Robert Downey, Jr. is an actor, producer, and singer from the United States. Robert Downey, Jr. has a $300 million net worth. Robert Downey, Jr. is arguably best known today for his portrayal of Iron Man in the Marvel Studios film franchise.
He became one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood history due to his role. Perhaps almost as well-known is his story of overcoming serious substance misuse and recreating his profession.
Robert Downey Jr. Childhood
Robert Downey was born in New York City on April 4, 1965. Robert Downey Sr., a writer, actor, and director is his father. Elsie Ann Downey, his mother, is an actress who appeared in many of her husband’s films.
Allyson Downey Jr. is Downey Jr.’s elder sister. Greenwich Village was the family’s residence. Downey Sr. was a drug user who enabled his six-year-old son to consume marijuana.
Downey’s parents split in 1987, and he joined his father in California. Downey was classmates with Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Charlie Sheen, Holly Robinson-Peete, Ramon Estevez, Renee Estevez, and Dean Cain at Santa Monica High School. Downey dropped out of high school in 1982 to pursue an acting career in New York City.
Robert Downey Jr. Career
Downey performed in various theatre roles before joining the new, younger ensemble of “Saturday Night Live” in the mid-1980s with Joan Cusack, Nora Dunn, Anthony Michael Hall, Jon Lovitz, Dennis Miller, Randy Quaid, Terry Sweeney, and Danita Vance.
The 1985-1986 season of “SNL” received poor ratings, and all-new cast members recruited in 1985 were let go. Downey Jr. starred as a high school bully in John Hughes’ 1985 film “Weird Science.”
In 1987, he starred in “Less Than Zero” as Julian Wells, the drug-addicted affluent youngster. He then starred with Cybill Shepherd in 1989’s “Chances Are,” Mel Gibson in 1990’s “Air America,” and Sally Field, Whoopi Goldberg, and Kevin Kline in 1991’s “Soapdish.”
He played Charlie Chaplin in 1992’s “Chaplin.” He was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in “Chaplin.”
Robert Downey Jr. Drug Concerns
Downey’s career took a setback when his substance abuse spiraled out of hand. Between 1996 and 2001, he was arrested on many narcotics offenses. He was discovered in possession of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.
He joined several drug rehabilitation programs but failed to complete them all. Downey was pulled down in April 1996 while speeding along Sunset Boulevard. He was discovered with heroin, cocaine, and an unloaded.357 Magnum pistol. He was apprehended.
A month later, Downey was released on parole when he entered a neighbor’s house while under the influence of something and slept in one of his neighbor’s beds. He was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to submit to random drug testing.
He failed one of the court-ordered drug tests in 1997 and was sentenced to six months in the Los Angeles County prison. He was jailed again two years later after failing another drug test.
He was sentenced to three years in the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison. He spent nearly a year at a Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and was eligible for early release after posting a $5,000 bond.
He joined the “Ally McBeal” cast a week after his release from jail. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for the role of Best Supporting Actor in a miniseries or television film.
Downey was arrested over the Thanksgiving weekend of 2000 while intoxicated and in possession of cocaine and Valium. Downey was discovered barefoot exploring Culver City in April 2001 by an LAPD officer. He was detained on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled drug.
He was found to have cocaine but was freed a few hours later. He was dismissed from “Ally McBeal” following this arrest. He was sent to drug treatment and placed on three years of probation.
Robert Downey Jr. Career Comeback
It wasn’t simple for Downey to relaunch his career after overcoming his drug addiction. He was unhirable because the insurance firms utilized by projects placed an excessive value on Downey, which producers were unwilling to pay.
Mel Gibson, Downey’s companion since “Air America,” paved the way for the second part of Downey’s career. He paid Downey’s insurance bond for “The Singing Detective.” When Downey finished the picture without incident, other directors were eager to employ him again.
Then, in 2007, he was cast as Tony Stark in “Iron Man.” Iron Man’s debut feature was released in the spring of 2008. Downey received widespread critical acclaim for his role in Iron Man.
He also reprised his role as Tony Stark in the 2010 and 2013 sequels to “Iron Man” and in 2008’s “Incredible Hulk.”
“The Avengers” was released in 2012, followed by “Avengers: Age of Ultron” in 2015, “Captain America: Civil War” in 2016, “Spider-Man: Homecoming” in 2017, “Avengers: Infinity War” in 2018, and “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019.
Downey also made a cameo appearance in the comedy Tropic Thunder, for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Downey won another well-known part when he was cast as Sherlock Holmes in the 2009 film of the same name.
He resumed his role as the famed fictional detective in 2011’s “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” He is reportedly planning to reprise the role in a third feature, which is currently scheduled for release in late December 2021.
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Robert Downey Jr. Private Life
Downey married actress and singer Deborah Falconer on May 29, 1992, following a brief 42-day engagement. Downey’s drug usage and many visits to rehab brought the marriage to an end in 2001.
Falconer departed Downey with their son Indio (born in 1993). In 2004, Downey and Falconer divorced.
Downey first met Susan Levin, a film executive, on the set of “Gothika” in 2003. She declined his date request twice. Eventually, she was unable to ignore their chemistry. Downey proposed to Levin in November 2003, the night before her 30th birthday.
They tied the knot in 2005. Their son Exton was born in February 2012. Their daughter Avri was born in November 2014.
Downey has been substance- and alcohol-free since July 2003. He attributes his success to his wife, Susan, who assisted him in overcoming his addictions. Downey has participated in 12-step programs.
Salary Highlights
Robert earned nearly $50 million between June 2016 and June 2017, making him one of the highest-paid actors in the world. He made $80 million between June 2017 and June 2018. He made $65 million between June 2018 and June 2019.
RDJ made “just” $500,000 from the first Iron Man film. Outside of Marvel, he earned $12 million for the 2010 film “Due Date” and $15 million for 2011’s “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.”
Robert will receive between $40 million and $75 million from “Avengers: Endgame,” depending on different box office goals. Additionally, he has a hefty endorsement contract with Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus.