Robert Downey Jr. is an accomplished Hollywood actor adored by audiences worldwide. He built his brilliant film career on a foundation of perseverance, talent, and an innate ability to promote himself effectively. We’ll take a closer look at his life and work right here on manhattanski.com.
The Actor’s Childhood
The future star was born on April 4, 1965, in New York City to avant-garde filmmaker Robert Downey Sr., known for the 1969 film Putney Swope, and actress Elsie. His parents instilled a love for the stage and film arts in him early on. Robert began acting in movies from a young age. He was the second, and younger, child in the family. Robert and his sister, Allyson, spent their entire childhood in Greenwich Village. Downey Jr. made his film debut in 1970, playing a puppy in his father’s film Pound, in which actors portrayed dogs. Following this, Robert landed small roles in several more of his father’s films. When Robert was 13, his parents divorced. He moved with his father to Los Angeles. However, at 16, he dropped out of school and moved back to New York City to live with his mother.
First Steps in Cinema
Downey Jr. first appeared on screen in films such as Baby, It’s You (1983), Firstborn (1984), Weird Science (1985), and Back to School (1986). From 1985 to 1986, he was a regular cast member on the popular NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live. Robert’s first leading role on the big screen was as a charming womanizer in The Pick-up Artist (1987), a romantic comedy starring Molly Ringwald, written and directed by James Toback. The year 1987 marked a major career breakthrough for Robert with the film Less Than Zero. In this movie, he starred alongside Andrew McCarthy and embodied Julian Wells, a party animal and cocaine addict.
Developing His Acting Career
By the early 1990s, Downey had cemented his reputation as a highly-regarded, A-list actor. He earned praise for his comedic turn as a scheming soap opera producer in Soapdish (1991). The acclaim grew even stronger when Robert took the lead role in the critically-acclaimed comedic drama Short Cuts (1993). In 1993, Robert’s film career was in full swing. He had established himself as a talented actor, earning a positive reputation among his colleagues and fans. That year, the actor was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Chaplin (1992). In the film, Downey expertly played the legendary Charlie Chaplin. This role showcased his dramatic range and significant comedic talent. The actor prepared for the role for a long time, mastering pantomime and learning to play tennis left-handed. At the time, the 27-year-old Downey was considered one of the most gifted actors of his generation. Also in 1993, Robert collaborated with friends Josh Richman and Donovan Leitch on the documentary The Last Party, which covered the 1992 national political conventions, with Downey serving as narrator. In 1994, the actor appeared in the romantic comedy Only You and Oliver Stone’s controversial film Natural Born Killers, in which he portrayed a perverted television journalist. Of particular note is the 1995 project Restoration, where Downey brilliantly played a 17th-century physician at the court of King Charles II of England. Reviewing the film for the Chicago Tribune (January 26, 1996), Michael Wilmington described Downey as a superb comedian capable of evoking nervousness and pathos.
Battle with Addiction and Legal Troubles
Despite his film successes, Downey battled drug addiction for most of his career. He first tried marijuana at the age of 8 and was addicted by his 20s. To protect his reputation and continue acting, Robert was forced to confront his addiction, undergoing periodic rehabilitation courses. In the summer of 1996, the actor was pulled over by police for driving naked. Robert was found in possession of cocaine, heroin, and a pistol. Less than a month after this incident, and just hours before he was to be formally charged, Downey broke the law again by breaking into a neighbour’s home and passing out in a bedroom. After the court placed him in a rehabilitation centre, he fled but was hospitalised again a couple of hours later. Over the next few years, Robert’s life was filled with sensational headlines, mistakes, and the consequences brought on by his addiction. He spent 12 months in prison and underwent a recovery course at a drug treatment clinic. In November 2000, Downey was arrested in a Palm Springs hotel room, where he was found with cocaine while wearing a woman’s dress. This time, he was charged with drug possession. The actor’s trial, initially set for late January, was postponed for several months while his lawyers negotiated with prosecutors. In March 2001, the parties failed to reach a plea agreement, and the case was moved for trial in late April. On April 24, 2001, Downey was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of drugs.
Reputation and Career Rebirth
Despite his troubles, Downey continued to work in the early 2000s. He played a memorable role in the film Wonder Boys and appeared in several other projects, including Auto Motives and Lethargy. During this period, the actor also ventured into television, becoming a regular on the series Ally McBeal. In 2001, Downey won a Golden Globe Award, and shortly thereafter, a Screen Actors Guild Award. Following his second arrest in April 2001, Downey left the series Ally McBeal; producers decided to finish filming the season’s final episodes without the actor. Around the same time, his lawyers reached an agreement with the prosecution, according to which Downey had to contest the charges related to cocaine use. Robert was then sentenced to three years of probation, allowing him to continue residential drug treatment instead of returning to jail. In 2004, Downey released his first album, The Futurist, which blended jazz and pop music. He also starred in the Steven Soderbergh segment of the film Eros. In 2008, the actor captivated audiences in the blockbuster Iron Man, a Marvel comic book adaptation. The film was a massive box-office success, and Downey received high praise for his performance. In 2023, Downey co-starred with Cillian Murphy in the biographical thriller Oppenheimer. He played Lewis Strauss, a board member and later chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, who advocated for the development of the hydrogen bomb and suspected Oppenheimer of being a Soviet agent. This role earned the actor numerous awards. In 2024, Downey returned to dramatic television series, playing five different characters in the miniseries The Sympathiser. This role brought him a 2024 Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor. Despite the difficulties the actor has faced, he continues to give interviews, star in films, and participate in shows. His struggle with addiction was aided not only by treatment but also by his love for his work, his drive to achieve his goals, and the unwavering support of his fans. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Downey’s total net worth is approximately $300 million.