Robert Downey Junior

From teen heartthrob to Hollywood bad boy to one of the world's most beloved actors, Robert Downey Juniors life has certainly been a rollercoaster ride. In this biography we take a look at his life and career from child actor to leading man. We'll explore his famous partners, his trouble with drug addiction and the law as well as his rise to become one of Marvel's most beloved superheroes.

Photo: Gage Skidmore (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Robert Downey Junior was born April 4th, 1965 in Manhattan, New York. His father, Robert Downey Senior was an actor and film maker and his mother Elsie Ann was also an actor. His parents divorced when Robert was just 10 years old. He lived with his father who was a drug addict and was given his first taste of marijuana at the tender age of 6. His father would later regret the decision to allow his son to use drugs at such a young age. Robert played a role in a number of his father's films and eventually dropped out of high school to pursue acting full time.

Early Career

After getting his start on stage in a number of theatre productions, he was cast as a member of Saturday Night Live. Unfortunately, his time on the show was short lived when the season received poor ratings and reviews and Robert was dropped from the cast after just one season. Rolling Stone Magazine would go on to name Robert as the worst cast member in SNL's entire run.

This setback did not last long, however, when Robert was cast in a number of major films, including a role in John Hugh's film 'Weird Science'. He played Ian, one of the boys who bullies the main character. He made the step from supporting actor to leading man when he played the romantic lead opposite Milly Ringwald in 'The Pick Up Artist'. These roles, along with a number of others, saw him become a member of the Brat Pack alongside Emilio Esteves, Rob Lowe, Molly Ringwald and many others.

Robert's role in film Less Than Zero would be a defining moment in the actors life. He played Julian, the drug addicted. best. friend of the main character. The role had a lasting impact on the actor himself. He said, "Until that movie, I took my drugs after work and on the weekends. That changed on Less Than Zero. The role was like the ghost of Christmas future. The character was an exaggeration of myself. Then things changed and. in some ways, I became an exaggeration of the character."

Despite his developing drug addiction, Robert was able to continue working on big budget films and still maintain a level of professionalism. The early '90s were a time of great success for the actor. In 1992 he starred as Charlie Chaplin in the film 'Chaplin'. The film was a career highlight for Robert who threw himself into the role, learning how to play the violin and working with a coach to develop the characters voice, posture and mannerisms. His work earns him a nomination for the Best Actor Academy Award.

Robert went on to star in Heart and Soul with Kyra Sedgwick, Natural Born Killers with Woody Harrelson and Two Guys and a Girl with Heather Graham as well as a string of other successful films.

Drug Addiction

His Hollywood career was tracking along with great success but troubles in his personal life risked him losing it all. Robert was a long time drug addict after his experiences with his father at such a young age. In 1988 Robert said in an interview for book. 'The New Breed', "When my dad and I would do drugs together, it was like him trying to express his love for me in the only way he knew how." His drug addiction led to troubles with the law and in 1996 he was arrested for driving under the influence and possession of drugs and a firearm. What followed was years spent in and out of drug rehabilitation clinics., time in court and a stint in prison.

The early 2000s saw a comeback for the actor with a regular role on television series Ally McBeal. Despite his continuing drug habit, the. role was a professional success for him, earning him an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe win for Best Supporting Actor. Robert himself says his performance on the series was overrated. He does not look back on that time in his life fondly and considers it one of his lowest points in his drug addiction.

Photo: Alan Light (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Relationships

Not only did his drug addiction cost him job opportunities but he lost a lot of relationships too. One of his most significant relationship losses was with his long term girlfriend, actress Sarah Jessica Parker. The pair met on the set of film 'Firstborn' in 1984. They struck upon a romance and moved in together not long after. The couple were together for nearly 8 years before Robert's drug habits became too much for Sarah Jessica. She has said she felt she had taken on more of a parent role in the relationship and towards the end she had fallen out of love with him but stayed for fear that he might die. Robert has said of the relationship, "she provided me with a home and understanding. [She] tried to help me. I was in love with Sarah Jessica and love clearly was not enough." The couple separated in 1991.

