Scarlett Johansson fails to obtain restraining order against obsessed fan who thinks he fathered one of her children
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Scarlet Johansson has had a judge reject her restraining order against Michael Joseph Branham, an obsessed fan who believes he is her son's father.
The 39-year-old actress filed a lawsuit against her stalker Branham in November 2023 after her family became afraid due to his infatuation.
However, due to the inability to serve Branham with the papers, the Superior Court of California was compelled to reverse Johansson's restraining order on a technicality, per Daily Mail.
Court dismissed Scarlett Johansson's plea for restraining order
According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Johansson claimed the obsessed admirer, who thinks he is the father of one of her two children, has been harassing her for more than a year.
Johansson's lawyer Michael Goldstein acknowledged that he had failed to bring the offender to justice. Consequently, all temporary restraining orders, if any, were also dissolved and his client's request for a restraining order was denied on this technicality.
This latest development occurred five months after the 'Black Widow' star asked for a restraining order in November 2023. She claimed at the time that she needed protection from a man named Michael Joseph Branham, especially for her children.
Johansson claimed that Branham has been pursuing her since August 2022 and that she sought a restraining order as a result of his growing obsession.
Enamored fan allegedly followed Scarlett Johansson's neighbor, thinking it was her
Meanwhile, Johansson claimed that the stalking intensified and Branham began to regularly show up outside her house. He allegedly started a pattern of harassment against her on "November 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19."
On November 19, 2023, Branham tracked one of the actress' neighbors for more than 30 miles, believing it was Johansson, and got in touch with them when they arrived. Her neighbor was scared about the situation and told her assistant about it.
Johansson emphasized in her rejected restraining order that this incident gave her "significant fear and concern" for her family's safety.
"Respondent's ongoing and escalating pattern of harassment combined with his determination and ability to travel has created heightened safety concerns given several upcoming public events that I will be attending," the filing stated.
Michael Joseph Branham contends he fathered Scarlett Johansson's son
Branham is charged with persistently attempting to get in touch with Johansson's son Cosmo because Branham believes he is Cosmo's biological father. Johansson and comedian Colin Jost welcomed their son Cosmo in 2021.
The outrageous accusation dates back to when Johansson reportedly hired private investigator Jon Perkins when Branham allegedly started showing up at her Los Angeles property.
It was his responsibility to look into Branham's behavior of late, which included placing several notes and kid's toys outside Johansson's house.
"Here I am and where I'll be forever," was the menacing message on pictures that Branham had posted online, said Perkins.
According to the notes Branham wrote, the stalker also mentioned how much he wanted to meet Cosmo and spend time with him like a father.
Perkins stated that Branham wanted Johansson to send him money and pleaded for her pardon after he began stealing owing to his financial problems.
Johansson is by no means the first famous person to struggle with devoted followers; singer Taylor Swift is a frequent target of infatuated fans.
Alleged stalker Mitchel Taebel, 36, of Indiana, was taken into custody in May 2023 after making several appearances at Swift's Nashville residence.
