, Johnny Depp has lived with Hunter S. Thompson and jammed with Keith Richards.
Unfortunately, it looks like all those decades of keeping pace with the world’s hardest partiers is beginning to take a toll on Johnny.
That’s a photo of Depp that was posted online by a fan this week.
The actor appears considerably more gaunt than usual, and fans took notice in a major way.
Depp was in Russia, touring with his band, the Hollywood Vampires, and he posed for pics with fans who likely shelled out quite a few rubles for the opportunity.
Not surprisingly, those fans then posted the images to their social media accounts.
And as with past Russian Facebook activity, the effects of the posts were immediately felt on a global scale.
Depp quickly became a trending topic, with some fans expressing concern and others dismissing those concerns.
“He looks pale here. Hope he’s okay,” commented one IG user.
“Johnny Depp looks so bad, omg, is he ill or something?” wrote another.
“Please please tell me that Johnny Depp is just prepping for a movie and not that he is sick cause he doesn’t look so good here,” remarked.
“He looks like is this for a new movie. He is fine and not sick,” wrote another fan, who may be onto something.
Depp has several new films set for release, including the Harry Potter spinoff The Crimes of Grindelwald, and City of Lies, in which he plays an LAPD officer investigating the murders of Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G.
It’s unlikely that either of those movies necessitated any sort of physical transformation from Depp, but a more low-profile project entitled Richard Says Goodbye may have required Depp to shed some pounds.
According to a description of the film, Depp plays “a world-weary college professor” who receives a “life-changing diagnosis.”
Based on that description and the title of the project, we’re guessing that diagnosis isn’t seasonal allergies.
Depp defenders are clinging to the “it’s for a role” defense, but as many have pointed out, it’s equally possible that the actor’s lifestyle is simply catching up to him.
Depp will turn 55 next week, and he’s shown little interest in putting his hedonistic ways behind him.
In fact, according to a pair of recent lawsuits, he’s going at it harder than ever.
Depp is being sued by his management team in response to the allegations that the firm nearly bankrupted him.
In one court document, attorneys claim that Depp’s many wild expenditures included spending $ 30,000 a month on wine.
In a separate lawsuit, Depp is being sued by two former bodyguards for creating a “toxic and unsafe” work environment.
The former employees allege that one of their many bizarre job responsibilities was ensuring that there was no cocaine residue on Depp’s face during public appearances.
Like so many others, we’re hoping that Johnny’s frail appearance these days is the result of method acting, not health issues.
Fortunately, fans can take heart in the assurances of audience members on Depp’s current tour who claim he appears to be in good spirits — and good health.
“Just saw #JohnnyDepp in concert in Hamburg. He looks healthy, happy and he had so much fun. … How pictures can deceive an impression,” wrote one such fan.
Reps for Johnny have declined to comment on the situation.