Robert went on to marry model, actress and singer Deborah Falconer just one year later. After a whirlwind romance of just 42 days , the pair wed on the 29th of May 1992 and welcomed son Indio in September of the following year. Deborah was married to Robert for many of his most turbulent years and it ultimately took its toll on their marriage. The couple separated in 1996 when their son was just 3 years old and finalised the divorce in 2001.

In 2003 he was cast in film Gothika alongside Halle Berry and Penelope Cruz. It was a box office hit earning more than 140 million USD worldwide but more importantly for Robert it was where he met his current wife. Susan Downey (nee Levin) was a producer on the film when she became friendly with the actor, although she does admit her first impressions of him were that he was "weird". She was initially hesitant to pursue a romantic relationship with the star as she was concerned he would lose interest once filming wrapped. However, unable to deny her attraction, she secretly struck up a romance with the actor and the romance actually did continue after filming. Robert and Susan were married in 2005 and welcomed son Exton in 2012 and daughter Avri in 2014.

Meeting Susan was the life changing moment Robert needed. With Susan's support, Robert finally quit drugs and alcohol and revived his career. Robert credits Susan as being the reason for her success saying, "The old saying is true - behind every good man there's. an incredible woman. I owe a huge amount, if not all, my success to Susan."

Hollywood Comeback

Robert used a combination of therapy including the 12 step-program, yoga, meditation and martial arts to overcome his drug addiction. By 2003 he was clean and ready to once again take Hollywood by storm. With Susan by his side, Robert went on to star in box office hits including 'Zodiak', 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang', The Soloist, Tropic Thunder, Sherlock Holmes and Dolittle. His biggest success was as one of Marvel's most loved superheroes, Ironman.

In 2008 Robert introduced the world to his version of Tony Stark as Ironman. A fan of the character as a child, Robert embodied the genius, billionaire, engineer superhero at the age of 40. Although he almost didn't get the part, it was his troubled past that ultimately won him the role. Director Jon Favreau said of Robert, "The best and worst moments of Robert's life have been in the public eye. He had to find an inner balance to overcome obstacles that went far beyond his career. That's Tony Stark."

Robert prepared for the role with weight training 5 days a week and worked extensively with a martial arts mentor. Not only did he need. to get in shape physically, he also had to prepare mentally. Robert says the challenge of the character was, "making a wealthy, establishmentarian, weapons-manufacturing, hard-drinking, womaniser, into. a character who is likeable and a hero." His hard work paid off. The film was a huge success and earned Robert a number of awards and nominations including an MTV award for Best Hero, a Best Actor Saturn Award, a People's Choice award and nominations for the Critic's Choice awards along with many others.

Photo Paul Bird (CC BY 2.0)

Did you know...?

1. Robert and his wife Susan started a production company named Team Downey. Since its formation in 2010, the company has produced films The Judge, Dolittle and Sherlock Holmes as well as television series Perry Mason on HBO and Sweet Tooth on Netflix.

2. Robert also enjoys making music and released an album titled 'The Futurist' in 2004. He has stated, however, that he is not likely to make another album as the amount of energy it takes to make one is not compensated. He is also credited on soundtracks for Ally McBeal, Heart and Soul and a number of other films.

3. Along with his Avengers co-stars, Robert was honoured in 2009 with a spot outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Robert placed his hands and feet in wet cement, literally leaving his mark on Hollywood forever.

4. Robert almost played Batman in 1989 but ultimately lost the role to Michael Keaton. Other famous characters. Robert lost out on were Edward Scissor Hands, Duckie in Pretty in Pink, Lloyd Dobler in Say Anything, Maverick in Top Gun, Ferris Bueller as well as small roles in Thelma and Louise and America's Sweethearts.

5. Robert spent his life surrounded by famous faces. In the early 80s he was roommates with Keiffer Sutherland, he was bailed out of jail by Elton John in the 90s, supported by Mel Gibson to work while on probation, is close friends with The Soloist co-star Jaime Foxx and is actually related to Harry Connick Jr and Barbara Walters.