If you’re familiar with comic book superheroes like Spider-Man and Batman, you’ve probably seen actor Robert Downey Jr. He has played Tony Stark, the wealthy industrialist of Iron Man, in multiple films.
Born in Manhattan on April 4, 1965, Robert Downey Jr. was raised in Greenwich Village. His father was a noted independent filmmaker. His mother is English and half-Lithuanian Jewish. During the early 1980s, Downey moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. During the early 1990s, he earned a reputation as a critically acclaimed A-List actor.
As a child, Downey had various roles on film. He made his screen debut at the age of five in the 1970 film Pound. Later, he played a character in the 1987 movie Less Than Zero. After a brief stint in high school, Downey dropped out to pursue an acting career.
After working on films such as Soapdish (1991) and Short Cuts (1993), Downey was cast in a recurring role on the television show Ally McBeal. The show was a hit. The role led to an award-winning performance and a nomination for best supporting actor at the Golden Globes.
While he was on the show, Downey began to struggle with drug and alcohol problems. At one point, he was in jail for possession of drugs. Eventually, he was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison.
Before he was released, Downey was arrested several times for drug-fueled behavior. Upon his release, Downey returned to his career. In 2006, he starred in a film called A Scanner Darkly. It starred Woody Harrelson and Winona Ryder.
In the past two decades, Downey has appeared in 13 feature films, including the popular thriller Tropic Thunder (2008). Downey also had a role in the HBO comedy series Sherlock Holmes (2009). Currently, Downey is starring in the upcoming Marvel’s Black Widow. He is married to producer Susan Downey. They have one child together.
Despite his public struggles with substance abuse and addiction, Downey has continued to be a popular figure in Hollywood. He has also won numerous awards and accolades for his work. Most recently, he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical.
As a teenager, Downey studied classical ballet and Kung Fu. He later studied Wing Chun in Los Angeles. Afterward, he married actress Deborah Falconer. However, the couple divorced in 2004. Downey and Falconer have a daughter, Indio, born on February 7, 2012.
Downey’s family is a mix of German and English ancestry. His cousin is stunt performer Ted Aukerman. Also, Downey is a big sneaker fan. He owns a $3.8 million home in Malibu, California. This house has three bedrooms and a spacious living area. There’s also a putting green and a mini golf course.
In addition to acting, Downey has worked on several other projects. He wrote eight songs for his album, The Futurist. He also voiced the character of “The Devil” on God, the Devil and Bob (2000).
