Downey, Robert, Jr. (1965-…), is an American motion-picture and television actor. He has appeared in dozens of movies, including comedies, dramas, and action films. Downey won an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role in the movie Oppenheimer (2023). Downey also has won several Golden Globe Awards for acting.
Robert John Downey, Jr., was born on April 4, 1965, in New York City, New York. His father was a screenwriter and director, and his mother was an actress. Downey made his first motion-picture appearance in Pound (1970), which his father wrote and directed. He played the role of a puppy. As a youth, Downey attended Stagedoor Manor theater camp in Loch Sheldrake, New York.
Downey developed his motion-picture career during the 1980’s in such comedies as Weird Science (1985), Back to School (1986), and The Pick-up Artist (1987). From 1985 to 1986, he appeared regularly on the late-night television variety program “Saturday Night Live.” Downey won recognition as a dramatic actor in the movie Less Than Zero (1987), in which he played a character with a drug addiction. During the 1990’s, Downey appeared in more than 20 films, including Soapdish (1991), Chaplin (1992), Short Cuts (1993), Richard III (1995), One Night Stand (1997), and The Gingerbread Man (1998). From 1999 to 2000, Downey spent about a year in a state prison for a drug-related conviction. He later was pardoned.
Downey continued his acting career in the 2000’s. From 2000 to 2001, he acted on the television comedy series “Ally McBeal.” He appeared in the motion pictures Wonder Boys (2000); Gothika (2003); Good Night, and Good Luck (2005); Tropic Thunder (2008); Sherlock Holmes (2009); The Judge (2014); and Dolittle (2020), among many others. Downey also starred as the title character in the “Iron Man” series of hit superhero movies, which began in 2008. He played Iron Man in several other superhero movies of the 2010’s.
In addition, Downey recorded an album titled The Futurist (2004). It includes songs written by Downey, as well as a version of a song originally composed by the early movie star Charlie Chaplin.
