Johnny Depp has been awarded a Gold Medal of Merit by Serbia's controversial President Aleksandar Vucic.
Per Daily Mail, the 58-year-old actor was presented with the medal during a ceremony honoring Serbian Statehood Day, which took place in the nation's capital Belgrade on Tuesday, February 15.
Since domestic violence accusations saw him blacklisted from much of Hollywood, the Pirates of the Caribbean star has been involved in a number of Serbian projects including the 2020 film Minimata and the animated show Puffins.
Now, President Vucic has commended him formally with an award celebrating "outstanding merits in public and cultural activities, especially in the field of film art and the promotion of the Republic of Serbia in the world."
Depp thanked Vucic personally, saying: "I truly, sincerely thank you, President Vucic, and this medal of merit, if I am given the honor to walk away with this, I thank you for being kind enough to bestow it upon me."
The Serbian President has been a controversial figure since his election in 2017. As well as allegations of corruption, he has also been accused of suppressing the press and pushing Serbia towards authoritarian rule, per Daily Mail.
Later in his acceptance speech, Depp said that he was hoping to start over in the Balkan nation.
"I like a re-beginning, and I would love for that beginning to start here," said the Kentucky-born actor, adding that he is "right now on the verge of a new life."
Depp's career has been blighted by controversy ever since his ex-wife Amber Heard accused him of domestic violence. After The Sun newspaper labeled him a "wife-beater", Depp took them to court and in 2020 became embroiled in a high-profile court case that he subsequently lost.
All the negative press meant Depp had no choice but to walk away from his starring role in the Fantastic Beasts franchise, in which he was replaced by Mads Mikkelsen.
He has since struggled to land roles in the US and said in an interview with The Sunday Times that he feels Hollywood is "boycotting" him.
