The courtroom duel pitting Johnny Depp against ex-wife Amber Heard veered between drama and farce this week, focusing on the entourage of professionals and hangers-on that follow the stars, creating a vision of Hollywood in all its extravagance.

Domestic violence allegations levelled by the 36-year-old actress, as well as the 58-year-old star’s denials, are at the centre of a high-profile defamation case filed on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. on April 11.

Following a barrage of testimony, Depp gave up his position on the witness stand on Tuesday to the supporting cast of characters who surround him: agent, driver, bodyguard, wealth manager… And these supporting characters have been known to steal the show on occasion.

– The vaping doorman –

Alejandro Romero is a doorman in a luxury building in Los Angeles where the couple lived. Testifying by video link while sitting at the wheel of his car, he said he had not seen any marks on Heard’s face after the couple’s final argument in May 2016.

The actress appeared shortly afterwards in a court, her face apparently swollen, to apply for a protective order.

But the porter didn’t want to dwell on his memories. “I am so stressed out,” he said, puffing on an e-cigarette. “I don’t want to deal with this anymore,” he said, underscoring the point by starting his car.

“Alright,” responded Judge Penney Azcarate. “That was a first, I’m sorry.”

– The loyal bodyguard –
Bodyguard Malcolm Connolly has worked for Depp for 23 years. With a marked Scottish accent, he gave his unfailing support on Thursday, saying Heard “wanted to wear the pants in this relationship” and said it was she who initiated the couple’s arguments.

Asked about the actor’s alcohol and drug use, he insisted that the star had “a very high tolerance” for “any substance.”

“I think Jack Sparrow was more drunk than Johnny Depp,” he said, referencing Depp’s famous character in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies.

Even so, he said he had never seen the actor urinate in a hallway, as Heard’s lawyers had suggested.

“I think I would remember if I had seen Mr Depp’s penis,” he said.

Seeking to show his financial dependence on the actor, Heard’s lawyers asked him if he had received $8,500 in gifts over the years.

“He gave me so much more than that!” Connolly replied without flinching.

– Huge checks from the financial manager –

Depp’s lavish lifestyle, which includes 45 expensive automobiles, a yacht, and various homes, including an island, has made headlines on a regular basis.

Edward White, his business manager, told the court on Thursday how he attempted to correct his records while settling the costs of his divorce from Amber Heard in 2017.

“She initially was looking for a consideration of $4 million, but her demand continually increased,” he said.

In the end, Depp paid her $6.8 million, wrote checks for $200,000 in donations in her name, paid half a million to her lawyers, and assumed all debts incurred during their lifetime together, around $13.5 million.

– The agent and confidante –
Christian Carino was agent and friend to the two actors, but no longer speaks to either of them.

By video, he said he had tried in vain to reconcile them and read text messages exchanged with Heard after their divorce.

In one message, the “Aquaman” actress said she was “sad” to have broken up with her new lover, billionaire Elon Musk.

“You weren’t in love with him and you told me a thousand times you were just filling space,” responded Carino, who had once been engaged to Lady Gaga.

– Psychological analysis of clothes –

Depp wore a light grey suit with a black tie with a bee design on the opening day of the trial. Amber Heard wore a grey jacket the next day, then a tie with bee embroidered on it the day after that.

Shannon Curry, a psychologist called by Depp’s legal team, said that she believed the actress had “borderline personality disorder,” which may lead her to “copy” others close to her.

– How about now? –
Heard’s lawyers want Elon Musk and actor James Franco, who is a close friend of their client, to testify. The two men, however, declined without providing an explanation for their decision.