Robert Downey Jr., an acclaimed actor from America, is renowned for his roles in a spectrum of films that includes ‘Iron Man,’ ‘The Avengers, ‘Sherlock Holmes’ and ‘Chaplin.’
Introduction to Robert Downey Jr
Born and raised in New York City, Robert Downey Jr. took up acting during his early childhood years. Although he made his debut in films and became a member of the Saturday Night Live cast during the 1980s, his escalating fame was overshadowed by a prolonged battle with drug addiction. After overcoming his challenges, he resurfaced in the industry to receive critical and popular praise, solidifying his position as an A-lister in Hollywood.
Robert Downey Jr Net Worth
As of 2019, the estimated net worth of Robert Downey Jr. stands at $300 million, making him one of the industry’s highest-earning actors.
Physical Stature
Robert Downey Jr. stances at a tallness of 5 feet 9 inches.
Initial Cinematic Experiences and ‘SNL’
Downey’s earliest roles in feature films include Baby, It’s You (1983), Firstborn (1984), Weird Science (1985) and Back to School (1986). He was also a part of the cast of Saturday Night Live, a highly-rated sketch-comedy show on NBC, from 1985 to ’86.
‘The Pick-up Artist,’ ‘Less Than Zero’
In 1987, Downey took on his first lead role in The Pick-up Artist, a romantic comedy where he portrayed a charismatic womanizer opposite Molly Ringwald. Written and directed by James To back, this film marked a significant moment in his career. His breakthrough performance, however, came the same year with Less Than Zero (1987), where he starred alongside Andrew McCarthy. In this film, Downey took on the role of Julian Wells, a character known for his love for parties and addiction to cocaine.
Struggles with Substance Abuse
Downey’s own life bore uncanny resemblances to that of his character in the movie “Less Than Zero”, as he too, struggled with drug addiction from a young age. Introduced to drugs by his father at the tender age of eight, Downey’s substance abuse escalated during his early twenties. As the character he portrayed in “Less Than Zero”, he mirrored the actions of his character in reality, leading to a distressing period of substance abuse.
He sought help at a rehab facility, but unfortunately, his battle with addiction continued, even as his acting career progressed. Despite his personal struggles, Downey managed to establish himself as an esteemed member of Hollywood’s A-list by the 1990s, earning critical acclaim for his performances, notably in “Soapdish” and “Short Cuts”.
Films of Noteworthy Praise
‘Chaplin’
In 1993, Downey’s portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in the film “Chaplin” garnered him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. His adept representation of the comedic legend from a young adult to an elderly man demonstrated his exceptional acting range and physical comedy skills. Despite being revered as a talented actor, Downey’s numerous personal troubles labeled him as a contentious figure in Hollywood.
‘Natural Born Killers,’ ‘Richard III’
Post his success with “Chaplin”, Downey held diverse roles in films like “The Last Party”, “Only You”, “Natural Born Killers”, “Restoration”, “Richard III”, and “Home for the Holidays”, further cementing his place as a versatile actor.
Personal Conquests and Obstacles
Outside of his professional life, Downey had some positive personal developments as well. He married Deborah Falconer in 1992 and the couple became parents to a son, Indio, two years later. However, stability eluded him as he found himself in legal trouble in June 1996, when he was arrested for driving naked and in possession of drugs and a firearm.
His dependency on drugs led to repeated run-ins with law enforcement, including a one-year prison sentence and multiple stints in rehab. In a bizarre incident in November 2000, Downey was found in a hotel room in Palm Springs, dressed in a Wonder Woman costume and in possession of cocaine, leading to a felony drug possession charge.
Hitched to Susan Levin
Despite a past filled with legal conflicts, Downey now enjoys a calm and steady family life. He tied the knot with producer Susan Levin in 2005, and they welcomed their son, Exton Elias, on February 7, 2012. Their family grew with the addition of their daughter Avri on November 4, 2014. In a turn of events, Governor Jerry Brown of California in December 2015, a conviction that had previously landed him in jail for a year, pardoned Downey for his 1996 drug conviction.
Actor Mel Gibson played a crucial role in helping Downey transition his life. Having co-starred in Air America (1990), Gibson remained a steadfast friend to Downey, even during his darkest times. When Downey’s past legal issues prevented him from obtaining a standard insurance bond, Gibson provided him with work by casting him in the 2003 film, The Singing Detective. Their friendship persists to this day.
Formative Years
Renowned actor Robert Downey Jr., born on April 4, 1965, in New York City, is the offspring of the unconventional filmmaker Robert Downey Sr., famed for his 1969 film, Putney Swope. Downey Jr.’s acting career commenced at a tender age, inspired by his mother Elsie, an actress who kindled a passion for performing in him. Growing up in Greenwich Village with his elder sister, Alison, he first appeared on film as a puppy in his father’s movie, Pound (1970), a production where actors assumed the roles of dogs. He continued to appear in minor roles in several subsequent films directed by his father.
