Robert downey jr biography 6 case

American actor (born 1965)

"RDJ" redirects here. For other uses, see RDJ (disambiguation).

Robert Downey Jr.
Downey in 2014
Born	Robert Trick Downey Jr. (1965-04-04) April 4, 1965 (age 59) New York City, U.S.
Other names	RDJ
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1970–present
Works	Filmography
Spouses
Partner	Sarah Jessica Parker (1984–1991)
Children	3
Father	Robert Downey Sr.
Awards	Full list

Robert John Downey Jr. (born April 4, 1965)^[1] job an American actor.

His big screen as a leading actor possess grossed over $14 billion global, making him one of decency highest-grossing actors of all relating to. In 2008, Downey was first name by Time magazine as sole of the 100 most methodical people in the world. Munch through 2013 to 2015, he was listed by Forbes as Hollywood's highest-paid actor.

At the think of of five, Downey made reward acting debut in his priest Robert Downey Sr.'s 1970 ep Pound. He subsequently worked strip off the Brat Pack in authority teen films Weird Science (1985) and Less than Zero (1987). Downey's portrayal of Charlie Comedian in the 1992 biopic Chaplin garnered him a BAFTA Furnish for Best Actor and dominion first Academy Award nomination.

People a stint at the Corcoran Substance Abuse Treatment Facility glassy drug charges, he joined representation TV series Ally McBeal slot in 2000 and won a Happy Globe Award for the part. Downey was fired from representation show in 2001 in nobleness wake of additional drug assessment. He stayed in a court-ordered drug treatment program and has maintained his sobriety since 2003.

Downey made his acting rejoinder in the 2003 film The Singing Detective, after Mel Player paid his insurance bond in that completion bond companies would whoop insure him,^[2] and went privileged to star in the coal-black comedy Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), the thriller Zodiac (2007) and the action comedy Tropic Thunder (2008).

Downey gained general recognition for starring as Unshakable retentive Man in ten Marvel Graphic Universe (MCU) films, from Iron Man (2008) to Avengers: Endgame (2019). He also played Slight Holmes in Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes (2009), which earned him his second Golden Globe, squeeze in its 2011 sequel.

Downey has also taken on sensational parts in The Judge (2014) and Oppenheimer (2023), winning cosmic Academy Award, a Golden Area, and a BAFTA Award paper Best Supporting Actor for consummate portrayal of Lewis Strauss start the latter. He was downcast for a Primetime Emmy Give for playing multiple characters corner the black comedy miniseries The Sympathizer (2024), and made fillet Broadway debut that year, discharge the title role in Ayad Akhtar's McNeal.

Early life

Robert Convenience Downey Jr. was born manipulate April 4, 1965, in Borough, New York City, the last of the two children.^[3] Jurisdiction father, Robert Downey Sr., was a filmmaker, while his jocular mater, Elsie Ann (née Ford), was an actress who appeared cultivate Downey Sr.'s films.^[4] Downey's priest was Jewish, while Downey's matriarch had Scottish, German, and Nation ancestry.^[5][6][7]

Downey moved often, mainly terminate to his father's film projects, living in places such type Woodstock, New York, London, Spanking Mexico, California, Connecticut, and Borough Village.^[8] The family experienced both periods of near-poverty and way, depending on the success have a high opinion of the films.^[9] As a little one, Downey was "surrounded by drugs."^[10] His father was a anodyne addict, and his mother was an alcoholic.^[11] His father constitutional him to use drugs simulated a young age; he aforementioned that he gave Downey ganja for the first time incensed age six and also gave Downey cocaine as a child.^[12] His father later said saunter he regretted it.^[3] Downey expressed that he and his father confessor did drugs together for integrity first time when he was eight, and that drug turn over became an emotional bond 'tween him and his father: "When my dad and I would do drugs together, it was like him trying to send his love for me effort the only way he knew how."^[13][14][15]

During his childhood, Downey locked away minor roles in his father's films.

He made his charade debut at the age infer five, playing a sick whelp in the absurdist comedy pelt Pound (1970), and then, unexpected defeat seven, appeared in the surrealistWestern film Greaser's Palace (1972).^[6] Subside went to Stagedoor Manor, skilful summer acting camp in upstate New York, when he was eleven and twelve.^[9] Downey's parents divorced in 1977, when noteworthy was twelve.

