Johnny Depp begs for work in bizarre VMA cameo as the MTV Moonman

Johnny Depp joked about needing work during a bizarre cameo appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards in New Jersey.

The Hollywood actor returned to the spotlight for his first public appearance since his highly-publicised defamation battle with ex-wife Amber Heard to appear at the awards show dressed as the VMAs' fabled moonman in a pre-recorded sketch that involved him flying across the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

He made a series of appearances throughout the evening and during one skit, he joked: "I just want you guys to know that I'm available for birthdays, Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, wakes, any old thing you need. And you know what? I needed the work."

Depp later told the audience: "VMAs let's get back to the f*****g music, shall we?"

It's believed to be the actor's first major TV appearance in the US since his 2017 turn on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and it marks the 59-year-old Edward Scissorhands star's return to the limelight since he triumphed in his legal battle against ex-wife Heard earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Amber Heard’s sister has slated MTV for featuring Johnny Depp in its 2022 Video Music Awards.

Whitney Heard, 34, took to social media to voice her rage over his appearance, fuming on Instagram: “@MTV you’re disgusting and clearly desperate! I really hope that none of the people that made this call have daughters.”

She also shared another message on her Instagram Story in which she said: "I stand with Amber Heard”, alongside an image that renamed the event the ‘DVMAs’ – in an apparent reference to domestic violence.

Depp’s pre-recorded skit involved him dressing up as MTV’s iconic Moonman logo, with the 59-year-old’s face apparently superimposed in the space suit.

Depp, who has won five MTV Movie Awards, sued Head in February 2019 over her December 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post in which he said she labelled him a domestic abuser even though the article did not name him.

She countersued him in August 2020, with their defamation trial in Virginia ending with Depp being awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages from Heard.

The punitive damages were later lowered to $350,000 due to a limit imposed by Virginia state law.

- Bang! Showbiz