Robert Downey Jr. Biography- Robert Downey, Jr., son of ardent filmmaker Robert Downey, Sr., is an American actor best known for his stellar performances in ‘Chaplin’, the quirky version of ‘Tony Stark’ in ‘Iron Man’ and Decades Under the Shadows Famous to live in. of drug abuse and violation of the law. (Robert Downey Jr. Bio)
Downey was involved in professional acting and drug abuse from a very young age due to his highly creative and addicted father. He has spent his life in and out of the tabloids, rehabilitation centers and prisons and yet, his acting skills and talent have earned him the status of one of the most cherished actors. (Robert Downey Jr. Biography)
His fans love him for the deep and strong characters that he has played in movies from time to time like: ‘Sherlock Holmes’, ‘Tropical Thunder’, etc. Consumption of drugs and alcohol which he used to do since childhood. Downey has been honored with awards like Golden Globe, BAFTA and Emmy for his contribution to cinema. He also co-owns the production company ‘Team Downey’ with his wife Susan Levin. (Robert Downey Jr. Biography)
Table of Contents
Childhood and Early Life
- Robert Downey, Jr. was born on April 4, 1965, in Manhattan, New York, to Robert Downey, Sr., and Elsie. His father is a famous film producer, actor, writer, director and his mother was an actress. Downey got into acting from a very young age. (Robert Downey Jr. Bio)
- He made his first appearance in his father’s film ‘Pound’, in which he played the role of a puppy.
- At the age of 7 he made an appearance in a film titled ‘Greaser Palace’ and later went to live in England to study classical ballet. He attended Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center in New York.
- In 1978, at the age of 13, Downey’s parents divorced and he moved to California to live with his father. He dropped out of school in pursuit of professional acting. He was still battling his drug addiction.
Career
- He also did ‘Turf Turf (1985)’, John Hughes’ sci-fi comedy ‘Strange Science (1985)’ and ‘Pretty in Pink (1986)’.
Downey made his first lead role in ‘The Pick-Up Artist’ in 1987, and the same year in ‘Les Than Zero’, in which he played a rich young boy addicted to drugs. He came to be recognized as a member of the ‘Brat Pack’. - In 1989, Downey starred in a romantic comedy called “Chances Are”, starring alongside Cybill Shepherd, Ryan O’Neill, and Mary Stuart Masterson. This was followed by ‘Air America (1990)’, in which she starred with Mel Gibson and ‘Soapdish (1991)’ with Sally Field. (Robert Downey Jr. Biography)
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- From 1993-1999, he did commercial films such as ‘Heart and Souls (1993)’, ‘Shortcuts (1993)’, ‘Only You (1994)’, ‘Natural Born Killer (1994)’, ‘Restoration (1995)’. , ‘Richard III (1995)’, ‘Two Girls and a Guy (1998)’ and ‘Black and White (1999)’.
- Downey did a psychological thriller called ‘In Dreams’ in 1999, in which he starred alongside Annette Bening. It was his last film he completed before going to a California substance abuse treatment facility and state prison to serve his drug charges. (Robert Downey Jr. Biography)
- In 2000, after its release, he joined the cast of an American legal comedy-drama television series titled ‘Allie McBeal’. He was nominated for an Emmy Award and won a Golden Globe in the category of Best Supporting Actor in a Mini-Series.
- They lip-synced to the 2001 video for Elton John’s I Want Love, directed by Sam Taylor-Wood. The following year, he got the lead role in ‘The Singing Detective’ with the help of Mel Gibson, who paid off his insurance bond. (Robert Downey Jr. Bio)
- In 2003, Downey co-starred with Halle Berry in a supernatural thriller ‘Gothica’, directed by Matthew Kasowitz. He withheld 40 percent of Downey’s salary to make sure his addictive behavior didn’t hinder the making of the film.