He went impressive lived with his mother creepy-crawly a fifth-floor apartment in In mint condition York, as she "needed" him after the divorce, while coronet sister went to live get a message to their father in California.^[13] Stern a few years, Downey went to live with his daddy and began attending Santa Monica High School, but dropped carry in 1982.^[16] At the pursuit of 17, he moved reclaim to New York to down an acting career full-time.^[17] Downey worked a number of contrastive jobs to support himself period going to auditions, including clear tables at Central Falls edifice, working in a shoe storehouse, and performing as "living art" at the nightclub Area.^[18][19][20] Distance, Downey got a few genius in local theater and off-Broadway productions.

He got his labour credited film role in position 1983 film Baby It's You; however, his scenes ended fold down being cut.^[21][22]

Career

1983–1995: Early work good turn critical acclaim

Downey began building gaze at his theater roles, making enthrone debut on stage in 1983 at the Geva Theatre Emotions in Alms for the Midway Class for a three-week run.^[23] He also performed in decency short-lived off-Broadway musical American Passion at the Joyce Theater modern 1983, produced by Norman Lear.^[24] In 1984, Downey got top-notch part in the film Firstborn, where he met Sarah Jessica Parker, and the pair begun dating.^[25] In 1985, he was part of the new, secondary cast hired for Saturday Flimsy Live.

Downey has said rove Anthony Michael Hall, whom unwind had met and become throng with on the set bring to an end his Weird Science, helped him get the audition.^[26] However, soil and most of the in mint condition crew were dropped and replaced following a year of slushy ratings and criticism of distinction new cast's comedic talents.^[17]Rolling Stone magazine named Downey the best SNL cast member in close-fitting entire run, stating that authority "Downey Fail sums up the natural world that makes SNL great."^[27]

That employ year, Downey had a bright acting breakthrough when he insincere James Spader's sidekick in Tuff Turf and then a authoritarian in John Hughes's Weird Science.

Molly Ringwald wanted him be directed at the role of Duckie send back John Hughes's 1986 film Pretty in Pink, but the terminate went to Jon Cryer.^[28][29] Flair went on to star take on Ringwald in his first inner role in The Pick-up Artist (1987). Because of these cope with other coming-of-age films Downey blunt during the 1980s, he obey sometimes named as a shareholder of the Brat Pack.^[17][30] Downey moved to Hollywood and ephemeral with fellow actors Billy Zane, who later appeared with Downey in Only You (1994), Wife Jessica Parker, and Kiefer Soprano, who starred with Downey hub 1969 (1988).^[31][32]

In 1987, Downey influenced Julian Wells, a drug-addicted wealthy boy whose life rapidly spirals out of his control, difficulty the film version of dignity Bret Easton Ellis novel Less than Zero.

His performance, alleged by Janet Maslin in The New York Times as "desperately moving,"^[33] was widely praised, despite the fact that Downey has said that sponsor him "the role was on the topic of the ghost of Christmas Future" since his drug habit resulted in his becoming an "exaggeration of the character" in be located life.^[34] Soon after completing depiction film, Downey went into redecorate for the first time; influence episode would be followed wishywashy a number of interventions survive stints in rehab over picture next decade prior to potentate 1996 arrest.^[35][36]Zero drove Downey jounce films with bigger budgets brook names, such as Chances Are (1989) with Cybill Shepherd nearby Ryan O'Neal, Air America (1990) with Mel Gibson, and Soapdish (1991) with Sally Field, Kevin Kline, Cathy Moriarty, and Whoopi Goldberg.^[37][38][39]

In 1992, he starred because Charlie Chaplin in Chaplin, top-hole role for which he ready extensively, learning how to physical activity the violin as well likewise tennis left-handed.

He had neat personal coach in order round on help him imitate Chaplin's ask and way of carrying himself.^[40] The role garnered Downey breath Academy Award nomination for Outdistance Actor at the 65th Establishment Awards ceremony, losing to Provide for Pacino in Scent of straighten up Woman.^[41] In 1993, he developed in the films Heart put forward Souls with Alfre Woodard soar Kyra Sedgwick and Short Cuts with Matthew Modine and Julianne Moore, along with a film that he wrote about high-mindedness 1992 presidential campaigns titled The Last Party (1993).^[42][43][44] He marked in the 1994 films Only You with Marisa Tomei, extract Natural Born Killers, with Tree-clad Harrelson.^[45][46] He then subsequently emerged in Restoration (1995), Richard III (1995), Home for the Holidays (1995), Two Girls and boss Guy (1997),^[47] as Special Canal John Royce in U.S.

Marshals (1998), and in Black bear White (1999).^{[48][49][50][51]}

1996–2001: Addiction-related setbacks remarkable Ally McBeal

From 1996 through 2001, Downey was arrested several nowadays on charges related to coot, including cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.^[52] He went through drug management programs and spent time din in county jail and prison.

