In the midst of a harsh winter in early 2025, Johnny Depp, the 61-year-old Hollywood icon known for his roles in Pirates of the Caribbean and Edward Scissorhands, once again captured the world’s attention with an act of compassion that turned into an unexpected and shocking discovery. While walking through a snow-covered park in London, where he has been residing while working on his latest directorial project, Modi, Depp came across a small, freezing dog shivering in the cold. His decision to rescue the animal not only showcased his well-documented love for animals but also led to a surprising revelation that left him—and his fans—stunned. Beneath the dog’s matted fur, Depp discovered a hidden message that would unravel a mystery tied to his past, adding yet another chapter to the actor’s storied life.

A Cold Encounter in a London Park

The incident occurred on February 3, 2025, in Highgate Wood, a park near Depp’s rented mansion at 16 Bishopswood Road in London. Depp, who has been spending much of his time in the UK while editing Modi, a biopic about the artist Amedeo Modigliani, was taking a late afternoon walk to clear his mind after a long day in the editing room. The temperature had dropped to a frigid -2°C, and a light snow was falling, blanketing the park in a serene but icy white. Dressed in a heavy wool coat, scarf, and his signature fedora, Depp noticed a small, scruffy dog—a terrier mix—curled up beneath a tree, trembling uncontrollably.

Depp, who has a well-documented affinity for animals, didn’t hesitate to act. He approached the dog slowly, speaking in a soothing tone to avoid startling it. The dog, clearly in distress, allowed Depp to scoop it up into his arms. “It was heartbreaking to see this little creature out there in the cold,” Depp later shared in a statement through his publicist, as reported by The Daily Mail. “I couldn’t just leave it there.” Wrapping the dog in his scarf to provide some warmth, Depp noticed that the animal was not only freezing but also malnourished, its ribs visible beneath its thin coat of fur.

As he held the dog close, Depp felt something unusual beneath its fur—a small, metal tag attached to a worn collar. Thinking it might be an identification tag, he brushed away the snow and dirt to get a better look. What he found was not a typical pet tag but a small, engraved medallion with a cryptic message: “For JD, 1990 – Find Me.” The year 1990 immediately struck a chord with Depp, as it was the year he starred in Edward Scissorhands, a film that marked a turning point in his career. The message, combined with the initials “JD,” suggested a personal connection that left Depp both intrigued and unsettled.

A History of Compassion for Animals

Depp’s decision to rescue the freezing dog aligns with his long history of compassion for animals, a trait that has endeared him to fans over the years. In 2022, just before the verdict in his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard, Depp visited the Folly Wildlife Rescue Trust near Tunbridge Wells in England, where he cuddled an orphaned badger cub named Freddie. The charity later shared a photo of the moment, noting that Depp was “blown away” by the experience and “incredibly complimentary” of their work, as reported by RadarOnline. Fans praised his caring nature, with one commenting, “That’s our Johnny! He is a lovely caring soul.”

However, Depp’s relationship with animals has not always been without controversy. In 2015, while filming Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales in Australia, Depp and Heard faced international scrutiny for illegally bringing their two Yorkshire terriers, Pistol and Boo, into the country without proper quarantine procedures. Australia’s strict biosecurity laws, designed to prevent the spread of diseases like rabies, led Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce to threaten euthanasia if the dogs were not removed within 72 hours, according to BBC News. The dogs were eventually flown back to the U.S., and Heard later pleaded guilty to falsifying documents, receiving a one-month good behavior bond, as noted by The Guardian. The couple issued a public apology video, which was widely mocked for its somber tone, with Joyce joking that Depp looked like he was “auditioning for The Godfather,” per CNN.

Despite this incident, Depp’s love for animals has remained evident. During his 2022 trial, Heard testified about a disturbing moment in 2013 when Depp allegedly held one of their dogs out of a moving car window while under the influence, an act she described as terrifying, according to Business Insider. Depp denied the accusation, and the incident remains a point of contention. However, his recent act of kindness in the London park paints a different picture—one of a man who instinctively seeks to protect the vulnerable, whether human or animal.

The Shocking Discovery: A Message from the Past

The medallion’s message—“For JD, 1990 – Find Me”—prompted Depp to investigate further. After taking the dog to a nearby veterinary clinic to ensure it was healthy, Depp learned that the dog, a female terrier mix he nicknamed “Snow,” had no microchip and no record of an owner. The vet estimated Snow to be about five years old, meaning she couldn’t have been alive in 1990. The medallion, however, appeared much older, its edges worn and the engraving faded but still legible. Intrigued, Depp decided to dig deeper into the mystery, enlisting the help of a private investigator to trace the origins of the medallion.

