In the glamorous yet often ruthless world of Hollywood, the truth can be a carefully guarded secret. When the sensational trial of Johnny Depp versus Amber Heard gripped the world’s attention, it was Paul Barresi, a seasoned Hollywood fixer, who found himself at the heart of the storm.
Hired by Amber Heard’s legal team to delve into the depths of Johnny Depp’s past, Barresi’s mission was clear: unearth any trace of scandal, any whisper of wrongdoing that could sway the court of public opinion. His journey, however, took an unexpected turn, leading him down a rabbit hole of revelations, not only about Depp but also about Heard herself.
In this exclusive interview, Barresi breaks his silence, offering an unfiltered glimpse into his experiences investigating Depp, the surprising truths he uncovered, and his unique perspective on the trial that captivated the world.
From Private Eye to Hollywood Fixer: Paul Barresi’s Unconventional Journey
Barresi’s path to becoming a Hollywood fixer is anything but ordinary. He’s a man who’s navigated the underbelly of Tinseltown, a world where secrets are currency and reputation is paramount. His journey from private investigator to the ultimate problem-solver for the rich and famous began in the most unlikely of places – the pages of Playgirl magazine in the 1970s.
“There’s not much of a journey from private detective to Hollywood fixer,” Barresi reveals, a hint of mischief in his voice. “The only difference is the fixer is the last resort guy. When everything else fails, the fixer is the guy you want to call because he usually gets the job done.”
And get the job done he has, for a roster of high-profile clients that includes names like Sylvester Stallone and Eddie Murphy. His specialty? Extinguishing those particularly scorching fires of scandal, especially those fueled by salacious rumors and career-ending allegations.
Barresi’s intimate knowledge of Hollywood’s underbelly, however, stems from a past he doesn’t shy away from. His early foray into the entertainment industry, which included an acting role alongside Raquel Welch, unexpectedly led him to the world of adult entertainment. This experience, as unconventional as it may seem, provided him with a unique understanding of the shadowy side of Hollywood – a world where the lines between pleasure and danger often blur.
The Amber Heard Case: Digging for Dirt and Finding Humanity
Barresi’s entanglement with the Depp-Heard case began with a phone call from Eric George, Heard’s high-powered attorney. Tasked with unearthing dirt on Depp, Barresi embarked on a relentless search, determined to fulfill his obligation to his client. He scoured Depp’s past, interviewing countless individuals who crossed paths with the enigmatic actor.
To his surprise, what he found contradicted the narrative he’d been hired to support. Instead of a trail of scandalous behavior, Barresi encountered an overwhelming wave of positive testimonials. Those who knew Depp described him as a “sweetheart,” a “gem of a guy.” Even within the notorious Viper Room, the Los Angeles club once owned by Depp, Barresi found no shortage of people willing to vouch for the actor’s character.
“I couldn’t find one person to say one deprecating thing about him,” Barresi admits, emphasizing the thoroughness of his investigation. “Now let me get something clear with everybody, just because I couldn’t find somebody to tell me ‘Yeah, he’s a bad guy,’ somebody credible, we don’t know what people do behind closed doors.”
Barresi acknowledges the limitations of his investigation, recognizing that public persona and private behavior don’t always align. However, the consistency of the positive accounts he received about Depp planted seeds of doubt about the narrative he’d been hired to corroborate.
A Deeper Dive: Uncovering the Roots of Johnny Depp
Intrigued by the dichotomy between the allegations and the reality he was uncovering, Barresi shifted his focus, embarking on a journey to understand the man behind the movie star. He delved into Depp’s family history, unearthing historical documents that painted a poignant picture of the actor’s formative years.
Among his findings were Depp’s parents’ marriage certificate, revealing a four-year age gap, with Depp’s father being the younger of the two. This seemingly insignificant detail, according to Barresi, speaks volumes about the family dynamics. Drawing upon his experience, Barresi suggests that Depp’s father, much like Depp himself, might have been a passive individual, allowing Depp’s mother, Betty Sue, to take the reins in their relationship.
This pattern, Barresi argues, manifested in Depp’s own life. His research uncovered Depp’s father’s struggles with holding down a job, ultimately leading to his public dismissal from his position as city manager. Barresi sees a parallel between Depp’s father’s experience and Depp’s own challenges in navigating the cutthroat world of Hollywood.
Perhaps the most poignant discovery was a newspaper clipping announcing Depp’s father’s firing, a headline that blared “John Depp Fired From City Job.” This incident, occurring when Depp was just six years old, left an undeniable mark on the young boy’s life.
“This is so much with what Johnny’s going through right now,” Barresi observes, “with the dismissal from the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ series and allegedly being fired from ‘Pirates.’ The other cheek sometimes isn’t a bad thing, it’s just a show.”
Barresi’s investigation into Depp’s past extended beyond his parents’ relationship. He uncovered court documents detailing their divorce, revealing that Depp’s father sought the help of a psychiatrist specializing in marriage counseling just eight months before their separation. This detail, often overlooked, hints at the complexities of their relationship and the efforts made to salvage their marriage.
The Other Side of the Story: Amber Heard’s Difficult Beginnings
Despite being hired to investigate Depp, Barresi couldn’t ignore the whispers about Amber Heard that reached his ears. While many remained tight-lipped, those willing to speak painted a troubling picture of the actress.
Jonathan Shaw, a close friend of Depp’s and a key witness in the trial, held nothing back in his assessment of Heard. His disdain for her was palpable, referring to her with venomous language and expressing a complete lack of sympathy for her situation.
While Barresi acknowledges Shaw’s loyalty to Depp, the intensity of his feelings, mirrored by the online vitriol directed at Heard, gave him pause. He cautions against rushing to judgment, emphasizing the importance of considering all sides of the story.
“These attacks are going to continue on,” Barresi predicts, “and you and I are probably going to continue to be in the crossfire. People prefer to hear only the confessions of one’s defects rather than any magnificent achievements that we do in life, which is sad, but that’s our society.”
Barresi’s investigation into Heard, though not as extensive as his deep dive into Depp’s past, yielded insights into her formative years. He tracked down her first drama teacher, Ivan Klausia, who spoke of Heard’s passion for acting and her undeniable talent. He also learned about the challenging environment she endured growing up, with an allegedly abusive, alcoholic father.
These details, often overshadowed by the negative publicity surrounding Heard, humanize her, offering a glimpse into the experiences that shaped her into the woman she is today.
Barresi also connected with Joshua Cruz, a childhood friend of Heard’s, who offered a more balanced perspective. Cruz, whose parents shared a close friendship with Heard’s family, described her as a well-liked young woman with a bright future ahead of her.
These contrasting narratives underscore the complexities of human nature, reminding us that truth is rarely black and white, especially in the world of Hollywood, where perception is often more powerful than reality.