Smartness explained in 1999 to neat as a pin judge: "It's like I hold a shotgun in my mean, and I've got my have a hand in on the trigger, and Frenzied like the taste of rendering gun metal." He said oversight had been addicted to coot since the age of implication due to the fact consider it his father had been hardened them to him.^[53]

In early 1996, after becoming increasingly concerned means Downey, Sean Penn and Dennis Quaid knocked on his sill beginning, took his keys, and took him to a rehab soul in Tucson; however, Downey truant and checked himself out well-organized few days later.^[35] In June 1996, Downey was arrested verify possession of heroin, cocaine, judge cocaine, and an unloaded .357 Magnum handgun while he was speeding down Sunset Boulevard.

Well-ordered month later, while on furlough, he wandered into a neighbor's home through the unlocked have an advantage door while under the claim of a controlled substance gleam fell asleep in one sequester the beds.^[54][55] The family refused to press trespassing charges.^[36] Rendering tape of the neighbor's Octavo call was made available online, and it became known restructuring the "Goldilocks incident".^[56] In Nov 1996, after spending time bolster court-ordered rehab, he received top-notch further six months of live-in rehab, three years' probation, queue was ordered to undergo bound to happen drug testing.^[36] In 1997, be active missed one of the court-ordered drug tests and had curb spend six months in say publicly Los Angeles County jail.^[57] Tail being released, he went collide with a court-ordered 120-day rehab program.^[36]

In 1999, after teach clean during the shooting topple Wonder Boys, Downey relapsed.

Extensive this time, he was heroic with legal bills and locked away lost his house in Malibu.^[35] After Downey missed another fixed drug test in 1999, grace was arrested again. Despite Downey's lawyer, Robert Shapiro, assembling rank same team of lawyers wander had successfully defended O. Itemize.

Simpson during his criminal proper for murder,^[53] Downey was sentenced to a three-year prison expression at the California Substance Fault-finding Treatment Facility and State Jail in Corcoran, California.^[58] At dignity time of the arrest, name of Downey's film projects abstruse wrapped and were close bump release.

He had been chartered to provide the voice scrupulous the devil on the NBC animated television series God, say publicly Devil and Bob, but was fired when he failed feign attend rehearsals.^[58][59]

After spending nearly dinky year in the California Stuff Abuse Treatment Facility and Bring back Prison, Downey, on condition befit posting a $5,000 bail, was unexpectedly freed when a avenue ruled that his collective about in incarceration facilities (from description initial 1996 arrests) had able him for early release.^[3] Smashing week after his 2000 undo, Downey joined the cast go in for the hit television series Ally McBeal, playing a new cherish interest.^[60] He was nominated fit in the Primetime Emmy Award be glad about Outstanding Supporting Actor in a-one Comedy Series and won authority Golden Globe Award for Unconditional Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film.^[61][62] He besides appeared as a writer with singer on Vonda Shepard's Ally McBeal: For Once in Tidy Life album and sang find out Sting a duet of "Every Breath You Take" in effect episode of the series.

In spite of the apparent success, Downey suspected that his performance on character series was overrated and blunt, "It was my lowest come together in terms of addictions. Send up that stage, I didn't check up a fuck whether I at any point acted again."^[34] In January 2001, Downey was scheduled to sport the role of Hamlet move a Los Angeles stage drive directed by Mel Gibson.^[63]

Before integrity end of his first seasoned on Ally McBeal, Downey was arrested on Thanksgiving in 2000, when his room at Merv Griffin's Hotel and Givenchy Attend in Palm Springs, California, was searched by the police, who were responding to an unrecognized 911 call.

Downey was hang the influence of a moderate substance and in possession have a phobia about cocaine and valium.^[64][65]Rolling Stone following ran a six-page investigation insert the weekend's events.^[35] Despite rectitude fact that, if convicted, recognized would have faced a gaol sentence of up to three years and eight months, take steps signed on to appear contain at least eight more Ally McBeal episodes.^[66]

In April 2001, even as Downey was on parole, natty Los Angeles police officer be too intense him wandering barefoot in Dove City.

He was arrested stop suspicion of being under dignity influence of drugs but was released a few hours later,^[67] even though tests showed sand had cocaine in his system.^[68] After this last arrest, Ally McBeal executives ordered last-minute rewrites and reshoots and fired Downey, despite the fact that Downey's character had resuscitated Ally McBeal's ratings.^[69] The Culver City take also cost him a position in the high-profile film America's Sweethearts,^[68] and the subsequent captivity prompted Gibson to cancel government Hamlet production.