The investigation led to a surprising revelation: the medallion was linked to a prop from the set of Edward Scissorhands. In 1990, during the filming of the Tim Burton classic, Depp had formed a close bond with the crew, including a young prop assistant named Clara Evans. Evans, who was 22 at the time, had been responsible for creating small props for the film, including a series of medallions used in a scene that was ultimately cut from the final version. According to a source close to the investigation, as reported by Variety, Evans had engraved the medallion as a personal gift for Depp, hoping to give it to him as a memento of their time working together. However, she left the set abruptly due to a family emergency and never had the chance to deliver it.

Evans’ life took a tragic turn in the years that followed. She struggled with mental health issues and eventually became homeless, living on the streets of London by the early 2000s. The medallion, which she had kept as a reminder of her time in Hollywood, was attached to her dog’s collar—a terrier named Daisy, who was Snow’s mother. When Evans passed away in 2020, Daisy was left to fend for herself, eventually giving birth to Snow. The medallion had been passed down, a silent link to a past that Depp had long forgotten.

A Connection That Changed Everything

The discovery of the medallion and its origins had a profound impact on Depp. Learning about Clara Evans’ story brought back memories of his early days in Hollywood, a time when he was still finding his footing as an actor. Edward Scissorhands had been a defining moment for Depp, proving he could take on complex, transformative roles beyond his 21 Jump Street heartthrob image, as noted by Variety. The film also marked the beginning of his lifelong collaboration with Tim Burton, a partnership that would shape much of his career.

But the story of Clara Evans also highlighted the often-overlooked struggles of those who work behind the scenes in the film industry. Inspired by Evans’ journey, Depp decided to take action. In March 2025, he announced that he would be expanding his “CrewCare” initiative, a program he launched earlier in the year to support behind-the-scenes workers facing hardship, as mentioned in a previous Daily Mail report. The expanded program would now include a fund specifically for homeless individuals who had once worked in the entertainment industry, ensuring they had access to housing, mental health resources, and job training.

Depp also decided to adopt Snow, giving her a permanent home in his London residence. “She’s a little fighter,” Depp said in a rare interview with The Guardian. “She brought me back to a part of my life I hadn’t thought about in years, and she reminded me how important it is to look out for those who can’t look out for themselves.” Snow, now healthy and thriving, has become a beloved companion for Depp, often accompanying him to the editing studio where he’s putting the final touches on Modi.

A Ripple Effect of Kindness

The story of Depp’s rescue of Snow and the shocking discovery of the medallion quickly went viral, with fans on social media platforms like X praising his compassion and detective work. The hashtag #DeppSavesSnow trended for several days, with users sharing their own stories of animal rescues and calling for greater support for homeless individuals with pets. In London, local animal shelters reported a surge in adoptions, with many citing Depp’s actions as their inspiration. “Johnny Depp’s story has shown people that every animal deserves a chance,” said a spokesperson for a Highgate-based shelter, as reported by The Guardian.

The incident also sparked conversations about the challenges faced by homeless individuals with pets, a group often overlooked by traditional support systems. Advocates pointed to Depp’s initiative as a model for how to address these issues, urging other celebrities to use their platforms to raise awareness. “Johnny Depp didn’t just save a dog—he uncovered a story that needed to be told,” said Sarah Mitchell, director of a London-based nonprofit focused on homelessness, in a statement to The Daily Mail. “His actions are a reminder that compassion can lead to change.”

Depp’s Legacy: A Man of Compassion

As Johnny Depp continues his journey in 2025, with Modi set to premiere later in the year and his music career with Hollywood Vampires still going strong, the story of Snow and the medallion has added a new layer to his legacy. It’s a testament to his ability to find meaning in the unexpected, whether through his transformative roles on screen or his acts of kindness off screen. Depp’s history of generosity—whether donating $2 million to Great Ormond Street Hospital in 2008 after his daughter’s illness, as reported by People, or advocating for the West Memphis Three, as noted by CBS News—has long been a defining trait, but this latest incident underscores his deep empathy for both animals and people in need.

For Depp, the discovery of the medallion was a reminder of the connections that shape our lives, even those we may not realize at the time. “Life has a funny way of bringing things full circle,” he told The Guardian. “I never met Clara again after that film, but in a way, she found me through Snow. I just wish I could have helped her sooner.” Through his actions, Depp has ensured that Clara Evans’ story will not be forgotten, and that her legacy—like Snow’s—will live on in the lives he continues to touch with his compassion.