"Pirate" Johnny Depp battles City Hall
Okay, if I was an unknown French artist and Johnny Depp arranged a special showing of my work at a West Hollywood gallery, I'd look a lot happier about it.
But maybe this is what a happy French artist looks like.
The two-time Oscar nominee and his amour Vanessa Paradis showed up at their South of France pal Gravleur's exhibit at the Trigg Ison Gallery in West Hollywood June 1. In case you missed it, his decidely disturbing pastel portraits will hang through June 20.
Depp's been chilllin' in LA, waiting for the humongous June 24th Disneyland premiere of "Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest." But he's also been fighting the West Hollywood City Council over a retail project that threatens to block the view of the Sunset Strip from his Hollywood Hills home.
Depp's first filed a lawsuit claiming that city council violated environmental quality laws by approving a $10 million prosed project in 2004. He lost the case but the legal scuffle did delay the project for a year. Now his sis - Christi Dembrowski - is appealing on his behalf.
The suit says the retail shops, restaurant and parking structure planned below his $5.4 million estate will ruin the view for his two children while they play outside. The developers - who must be true blue fans to know this – insist that Depp's son (4) and daughter (6) don't actually live here year-round and are being raised by their parents in France.
Well, yeah, okay. But like they do visit occasionally.
Photo Credits: Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis take time to support their tortured artist pal, Gravleur, while fighting West Hollywood developers plans to ruin their view of the Sunset Strip.
WireImage/Jeff Vespa
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I have a real problem with reporters who write articles that are inaccurate because the reporters are behind the times or did not do the proper research. Johnny and Vanessa are not raising their kids who are 4 and 7 (not 4 & 6) in France. Their daughter attends school in LA. And they've been living in the West Hollywood house for almost two years. There are exceptions, such as when Vanessa and the kids visit Johnny on location. But, their residence has been West Hollywood, NOT France.
I suggest that, not just the person who wrote this article, but ALL "reporters" get their facts absolutely straight before writing something that could damage those they write about. And, an article of apology for writing inaccurate information about Johnny, Vanessa and their kids, and where they live, would be very nice to see. At least someone would have the guts to eat crow and admit to the mistaken facts. And then, fully researching, next time, instead of going by what every other misinformed reporter and organization says, would be a good step in the right direction, as well.
With all do respect to the Depp family: What do you expect moving into such a densely populated city, above a dense commercial corridor, and not just any corridor but the world famous Sunset Strip? I think it's reasonable to expect that something would be built on such a parcel. With that said perhaps Mr. Depp should leverage the threat of continued lawsuits and delays with an offer to buy the land. He can then build something low density that his children and the community would enjoy like a beautiful green park.
To Linda -- excellent job.
Furthermore, developers have become pariah. I can't think of a more despised and reviled thing in California today than be called a "developer".
Stop them here. Stop them there. Just stop them. I'll puke if I have to see another faux Spanish colonial nouveau stucco Santa Barbara post modern blight on the landscape.
Has anyone heard that a developer form Sacramento is trying to become the king of Sacramento?
I'm with Depp all the way. My only complaint is I can't get my girlfriends attention when he's dressed up like a pirate -- go figure.
The reality of urban development in Hollywood!?!?! Get out! Seriously, Mr Depp is more likely trying to extort money from the developer for degrading the value of Depp's home - "impeding the view". After all, people don't go to Hollywood to look at buildings.
Look at the rest of the pictures from the art show before you say how unexcited Grauvieur looks. There are plenty in which he's smiling.
his daughter is 7!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE GET IT RIGHT!!