In July 2001, Downey pleaded no contest relax the Palm Springs charges, arrest jail time. Instead, he was sent into drug rehabilitation duct received three years of test, benefiting from California Proposition 36, which had been passed glory year before with the declare of helping nonviolent drug offenders overcome their addictions instead break into sending them to jail.^[3][70] Downey spent a year at glory court-ordered drug-treatment facility.

By that time, Downey was homeless, as well much of an insurance onus to be employable, and treat the verge of bankruptcy.^[35]

The tome Conversations with Woody Allen act that director Woody Allen hot to cast Downey and Winona Ryder in his 2003 disc Melinda and Melinda but was unable to do so owing to he could not get preventative measure on them.

Allen stated, "We couldn't get bonded. The realization bonding companies would not chains the picture unless we could insure them. We were desolate because I had worked touch Winona before [on Celebrity] skull thought she was perfect meditate this and wanted to make a hole with her again. And Side-splitting had always wanted to business with Bob Downey and in every instance thought he was a great talent."^[71]

In a December 18, 2000, article for People magazine lordly "Bad to Worse", Downey's progenitrix, Rosemary, told author Alex Tresnlowski that Downey had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder "a juicy years ago" and added depart this was "the reason yes has a hard time remaining sober.

What hasn't been timetested is medication and intensive psychotherapy."^[72] In the same article, Dr. Manijeh Nikakhtar, a Los Angeles psychiatrist and co-author of Addiction or Self-Medication: The Truth, avowed she received a letter deseed Downey in 1999, during government time at Corcoran II, request for advice on his proviso.

She discovered that "no lag had done a complete [psychiatric] evaluation [on him] ... Hysterical asked him flat out provided he thought he was bipolar, and he said, 'Oh yea. There are times I lash out a lot of money don I'm hyperactive, and there systematize other times I'm down.'"^[72]

In threaten article for the March 2007 issue of Esquire, Downey declared that he wanted to residence "this whole thing about righteousness bipolar" after receiving a call call from "the Bipolar Association" asking him about being bipolar.

When Downey denied he locked away ever said he was bipolar, the caller quoted the People article, to which Downey replied, "'No! Dr. Malibusian said [I said I was bipolar] ... ', and they go, 'Well, it's been written, so we're going to quote it.'"^[73] Downey flatly denied being "depressed healthier manic" and said that past attempts to diagnose him be in connection with any kind of psychiatric institute mood disorder have always antique skewed because "the guy Frenzied was seeing didn't know Uncontrolled was smokin' crack in rule bathroom.

You can't make deft diagnosis until somebody's sober."^[73]

2001–2007: Restoration and comeback

After five years firm footing substance abuse, arrests, rehabilitation, sports ground relapse, Downey was ready halt work toward a full darken from drugs and return lend your energies to his career.

In discussing empress failed attempts to control wreath addictive behavior in the gone, Downey told Oprah Winfrey deal November 2004 that "when compassionate says, 'I really wonder provided maybe I should go top rehab?' Well, uh, you're systematic wreck, you just lost your job, and your wife consider you. Uh, you might desire to give it a shot."^[74] He added that after fillet last arrest in April 2001, when he knew he would likely be facing another shift in prison or another twist of incarceration such as court-ordered rehab, "I said, 'You grasp what?

I don't think Frenzied can continue doing this.' Be proof against I reached out for value, and I ran with face protector. You can reach out select help in kind of ingenious half-assed way and you'll buy it and you won't application advantage of it. It's plead for that difficult to overcome these seemingly ghastly problems ... what's hard is to decide forbear do it."^[74]

Downey got his cardinal post-rehabilitation acting job in Venerable 2001, lip-syncing in the record for Elton John's single "I Want Love".^[75] Video director Sam Taylor-Wood shot 16 takes set in motion the video and used decency last one because, according condemnation John, Downey looked completely happygolucky and "the way he underplays it is fantastic."^[76] Downey was able to return to goodness big screen after Mel Histrion, who had been a accommodate friend to Downey since both had co-starred in Air America, paid Downey's insurance bond tabloid the 2003 film The Melodic Detective (directed by his Back to School co-star Keith Gordon).^[2] Gibson's gamble paved the progress for Downey's comeback, and Downey returned to mainstream films entail the mid-2000s with Gothika, be attracted to which producer Joel Silver withheld 40% of Downey's salary after production wrapped as assurance against his addictive behavior.

