Penelope Cruz Joins Winona Ryder in Defense of Johnny Depp

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In an act of following in Winona Ryder's footsteps, Penelope Cruz has now filed a declaration in the defamation case that Johnny Depp has brought against his ex-wife, Amber Heard. Though the two have since starred in several films together, including "Murder on the Orient Express" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides", Cruz and Depp met very early on in their careers. Cruz explained that she had an admiration for Depp from the very start of her life as an actress.

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"I met Johnny when I was 19 years old. He was in Madrid and Pedro Almodovar introduced him to me. The only sentences I knew how to say in English at that time were, ‘how are you’ and ‘I want to work with Johnny Depp'," Cruz stated. "Many years have passed and I have not only made 3 movies with him, but I also count on him as a great friend. I’ve always been impressed by his kindness, his brilliant mind, his talent, and his peculiar sense of humor."

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Cruz then shared some thoughts on her dear friend and co-star's character. "I’ve seen Johnny in so many situations and he is always kind to everyone around. He is one of the most generous people I know," Cruz claimed. "She also added that Depp stood by her side during one of the most important moments of her life. "During six months of my first pregnancy, I spent every single day with him while we shot Pirates of the Caribbean. "

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Cruz concluded her emotional declaration with, "My husband and I will never forget the sweetness, protection, and kindness he treated me with during every single step of that process...We love him very much and I feel lucky to have someone so special in our lives." Just before Cruz filed her own declaration, Depp's ex, Winona Ryder, did the same and spoke up in defense of her former lover. "The idea that he is an incredibly violent person is the farthest thing from the Johnny I knew and loved. I cannot wrap my head around these accusations," Ryder stated.

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"He was never, never violent towards me. He was never, never abusive at all towards me. He has never been violent or abusive towards anybody I have seen," she continued. "I truly and honestly only know him as a really good man — an incredibly loving, extremely caring guy who was so very protective of me and the people that he loves, and I felt so very, very safe with him...I do not want to call anyone a liar but from my experience of Johnny, it is impossible to believe that such horrific allegations are true. I find it extremely upsetting knowing him as I do."