Traci Lords on Johnny Depp, a Hotel Room Key, and the Rumor That Wasn’t

Every Hollywood rumor starts somewhere. This one started with a hotel room key and a stack of homework.

During Episode 13 of The Bundy Breakdown, a Bundy Club member went straight for the jugular and asked Traci Lords the question everybody wanted answered: did Johnny Depp hit on her? Traci, ever the pro, did not take the bait. “I wouldn’t call it that,” she said, which is exactly what someone with a great story says.

David Faustino jumped in too, because of course he did, and asked whether maybe she hit on him. Traci laughed it off, called Johnny a terrific person, and then finally gave up the goods, the same story she tells in her memoir. Yes, Johnny gave her the key to his room. No, it was not what everyone assumed.

Here is the real story. Director John Waters had given Traci a pile of movies to study, cult classics and old Ann-Margret films, and Johnny happened to be the one with the player in his room. So Traci spent the night watching a 1965 Russ Meyer cult classic for homework. That is how the rumors began. Scandalous, right?

David, never one to miss a chance to name drop, made sure everyone knew Ann-Margret once played his mom. Traci also pointed out that Johnny was very much dating Winona Ryder at the time, and that he was always very, very sweet. “We had a lovely time together,” she said. “That’s all I’m gonna say.”

Honestly, it is the most wholesome hotel room story in Hollywood history, and it is told by one of the most fun guests we have ever had on a Bundy Club Zoom. Traci was warm, quick, and completely game for whatever our hosts threw at her.

Want more moments like this one? Bundy Club members get the full Bundy Breakdown episodes, live Zooms with Married… with Children cast and guests, and plenty of behind the scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Pull up a seat on the couch and join the fun.