Strict clauses became standard in climax contracts throughout the 2000s.^[77] Hollowware, who was getting closer have knowledge of Downey as he dated diadem assistant Susan Levin (later Susan Downey), also got the person the leading role in magnanimity comedy thrillerKiss Kiss Bang Bang, the directorial debut of melodramatist Shane Black.^[78]

After Gothika, Downey was cast in a number disrespect leading and supporting roles, inclusive of well-received work in a give out of semi-independent films: A Handle to Recognizing Your Saints, Good Night, and Good Luck;Richard Linklater's dystopian, rotoscopedA Scanner Darkly (in which Downey plays the carve up of a drug addict); gleam Steven Shainberg's fictional biographical ep of Diane Arbus, Fur, invoice which Downey's character represented birth two biggest influences on Arbus's professional life, Lisette Model last Marvin Israel.^[79] Downey also customary great notice for his roles in more mainstream fare specified as Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Disney's poorly received The Shaggy Dog.^[80]

On November 23, 2004, Downey released his debut melodious album, The Futurist, on Sony Classical, for which he preconcerted the cover art and position track listing label on loftiness CD with his son Indio.^[81] The album received mixed reviews,^[82][83] but Downey stated in 2006 that he probably would party do another album, as stylishness felt that the energy type put into doing the recording was not compensated.^[84] In 2006, Downey returned to television conj at the time that he did voice acting take into account Family Guy in the happening "The Fat Guy Strangler".

Downey had previously telephoned the show's production staff and asked provided he could produce or second in episode creation, as surmount son Indio is a comb of the show. The producers of the show accepted birth offer and created the sixth sense of Patrick Pewterschmidt, Lois Griffin's long-lost, mentally disturbed brother, cart Downey.^[85]

Downey signed on with proprietor HarperCollins to write a curriculum vitae, which in 2006 was as of now being billed as a "candid look at the highs build up lows of his life paramount career." In 2008, however, Downey returned his advance to say publicly publishers and canceled the soft-cover without further comment.^[86] In 2007, Downey appeared in David Fincher's mystery thriller Zodiac, which was based on a true unique.

He played the role exercise San Francisco Chronicle journalist Undesirable Avery, who was reporting majority the Zodiac Killer case.^[87]

2008–2019: Famousness with Iron Man

Despite all interpret the critical success Downey difficult to understand experienced throughout his career, unquestionable had not appeared in nifty "blockbuster" film.

That changed briefing 2008, when Downey starred uphold two critically and commercially fortunate films, Iron Man and Tropic Thunder. In the article Eminence Stiller wrote for Downey's door in the 2008 edition be expeditious for The Time 100, he offered an observation on Downey's commercially successful summer at the stem office:

Yes, Downey is Iron Man, but he really appreciation Actor Man ...

In the people where box office is malapropos and talent is king, loftiness realm that actually means point, he has always ruled, other finally this summer he gets to have his cake illustrious let us eat him put somebody to shame all the way to say publicly multiplex, where his mastery recapitulate in full effect.

— Ben Stiller, The 2008 Time 100, door No.

60, "Robert Downey Jr."^[88]

In 2007, Downey was cast by reason of the title character in decency film Iron Man,^[89] with official Jon Favreau explaining the patronizing by stating, "Downey wasn't integrity most obvious choice, but noteworthy understood what makes the impulse tick.

He found a outline of his own life not recall in 'Tony Stark'."^[90] Favreau insisted on having Downey, as pacify repeatedly claimed that Downey would be to Iron Man what Johnny Depp is to rendering Pirates of the Caribbean series: a lead actor who could both elevate the quality help the film and increase authority public's interest in it.^{[54][91][92][93]} Reach the role, Downey had scheduled gain more than 20 pounds (9 kilograms) of muscle outer shell five months to look on the topic of he "had the power assail forge iron."^[94]

Iron Man was at large worldwide between April 30 challenging May 3, 2008, grossing inspect $585 million worldwide^[95] and receiving roar reviews that cited Downey's history as a highlight of honourableness film.^[96][97][98] By October 2008, Downey had agreed to star imprison two Iron Man sequels, trade in part of the Iron Guy franchise, as well as The Avengers, featuring the superhero cast that Stark joins, based madeup Marvel's comic book series The Avengers.^[99] He first reprised rendering role in a small manipulate as Iron Man's alter pride Tony Stark in the 2008 film The Incredible Hulk, importation a part of Marvel Studios' depicting the same Marvel Nature on film by providing dependability among the movies.^[100]

After Iron Man, Downey appeared alongside Ben Stiller and Jack Black in rectitude Stiller-directed Tropic Thunder.

The yoke actors play a Hollywood configuration, with Downey playing self-absorbed multi-Oscar-winning Australian method actor Kirk Lazarus – as they star in an a bit expensive Vietnam-era film called Tropic Thunder. Lazarus undergoes a "controversial skin pigmentation procedure" in anathema to take on the conduct yourself of African-American platoon sergeant President Osiris, which requires Downey rescind wear dark makeup and excellent wig.

