18/08/2025
Johnny Depp and a one-eyed horse named Goldeneye.
What Happened to Johnny Depp’s Horse Goldeneye? The One-Eyed Star We’ll Never Forget
In 1999, Johnny Depp walked off the set of Sleepy Hollow with more than just a lead role. He walked away with a one-eyed horse named Goldeneye.
The Andalusian gelding, known as “Gunpowder” in the film, was bound for euthanasia after production wrapped. But Depp, drawn to underdogs and misfits both on-screen and off, couldn’t let that happen. He adopted Goldeneye on the spot. The horse found a home on Depp’s 41-acre Kentucky farm, a sanctuary named after his late mother: Betty Sue’s Family Farm.
For years, Goldeneye lived out his days on that bluegrass pasture surrounded by rolling hills, white fences, and the quiet life away from Hollywood flashbulbs. The story of their bond made headlines and melted hearts. A movie star saving a movie horse? It doesn’t get better than that.
But in 2020, Johnny Depp quietly sold the farm for $1.35 million. And ever since, the fate of Goldeneye has remained a mystery.
No public record. No Instagram update. No fan tweet. Nothing.
Did he sell the horse with the property? Did Goldeneye pass away peacefully before the sale, having reached an advanced age? Or was he relocated to another of Depp’s estates, perhaps his island in the Bahamas or a ranch far from public view?
We may never know for sure. But here’s what we do know:
• Goldeneye was already an adult when adopted in 1999, making him at least 21 by 2020. That’s near the upper end of a horse’s typical lifespan.
• Depp was known to be deeply attached to him. The idea of simply leaving him behind seems out of character.
• No credible reports place Goldeneye anywhere after 2020.
In a world where horses are often bought, sold, or discarded like equipment, Goldeneye stood out. He was a living reminder of compassion in the film industry. And while the silence surrounding his fate may suggest a quiet passing, it also reflects the privacy Depp has always maintained about those he loves—human or horse.
So here’s to Goldeneye. To the one-eyed horse who stole the show and Johnny Depp’s heart.
If you know more about his story, or have a photo or memory to share, drop it in the comments. Let’s keep his legacy alive, one horse-loving heart at a time. 🐴💔
