American actor Robert Downey Jr. is an extraordinary, charismatic, and eccentric personality. He got his start in films at just five years old and went on to build a successful career, earning the praise of audiences, critics, and numerous prestigious awards. At the same time, Downey Jr. was a frequent subject of tabloid headlines and faced some difficult times. Learn more about his life and creative journey on newyorkski.info.
Early Life and Family
Robert Downey Jr. was born in New York on April 4, 1965. His father was producer, director, and actor Robert Downey, and his mother was Elsie Ford. He also has an older sister. Because of his father’s profession, Robert was immersed in the world of acting from an early age. He appeared in the film Pound at age five and later studied classical ballet. Downey Jr. attended the Stagedoor Manor performing arts center in New York.
In 1978, his parents got divorced. The young man initially moved to California with his father. However, he soon realized that New York was the place for him to grow and returned to the city.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Acting Career
At age 20, Robert Downey Jr. began appearing on television. He was cast on the show Saturday Night Live. His time on the show convinced him of his acting abilities, so he headed to Hollywood in search of film roles. He first appeared on the big screen in the 1983 melodrama Baby It’s You. Four years later, Downey Jr. landed the lead role in the comedy The Pick-up Artist. The same year, the drama Less Than Zero was released, which became his first real success.
In 1992, the actor took on the role of Charlie Chaplin in the biopic Chaplin. For this performance, he won a BAFTA and was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe. Downey Jr. would later win a Golden Globe for his supporting role in the TV series Ally McBeal. Most of the actor’s subsequent roles were well-received by critics and audiences:
- In 1999, he gave a powerful performance as a gay man in the drama Black and White.
- The 2005 black comedy Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was a hit.
- He co-starred with Nicole Kidman in the 2006 film Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus.
- In the 2014 film The Judge, he not only played a lead role but also served as an executive producer.
In 2020, Robert Downey Jr. starred in the fantasy film Dolittle, replacing his colleague Eddie Murphy, who had starred in the earlier films of the series. The film, with a budget of $175 million, grossed $250 million at the box office and became the seventh highest-grossing film of the year. In 2021, the actor’s father, who had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease, passed away. Chris Smith directed a documentary about their relationship, Sr., which premiered in 2022.
Globally Renowned Films
In addition to the films mentioned above, some roles brought the actor global fame and popularity. He played Sherlock Holmes in two of Guy Ritchie’s films (2009 and 2011). The detective action films were not a direct adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous works but were very successful. The first film received several Oscar nominations, and Robert Downey Jr. won a Golden Globe for Best Actor. The second film was also a success. A third installment was planned but was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. Later, Guy Ritchie stepped away from the project, and its fate remains unknown.
A massive wave of popularity came for Robert Downey Jr. after he took on the role of Tony Stark in the Iron Man franchise. He also played the character in the Avengers films. His smart and charming character is one of the most beloved in the Marvel universe. To prepare for the role, the actor worked with a personal trainer and gained 22 pounds of muscle. After the first film’s release in 2008, Downey Jr. was a constant presence on the covers of movie magazines. He also traveled around the world to promote the films, co-starring with Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Holland, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Mickey Rourke.
In 2019, the latest installment of the franchise, Avengers: Endgame, was released. It grossed over $2.8 billion worldwide, and Robert Downey Jr. was honored with a Disney Legend award. Another notable project in recent years was the actor’s role in the 2023 biographical drama Oppenheimer. The film received 13 Oscar nominations, and Downey Jr. won his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Drug Addiction and Other Life Challenges
For a long time, Robert Downey Jr. was known as a troublemaker, alcoholic, and drug addict. He was allegedly first introduced to drugs by his father at the age of six. After his acting career began, he was repeatedly in trouble due to drug use. He was arrested for speeding while naked, breaking into a neighbor’s house and falling asleep, and illegal possession of a weapon. In 1999, his drug abuse finally led to a three-year prison sentence. The actor spent a year in jail but was arrested again for drug possession in 2000. At that point, his career was in jeopardy. Downey Jr. disappeared from the screen for three years.
Mel Gibson helped him get back on his feet. Gibson paid for the actor’s insurance and cast him in the lead role of the film The Singing Detective. Downey Jr. also completed a special treatment program and has not returned to his old habits since.
The Famous Actor’s Personal Life
In 1984, Robert Downey Jr. met actress Sarah Jessica Parker while filming Firstborn. Their seven-year relationship was constantly covered by the press, but it never led to marriage due to his drug use. In 1992, Downey Jr. married Deborah Falconer. Their son was born the following year, but his wife couldn’t handle his lifestyle and decided to get a divorce. It was only in his second marriage, in 2005, that the actor managed to turn his life around. For the sake of his wife, producer Susan Levin, he overcame his addictions and revitalized his acting career. The couple has a son and a daughter.
In the 2000s, Robert Downey Jr. became one of the highest-paid actors in the world. The incredible success of Iron Man and The Avengers boosted his net worth to over $300 million. Despite his wealth, the actor has a philosophical view on money. He loves giving gifts and, with his wife, created the Random Act Funding organization to support charitable causes. In 2025, the famous actor celebrated his 60th birthday. That same year, the film Fantastic Four: First Steps was released. Downey Jr. has earned the recognition of audiences and critics alike, and he’s not afraid to experiment with provocative and controversial roles. In 2024, the series The Sympathizer, based on a novel by an American writer of Vietnamese descent, premiered. The actor continues to work in film, and the press no longer expects any wild antics from him. Robert Downey Jr. found his path and managed to fully unlock his talent despite all the difficulties he had to overcome.