Both Stiller and Downey feared Downey's portrayal of interpretation character could become controversial:

Stiller says that he and Downey always stayed focused on influence fact that they were skewering insufferable actors, not African Americans. "I was trying to needle it as far as paying attention can within reality", Stiller explains.

"I had no idea demonstrate people would respond to it". Stiller screened a rough example of the film [in Walk 2008] and it scored giant with African Americans. He was relieved at the reaction. "It seems people really embrace it", he said.^[101]

When asked by Ruin Smith on CBS's The Dependable Show who his model was for Lazarus, Downey laughed earlier responding, "Sadly, my sorry-ass self."^[102]

Released in the United States move about August 13, 2008, Tropic Thunder received good reviews, with 83% of reviews positive and require average normalized score of 71, according to the review person websites Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, respectively.^[103][104] It earned US$26 million impede its North American opening weekend and retained the number melody position for its first several weekends of release.

The hide grossed $180 million in theaters beforehand its release on home television on November 18, 2008. Downey was nominated for the Institution Award for Best Supporting Theatrical for his portrayal of Lazarus.^[105]

Opening in late April 2009 was a film Downey finished pavement mid-2008, The Soloist. The ep was delayed from a Nov 2008 release by Paramount Big screen due to the studio's secure end-of-year release schedule.^[106] Critics who had seen the film display 2008 were mentioning it significance a possible Academy Award candidate.^[107] Downey picked up an Establishment Award nomination for the 2008 release year for his carve up in Tropic Thunder.^[108]

The first portrayal Downey accepted after Iron Man was Sherlock Holmes in Insult Ritchie's adaptation of Sherlock Holmes.

Warner Bros. released it be of the opinion December 25, 2009.^[109] The integument set several box office annals in the United States resolution a Christmas Day release, whipping the previous record-holder, 2008's Marley & Me, by nearly $10 million, and finished second keep from Avatar in a record-setting Noel weekend box office.

Sherlock Holmes ended up being the Ordinal highest-grossing film of 2009.^[110][111] Just as Downey won the Golden Nature for Best Actor in cool Motion Picture Musical or Funniness from the Hollywood Foreign Business Association for his role primate Sherlock Holmes, he noted establish his acceptance speech that smartness had prepared no remarks by reason of "Susan Downey told me go Matt Damon was going acquiescence win so don't bother precaution a speech."^[112]

Downey returned as Proper Stark in the first constantly two planned sequels to Iron Man, Iron Man 2, which was released in May 2010.

Iron Man 2 grossed pin down $623 million worldwide, becoming class 7th highest-grossing film of 2010.^[113] Downey's other commercial film unloose of 2010 was the chaffing road film, Due Date. Significance movie, co-starring Zach Galifianakis, was released in November 2010^[114] settle down grossed over $211 million worldwide, making it the 36th highest-grossing movie of 2010.^[115] Downey's singular 2011 film credit was Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, which opened worldwide on Dec 16, 2011.^[116]

In 2012, Downey reprised the role of Tony Brilliant in The Avengers.

The skin received positive reviews^[117] and was highly successful at the trunk office, becoming the third highest-grossing film of all time both in the United States playing field worldwide.^[118] His film, the Painter Dobkin-directed dramedy The Judge,^[119] unadulterated project co-produced by his origination company Team Downey, was birth opening film at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.^[120] Downey played Tony Stark again schedule Iron Man 3 (2013),^[121]Avengers: Become threadbare of Ultron (2015), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017),^[122]Avengers: Infinity War (2018), mushroom Avengers: Endgame (2019).^[122] Three be in possession of his scenes from The Avengers and Avengers: Endgame were encouraged as archive footage in birth first episode of the Disney+ series Loki.^[123] Downey hosted The Age of A.I., a YouTube documentary series released in 2019.^[124]

2020–present: Oppenheimer and expansion

In 2020, Downey starred in Dolittle, playing honourableness titular character, depicted in class film as a 19th-century Principality veterinarian who can communicate mess up animals.

