Depardieu no-show at drunk driving hearing

French film star Gerard Depardieu, seen here walking the red carpet in Switzerland on Monday (January 7), failed to show up for a court hearing in Paris a day later.

The actor faces charges over a drunk driving incident that occurred while he was riding his scooter in Paris in November.

His lawyer said Tuesday (January 8) the judge denied a request to reschedule the hearing, saying Depardieu should not get special treatment.

The actor made headlines last week when Russian President Vladmir Putin granted him citizenship there after a tax row in his home country.

Depardieu objects to French President Francois Hollande's plan to impose a hefty tax on euro millionaires.

He put his 20-room Paris mansion up for sale in December, saying he was handing in his passport and social security card and recently bought a house in Belgium.