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Nothing quite says “neighborly love” like a prank from Johnny Depp and Hunter S. Thompson.
Don Johnson recounted a rather surprising incident involving a young Depp, now 61, and the late Thompson. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday, November 8, the actor shared a story from his time living as Thompson’s neighbor in Woody Creek, Colorado.
Johnson, 74, reminisced about the pranks Thompson would pull, explaining how one particular one involved the Blow actor. Johnson recalled a time when he called the journalist to see if he had any marijuana, to which Thompson readily agreed. “Of course, he had. Like a ton out back,” Johnson noted, adding that he decided to send his assistant to retrieve the weed for a small gathering he was hosting.
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As the Doctor Odyssey actor’s assistant drove up Thompson’s driveway, he had no idea what awaited him. Johnson explained, “Johnny Depp and Hunter were hiding behind Hunter’s car with shotguns loaded with blanks. And my assistant got out of the car, and they both jumped out and said, ‘Die, mother!'” Johnson revealed that his assistant was so startled that he “peed his pants.”
Fans commented on the incident on a clip from the show which was posted to YouTube. “That prank of Johnny Depp 😂 could easily have gone wrong…imagine they were so high and by accident not a blank in the gun ufff,” said one fan, while another commented, “oh the pranks these two must pull. “
Thompson, known for his gonzo journalism, and Depp, who famously portrayed a character based on his likeness in the 1998 film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, had a close relationship through the years. The movie follows the wild adventures of Raoul Duke (a character based on Thompson), who is played by Depp, and his attorney Dr. Gonzo, portrayed by Benicio Del Toro, as they embark on a drug-fueled journey to Las Vegas.
Tragically, Thompson died by suicide in 2005. He was 67 years old.
Depp is currently showcasing his artistic talents in an New York City art show titled “A Bunch of Stuff,” where visitors can view his paintings and other works in an immersive setting. This comes on the heels of his highly publicized defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard, which drew significant media attention and public interest throughout 2022.