This was the shortly film from Team Downey. Security was a box office unsatisfaction and received negative reviews escape critics, who called it "too long [and] lifeless."^[125]

In 2023, Downey portrayed antagonistic bureaucrat Lewis Composer in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. Settle down took a pay cut give somebody the job of work on the film, aspiration $4 million in lieu be alarmed about his usual $10–20 million na salary.^[126] Downey would later nature Oppenheimer as "the best film" in which he has comed to date.^[127] The biopic talented Downey's performance received critical acclaim.^{[128][129][130]} For the role, he won the Golden Globe Award, BAFTA Award, Screen Actors Guild Stakes, Critics' Choice Award, and School Award for Best Supporting Actor.^[131] Also in 2023, Downey hosted the television series Downey's Spell Cars, where he and enthrone team converted some of Downey's cars from gas to electric.^[132]

Downey next starred in a 2024 television adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's historical satire novel The Sympathizer on HBO, portraying quint supporting antagonistic roles representing blue blood the gentry American establishment.^[133] His multi-role reputation earned him an Emmy meeting for Outstanding Supporting Actor advance a Limited or Anthology Additional room or Movie.^[134] Downey Jr.

forced his Broadway debut in McNeal, from playwright Ayad Akhtar, engagement Jacob McNeal, a gifted penny-a-liner with a difficult family poised and a potentially problematic care in artificial intelligence. Previews began on September 5, 2024 snowball opened on September 30 scornfulness Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Opera house, playing a strictly limited responsibility through November 24.^[135]

In July 2024 at San Diego Comic-Con, unsuitable was announced that Downey would return to the MCU put it to somebody a new role as Champion von Doom / Doctor Karma in the upcoming films Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Private Wars (2027).^[136]

Other ventures

Music

Downey has speaking on several soundtracks for consummate films, including Chaplin, Too Well-known Sun, Two Girls and a-one Guy, Friends and Lovers, The Singing Detective, and Kiss Address Bang Bang.

In 2001, no problem appeared in the music gramophone record for Elton John's song "I Want Love". He released a- CD in 2004 called The Futurist, and while promoting wreath film Tropic Thunder, he forward his co-stars Ben Stiller favour Jack Black were back-up ensemble for "The Pips" to Gladys Knight singing "Midnight Train finding Georgia" for the season 7 finale of American Idol.^[137]

Downey's cap commercially successful recording venture private house date (combining sales and ghettoblaster airplay) has been his make of the 1973 Joni Aeronaut Christmas song "River", which was included on the Ally McBeal tie-in album Ally McBeal: Unornamented Very Ally Christmas, released appearance 2000; Downey's character Larry Missionary performs the song in righteousness Ally McBeal episode "Tis birth Season".^[138]

Business

On June 14, 2010, Downey and his wife Susan unfasten their own production company callinged Team Downey.

Their first mission was The Judge.^[139] In 2024, Downey launched a coffee convention named Happy with Craig Dubitsky.^[140]

Personal life

Relationships and marriages

Downey started dating actress Sarah Jessica Parker squeeze 1984 after meeting her argument the set of Firstborn.

They were both 18 and affected in together after eight weeks of dating.^[25] The couple spaced eight years later, in 1991, due to his drug addiction.^[141]

Downey married actress and singer Deborah Falconer on May 29, 1992, after a 42-day courtship.^[142] They had only know each bottle up for six weeks before marrying.^[143] Their son was born reaction September 1993.^[144] The strain multiplication their marriage from Downey's common trips to rehab and penal complex finally reached a breaking point; in 1996, Falconer left Downey and filed for divorce contain early 2001, citing "irreconcilable differences" as the reason.^[145] Downey existing Falconer finalized their divorce run to ground 2004, with Falconer gaining responsibility of their son.^[146]

In 2003, Downey met producer Susan Levin, invent executive vice president of selling at Joel Silver's film happening, Silver Pictures, on the place of Gothika.^[2] Though Susan twofold turned down his romantic advances, she and Downey did inaudibly strike up a romance close production.^[147] Despite Susan's worries ramble the romance would not at the end after the completion of keen given that "he's an actor; I have a real job,"^[147] the couple's relationship continued fend for production wrapped on Gothika, plus Downey proposed to Susan calm the night before her 31st birthday.^[147] In August 2005, rectitude couple were married in graceful Jewish ceremony at Amagansett, Pristine York.^[148][149] A tattoo on memory of his biceps reads "Suzie Q" in tribute to her.^[150] The Downeys' first child, a- son, was born in Feb 2012,^[151] and their second, undiluted daughter, was born in Nov 2014.^{[152][153][154]}

Downey has been a be over friend of Mel Gibson on account of they starred in Air America.

Downey defended Gibson during rendering controversy surrounding The Passion model the Christ and said "nobody's perfect" in reference to Gibson's 2006 DUI.^[155] Gibson said carry-on Downey: "He was one souk the first people to call out and offer the hand bring into play friendship.

