Johnny Depp looks suave in suit at Saudi film festival amid news of best friend Shane MacGowan's death
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA: Johnny Depp was seen in attendance at the Opening Night screening of 'HWJN' during the third edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival held on Thursday, November 30 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
This came after the actor's best friend, the renowned Irish rock musician Shane MacGowan, died "peacefully" at the age of 65 with his wife Victoria Mary Clarke and family by his side, as reported by Daily Mail.
The duo had a friendship spanning over three decades after Depp apparently "fell in love" with MacGowan when they first met.
Johnny Depp looks dapper in an all-black suit at the Red Sea International Film Festival
Posing for pictures on the red carpet during the MENA premiere of Maiwenn's Cannes 2023 title 'Jeanne du Barry', the 60-year-old Johnny Depp looked stunning in an all-black suit tailored for the occasion. The actor finished off his ensemble with some black brogues with thick soles.
He wore a pair of pale blue glasses, and his long hair was neatly pulled back in a ponytail. A lover of jewelry, he added his trademark large rings and silver earrings to complete the look.
The star's remarkable collection of tattoos was primarily hidden, with his fingers and chest showing off the most of it.
Notably, on the opening night, the Red Sea International Film Festival held the premiere of the much-awaited Saudi fantasy film 'HJWN'.
Based on Ibraheem Abbas's best-selling Young Adult fantasy novel, the movie tells the tale of a good-hearted jinn who learns the truth about his royal ancestry. Jinn then embarks on a heroic quest to recover his birthright, but along the way, he develops feelings for a teenage medical student.
Shane MacGowan battled with viral encephalitis
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Shane MacGowan had been in and out of Dublin's St Vincent's Hospital for months due to viral encephalitis, a potentially fatal illness that causes brain swelling. Ahead of his impending birthday on Christmas Day, the musician was released from the hospital last week.
During his 1980s peak, Hellraiser Shane—famous for his hard-partying lifestyle, slurred speech, missing teeth, and on-stage meltdowns—was a popular figure. His 1987 hit song, 'Fairytale of New York', went on to become a Christmas classic, selling millions of copies worldwide.
Due to years of alcohol and drug abuse, the Irish icon's poor health in recent years forced him to use a wheelchair and require the help of his wife and caregiver at home.
After releasing a heartfelt picture of the rock star to commemorate their fifth wedding anniversary, his distraught wife revealed the news of his death on Thursday.
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Depp even performed on the guitar during MacGowan and Clarke's intimate wedding at Copenhagen City Hall in November 2018, demonstrating the close friendship between the two.
In 2018, Shane celebrated a star-studded 60th birthday with Bono, Nick Cave, Sinead O'Connor, Depp, and bassist Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols.
A biopic about The Pogues frontman's rise to fame and struggles with substance addiction, 'Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan', was also produced by the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star in 2020.
