"I'm going to read this thing," he continued, determinedly staring at the autocue, before going off piste in a rambling speech paying tribute to Mr Gordon.
Apparently slurring and swaying on the podium, Depp said: "For decades Shep Gordon has been one of the most beloved and respected talent managers in the music industry, he is also the current star and subject of the documentary Supermensch... because he is a mensch.
"I've been very, very lucky to have him in my life. He is someone I consider a great friend, an incredibly loyal friend...so you have to watch the film!
"Yeah, there you go. What does that say?"
After another blanked out swearword, he finished with the admission "it's one of those nights".
Among those in the audience were Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Eddie Redmayne and Jack O'Connell, who all won awards.
Ben Affleck collected the top award for Hollywood Film for the movie Gone Girl.
Depp, who is engaged to 28-year-old actress Amber Heard, told Rolling Stone last year that he had been sober for a year-and-a-half.
"I just decided that I pretty much got everything I could get out of it," he said, emphasising he has never been an alcoholic.
"I investigated wine and spirits thoroughly, and they certainly investigated me as well, and we found out that we got along beautifully, but maybe too well."
Depp's appearance at the Hollywood Film Awards sparked a flurry of excitement on Twitter, with some people calling it "embarrassing", while others said their respect for the Edward Scissorhands and Pirates of the Caribbean star.
Even Piers Morgan stuck the boot in, tweeting: "Is it just me that thinks Johnny Depp's a complete dickhead?"
- Independent, Additional reporting by AP