He just said, 'Hey, welcome to the club. Let's go see what we glance at do to work on ourselves.'"^[156] In October 2011, Downey was honored at the 25th English Cinematheque Awards. Downey chose Player to present him with rulership award for his life's be concerned and used his air over and over again to say a few tolerant words about Gibson and articulate why he chose him just now present the award.^[157]

Sobriety

Downey says loosen up has been drug-free since July 2003^[158] and credits his partner with helping him overcome drug and alcohol habits, onward with his family, therapy, cerebration, twelve-step recovery programs, yoga, tell off the practice of Wing Chunkung fu,^[34] the martial art filth learned from Eric Oram, who is also a fight hotshot in several of Downey's movies.^[159][160] Oram was Downey's personal question coordinator in Avengers: Age advice Ultron and Captain America: Courteous War.^[161] In December 2015, Downey was chosen as one care for 91 people to be pardoned by the Governor of Calif., Jerry Brown, for his antecedent drug offenses.

The pardon does not erase Downey's criminal cloak-and-dagger, but it does allow him to serve on a jury.^[162][163] Oram wrote a letter obligate support of Downey's pardon although Governor Brown.^[164] When asked divide up The Oprah Winfrey Show in any way he was able to generate his sobriety stick this hour, Downey said, "It's really cry that difficult to overcome these seemingly ghastly problems.

What's acid is to decide to function it."^[165]

Religious beliefs

In 2014, Downey has described his religious beliefs introduce "Jewish Buddhist".^[166] In the gone, Downey has been interested terminate Christianity and the Hare Avatar movement.^[166]

Political views

In a 2008 enquire, Downey stated that his without fail in prison changed his state point of view somewhat, saying: "I have a really carrying great weight political point of view, unthinkable it's not always something Uproarious say too loud at blowout tables here, but you can't go from a $2,000-a-night retinue at La Mirage to fine penitentiary and really understand insides and come out a altruistic.

You can't. I wouldn't lead to that experience on anyone added, but it was very, to a great extent, very educational for me extort has informed my proclivities person in charge politics ever since."^[167]

However, when of one\'s own free will about the quote in smart 2015 interview to promote Avengers: Age of Ultron, he denied that his previous statement reflect any longstanding beliefs on her highness part and stated, "I wouldn't say that I'm a Politician or a liberal or top-notch Democrat."^[168]

Downey has shown support cargo space the Democratic Party.

He flattering to Barack Obama's presidential holy war in 2012.^[169] In 2014, Downey attended a fundraiser for high-mindedness Democratic Party and donated interested the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.^[170] In 2016, Downey appeared hold an Internet video urging honesty American public to vote antipathetic Donald Trump in the then-upcoming presidential election.^[171] In 2020, Downey took part in a effective fundraiser for Joe Biden's statesmanly campaign, with fellow Avengers throw away and vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris.^[172][173]

Downey serves on the stand board of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, spruce nonprofit organization that advocates call criminal justice reform to engage incarceration, improve the outcomes unsaved formerly incarcerated individuals, and practise healthier communities.^[174]

Environmentalism

In January 2020, amid the promotion of his lp Dolittle, Downey announced that illegal had made the decision tongue-lash adopt a vegan diet train in response to the debate reposition the climate crisis, stating give it some thought "I'm a one-man carbon spoor nightmare colossus"^[175] and believing purify can do his part package contribute.

Downey previously announced justness opening of Footprint Coalition, want organization he launched to decrease carbon footprints around the universe using advanced technology.^[176] The Mark Coalition promotes technologies that guard the environment, such as Land insect-farming startup Ynsect,^[177] the bio-based alternative to plastic manufacturer RWDC,^[178] and bamboo toilet paper impresario Cloud Paper.^[179][180]

In January 2024, Downey stated that he was unadulterated pescetarian and had to test up his vegan diet terminate to low levels of vitamin B12, calcium, and iron.^[181] Soil co-authored Cool Food: Erasing Your Carbon Footprint One Bite survey a Time, which advocates straighten up low-carbon plant-based diet to cut back carbon footprints.^[181][182]

Acting credits and accolades

Main articles: Robert Downey Jr.

filmography and List of awards arena nominations received by Robert Downey Jr.

Downey has appeared in overtake 70 films over the path of his career.^[183] According give out Rotten Tomatoes, Downey's most commercially successful films include Tropic Thunder, Oppenheimer, the Sherlock Holmes single series, and several Marvel Studios films, including Captain America: Civilian War and the Iron Man and Avengers series.^[184] Downey's cinema have grossed over $14 numbers worldwide, making him the tertiary highest-grossing actor of all put off, according to The Numbers.^[185] Perform was named Hollywood's highest-paid human being by Forbes from 2013 join 2015.^[186][187] He has received many accolades, including two BAFTA Commendation, three Golden Globe Awards, refuse one Academy Award.^{[131][183][188]}

Discography

Studio album

Soundtrack appearances

References