Johnny Depp is given gold medal of merit by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic

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Johnny Depp was awarded with a Gold Medal of Merit by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic during a ceremony honoring Serbian Statehood Day in Belgrade, Serbia on Tuesday.The 58-year-old actor was presented with the honors for his '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,' Vucic said, according to the outlet Balkan Insight.Depp responded, '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 latest:Johnny Depp, 58, was awarded with a Gold Medal of Merit by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic during a ceremony honoring Serbian Statehood Day in Belgrade, Serbia on TuesdayHe said that was was 'right now on the verge of a new life' in moving through tumultuous times, and hoping the event was the launch of good things to come.'I like a re-beginning, and I would love for that beginning to start here,' he said.

The Kentucky-born actor - who has been involved with a number of projects out of the country as of late, including the 2020 film Minimata and the animated show Puffins - said receiving the medal marked 'an extremely proud moment' in his life.The actor, who's also known for playing Edward Scissorhands as well as Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, said last fall at the San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain that he's been the victim of 'cancel culture, or this instant rush to judgment' in the entertainment industry since he was accused of domestic violence by ex-wife Amber Heard in 2016.