Scarlett Johansson is denied restraining order against obsessed fan who believes he fathered one of her two children
Scarlet Johansson has seen her restraining order against an obsessed fan who claims to have fathered her son dismissed by a judge.
The actress, 39, has filed a complaint against her stalker, named by The explosion as Michael Joseph Branham, in November 2023 after his crush terrified her family.
But the California Supreme Court was forced to dismiss her restraining order on a technicality, as the papers could not be served on Branham.
Johansson’s attorney, Michael Goldstein, confirmed that he was unable to grant the unhinged fan the restraining order, meaning all temporary restraining orders were also dissolved.
Johansson claims she has been targeted by Branham since August 2022, claiming his fixation escalated until she filed the restraining order.
Scarlet Johansson has seen her restraining order against an alleged stalker dismissed, despite saying his obsessive actions have left her family terrified
According to the actress, the stalking grew during that time until Branham began appearing outside her home, noting in her complaint that this included trips on “November 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.”
On November 19, she claims Branham followed one of her neighbors for more than 30 miles, thinking it was Johansson behind the wheel.
When the neighbor realized what had happened, they reported it to the actress’s assistant, as they were afraid of the stalker’s behavior.
In her dismissed restraining order, Johansson said the incident caused her and her family “significant fear and anxiety.”
“Defendant’s continued and escalating pattern of harassment, combined with his determination and ability to travel, has created increased security concerns given the several upcoming public events I will be attending,” the filing continued.
Most alarmingly, Branham is accused of obsessively trying to reach Johansson’s son Cosmo, thinking he is his biological father. Johansson welcomed the child in 2021 with comedian Colin Jost.
The wild accusation stems from when Branham reportedly showed up at Johansson’s Los Angeles mansion, prompting the actress to hire private investigator Jon Perkins.
Johansson, pictured in a secret outfit on the streets of New York City in March 2023, said her stalker’s antics caused her and her family “significant fear and anxiety.”
The stalker claimed to be the biological father of Johansson’s son Cosmo, whom she welcomed in 2021 with her husband, comedian Colin Jost (pictured together)
He was tasked with investigating Branham’s recent behavior, which included leaving a number of letters and children’s toys outside Johansson’s mansion.
Perkins told The Blast that he found footage that Branham had shared online from outside, with the ominous caption: “Here I am and where I will forever be.”
In the notes he left behind, the stalker also allegedly expressed his desire to meet Cosmo and spend time with him as his father.
Branham had claimed he needed Johansson to send him money, and asked her forgiveness after he started stealing because of his financial problems, Perkins said.
Johansson is far from the only celebrity to deal with obsessive fans, with singer Taylor Swift a particularly popular target for unsavory supporters.
In January, a Swift obsessive was arrested on the streets of Manhattan after a failed attempt to enter her apartment building.
The man, identified locally as “David,” was arrested on an outstanding warrant for failing to respond to a summons, and had previously been seen lurking outside the Tribeca apartment in other failed attempts.
Johansson is far from the only celebrity to deal with obsessive fans, with singer Taylor Swift (pictured) a particularly popular target for unsavory supporters
An alleged stalker was arrested in January after trying to break into Taylor Swift’s Manhattan apartment
Swift’s home in Manhattan’s TriBeCa neighborhood has become a gathering place for her most ardent fans, who often camp out in hopes of catching a glimpse of their favorite artist.
In May 2023, alleged stalker Mitchel Taebel, 36, of Indiana, was arrested after visiting Swift’s Nashville home following a series of bizarre antics.
Police said he sent photos of guns to members of Swift’s team threatening to “destroy them,” before leaving a message with the singer’s father saying he was her “soulmate” and “he’s the only is who can keep her safe.’
In March, Taebel posted a bizarre TikTok video urging other Taylor Swift fans to prepare for the Eras tour by “staying one step ahead of Taylor wherever she goes… watch her every move.”
In July 2022, ‘Swift mania’ also saw Brooklyn resident Joshua Christian fly into a courtroom rage after he was caught trying to sneak into the same TriBeCa apartment and hurl threats over the intercom.
Standing in front of the judge, he started shouting, “Are you all the biggest jokers in history or are you really real? Prove that you are real. Prove you’re real.’
Swift’s megastar status has attracted a host of unsavory supporters, including Mitchel Taebel (left) and Joshua Christian (right)
In September 2020, stalker Eric Swarbrick (pictured) was sentenced to 30 months in prison after pleading guilty to tracking and sending threatening letters to Swift
Swift’s home in Manhattan’s TriBeCa neighborhood has become a gathering place for her most ardent fans, who often camp out in hopes of catching a glimpse of their favorite artist
The manic support that Swift evokes also caused Texas resident Eric Swarbrick to plead guilty in September 2020 to stalking and sending threatening letters and emails to her record label.
He was sentenced to 30 months behind bars after allegedly sending more than 40 letters and emails to Big Machine Label Group in January 2018.
In 2021, Swift opened up about her growing fear of stalkers and creepy fans Elle: ‘My fear of violence has permeated my personal life.
“I wear military-grade QuikClot bandages, which are for gunshot or stab wounds… you get enough stalkers trying to break into your house and you kind of start to prepare yourself for bad things to happen.”