- Downey went on to have leading and supporting roles in films such as “Good Night, and Good Luck”, a film directed by George Clooney, “Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus”, “Scanner Darkly” and “A Guide to Recognizing Yourself”. ‘. Sant’, during 2005-2006.
- Around the same time, he did commercial films that made him more prominent in the industry: “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005), a crime-comedy starring Val Kilmer. (Robert Downey Jr. Biography)
- In 2008, Downey delivered his first major blockbuster hit: “Tropic Thunder”, an action comedy in which he starred alongside Ben Stiller and Justin Theroux, and “Iron Man”, in which he played the memorable and quirky role of “Tony Stark”. played.
- He appeared in the 2009 drama film titled ‘The Soloist’, starring opposite Jamie Foxx, based on a book by Steve Lopez.
- In 2010, Downey again became part of the Marvel Studios film project, reprising his role of ‘Tony Stark’ in the sequel to ‘Iron Man 2’. He starred alongside Jude Law and Jared Harris in the film and despite its top cast, the film didn’t do much as well. (Robert Downey Jr. Biography)
- In 2012, The Avengers, a superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name, was released. Downey starred in this massive project alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, etc.
- Another ‘Iron Man’ film ‘Iron Man 3’ was released in 2013 which featured Downey’s character going through post-traumatic stress disorder. She acted in the film with Gwyneth Paltrow, Rebecca Hall etc.
Major Works
- Downey’s Chaplin (1992) is one of his greatest achievements to date. The film’s director Richard Attenborough trained him in many aspects that were essential to the actual portrayal of Chaplin, such as learning to play the violin, etc. (Robert Downey Jr. Biography)
see also Ryan Reynolds Biography- Childhood, Career, Awards & Achievements
- Joining the cast of the American television mini-series “Allie McBeal” after serving time in prison in 2000 was a great professional move on Downey’s part. He won several awards for his role in the series.
- Downey’s characterization of ‘Tony Stark’ in ‘Iron Man (2008)’, ‘Iron Man 2 (2010)’ and ‘Iron Man 3 (2013)’ has made him a major blockbuster phenomenon. His quirky and irresistible personality in real life is reflected in ‘Tony Stark’ which has made it so successful. (Robert Downey Jr. Bio)
Awards and Achievements
- Winner of Downey Golden Globe Award and Screen Guild Award for ‘Allie McBeal (2001)’, BAFTA Award for ‘Chaplin (1992)’, Golden Globe Award for ‘Shortcuts (1994)’ and ‘Sherlock Holmes (2009)’ Huh. and 2 People’s Choice Awards for ‘The Avengers (2013)’. (Robert Downey Jr. Biography)
Personal life and Legacy
- Downey was married to singer and actress Deborah Faulkner from 1992–2004. Their marriage began to fall apart when Downey made frequent visits to rehab and could not separate from his addictions.
- He was once arrested for possession of cocaine, marijuana and heroin and on other occasions he was charged with possessing an unlicensed handgun. (Robert Downey Jr. Bio)
- Downey was sent to the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Jail, California, in 1999 on a 3-year sentence. But he was released early as his mass imprisonment on various occasions made him eligible for early release.
- He married Susan Levin, executive vice president of production at Joel Silver’s film company Silver Pictures, in a Jewish ceremony in 2005. (Robert Downey Jr. Biography)
Trivia
- Downey dated famed Hollywood actress Sarah Jessica Parker from 1984–1991; They broke up because of their addiction to drugs and alcohol.
- He says that as a child he was introduced to drugs by his father, who was also a drug addict, and they used to consume drugs together. (Robert Downey Jr. Biography)
see also Bruce Lee Biography- Childhood, Career, Personal life and Legacy
- Downey credits his wife Susan for her drug recovery and ‘bad boy lifestyle’.
- She was supposed to do Woody Allen’s “Melinda and Melinda” in 2005, but was kicked out of the project because Woody could not get insurance on her. (Robert Downey Jr. Bio)
- It was revealed in the media that Downey was suffering from bipolar disorder for a very long time in his life.
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