**Early Life**:
– Robert John Downey Jr. was born on April 4, 1965, in Manhattan, New York City.
– His father, Robert Downey Sr., was a filmmaker, and his mother, Elsie Ann, was an actress.
– Downey’s exposure to drugs at a young age due to his father’s addiction and his mother’s alcoholism.
– Experienced periods of near-poverty and wealth due to his father’s film projects.
– Downey’s diverse ancestral background includes Lithuanian Jewish, Hungarian Jewish, Irish, Scottish, German, and Swiss descent.
**Career**:
– Started acting in his father’s films and made his stage debut in 1983.
– Gained recognition in the 1980s with roles in films like ‘Less than Zero’ and ‘Chaplin.’
– Despite personal struggles with drugs, continued to secure roles in major films like ‘Air America’ and ‘Soapdish.’
– Portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in ‘Chaplin’ earned him critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination.
– His films as a leading actor have grossed over $14 billion worldwide.
**Personal Life and Struggles**:
– Married to Deborah Falconer from 1992 to 2004 and has been married to Susan Levin since 2005.
– Had a relationship with Sarah Jessica Parker from 1984 to 1991.
– Struggled with drug addiction, leading to legal issues and rehab stints in the 1990s.
– Parents divorced in 1977, leading him to live with his mother in New York.
– Diagnosed with bipolar disorder and faced addiction-related setbacks and legal issues.
**Career Evolution and Recognition**:
– Nominated for Academy Awards for ‘Tropic Thunder’ and ‘Chaplin.’
– Became the highest-paid actor in the world in 2013 and 2015.
– Received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the film series.
– Won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for ‘Sherlock Holmes.’
– Starred in successful films like ‘The Avengers’ series and ‘Captain America: Civil War.’
**Legacy and Impact**:
– Downey’s career marked by early success, drug-related problems, and resurgence in the 2000s.
– Portrayal of Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe brought widespread recognition.
– Ability to overcome personal struggles and maintain sobriety has inspired many.
– Regarded as one of the most talented actors of his generation.
– Known for philanthropic efforts, advocacy work, and induction into the California Hall of Fame.
Robert John Downey Jr. (born April 4, 1965) is an American actor. His films as a leading actor have grossed over $14 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time. Downey's career has been characterized by some early success, a period of drug-related problems and run-ins with the law, and a surge in popular and commercial success in the 2000s. In 2008, Downey was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. From 2013 to 2015, he was listed by Forbes as Hollywood's highest-paid actor.
Robert Downey Jr. | |
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![]() Downey in 2014 | |
Born | Robert John Downey Jr. April 4, 1965 New York City, U.S. |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1970–present |
Works | Filmography |
Spouses | |
Partner | Sarah Jessica Parker (1984–1991) |
Children | 3 |
Parent |
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Awards | Full list |
Signature | |
At the age of five, Downey made his acting debut in his father Robert Downey Sr.'s film Pound in 1970. He subsequently worked with the Brat Pack in the teen films Weird Science (1985) and Less than Zero (1987). Downey's portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in the 1992 biopic Chaplin received a BAFTA Award. Following a stint at the Corcoran Substance Abuse Treatment Facility on drug charges, he joined the TV series Ally McBeal in 2000, and won a Golden Globe Award for the role. Downey was fired from the show in 2001 in the wake of additional drug charges. He stayed in a court-ordered drug treatment program and has maintained his sobriety since 2003.
Downey made his acting comeback in the 2003 film The Singing Detective, after Mel Gibson paid his insurance bond because completion bond companies would not insure him. He went on to star in the black comedy Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), the thriller Zodiac (2007), and the action comedy Tropic Thunder (2008). Downey gained global recognition for starring as Iron Man in ten films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, beginning with Iron Man (2008), and leading up to Avengers: Endgame (2019). He has also played Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes (2009), which earned him his second Golden Globe, and its sequel, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011). Downey has also taken on dramatic parts in The Judge (2014) and Oppenheimer (2023), winning an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA Award for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss in the latter.