Robert Downey Jr. biography, young, net worth, age, wife and kids, height 2025

Robert Downey Jr.`s Biograhpy

Robert John Downey Jr. is a Hollywood powerhouse best known for bringing Tony Stark to life in Marvel's blockbuster films, starring as Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie's action-packed adaptations, embodying Charlie Chaplin in Richard Attenborough's biographical drama, and playing crime reporter Paul Avery in the mystery-thriller «Zodiac», among many other memorable performances.

Now in his late 50s, Robert Downey Jr. has racked up more than 50 roles throughout his career, and he's definitely not slowing down anytime soon. But his journey to the top wasn't easy—he had to overcome major obstacles including drug addiction and depression. Net worth: $300 million.

Childhood and family

Robert Downey Jr. was born on April 4, 1965. He is the son of actor and underground filmmaker Robert Downey Sr. (born Robert Elias Jr.) and actress Elsie Ann Downey. He has an older sister, Alison Downey.

As the son of an underground filmmaker, Robert Downey Jr. had a childhood filled with contradictions. From a very young age, the boy was immersed in a bigger world: born in bustling New York City, he traveled to Europe with his parents as a child and lived and studied in England. As he admitted, he spent his childhood living among drug addicts and alcoholics. His own father, who struggled with addiction himself, introduced his son to marijuana at the shocking age of 6 (though some sources say he was 8).

Downey made his screen debut at the age of 5 while appearing in his father's arthouse film «Pound». The plot centers on an impending threat to 18 dogs at an animal shelter. Human actors played the animals, with Robert Downey Jr. taking on the role of a puppy.

«Pound», the first appearance of Robert Downey Jr.

In 1972 the boy made an appearance in his father's acid western cult film «Greaser's Palace». His character was a little boy who had his throat slit by another character representing Christ.

At 10, he began taking ballet classes, and at 12 he enrolled at the Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center.

When he was 13, Downey's parents got divorced. At first he stayed in New York with his mother, but soon changed his mind and moved to California to live with his father. At 16, pursuing full-time professional acting, he dropped out of high school. He relocated again, moving back to New York, where Downey began building upon theater roles, including in an off-Broadway musical «American Passion».

Early Roles

In 1984, Robert Downey Jr. starred in the drama «Firstborn» and went on to appear in several teen comedies: «Weird Science», «Back to School», «Tuff Turf», and his father's film «America».

From 1985 to 1986, he was a regular cast member of Saturday Night Live, NBC's popular late-night comedy program.

Robert Downey Jr. in Saturday Night Live

Robert landed his first lead role in 1987, playing charming ladies' man Jack Jericho who, for his own good, falls in love with a gambler's daughter in the comedy «The Pick-up Artist» co-starring Molly Ringwald.

Drug addiction

Robert Downey Jr. gained widespread recognition in 1987 with the release of the crime drama «Less Than Zero». He played Julian, a young man who becomes a cocaine addict and drug dealer, falling in with the wrong crowd and spiraling into trouble. As it later emerged, Robert's personal life eerily mirrored Julian's story during this period—Downey had begun using hard drugs.

«Less Than Zero» proved more than prophetic for Robert Downey

A drug treatment program at a rehabilitation center helped him recover temporarily, but Robert's battle with substance abuse would continue for years. Despite the swirling rumors, his career kept moving forward. In 1990, he starred in the action-comedy «Air America» alongside Mel Gibson. With roles in the comedies «Too Much Sun» and «Soapdish», he solidified his status as an A-list actor.

In 1992 «Chaplin» biographical film directed by Richard Attenborough was released. The 27-year-old Downey was cast as Charlie Chaplin. By this time, he'd earned a reputation as a controversial and hot-tempered figure in Hollywood, though his acting abilities were never in question. He would sometimes disrupt filming or clash with colleagues. Still, he prepared extensively for the role and gave everything to every scene, showcasing both comedic and dramatic talents while convincingly portraying Chaplin from age 19 to 83.

In 1993, Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of Charlie Chaplin earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

Problems with the Law

By the mid-90s, the actor's drug addiction had reached a critical point and become impossible to ignore. In June 1996 he was fired during filming of his next movie, then stopped by police and arrested for possession of cocaine, heroin and a Magnum handgun. Police found him sitting naked in his Porsche. A month later he broke into his neighbor's house.

June 1996: Robert Downey is convicted for possession of drugs and weapons

He was sentenced to one year in prison and mandatory treatment, though it didn't help. He stayed in the headlines, with tabloids feeding on his every outburst. In November 2000 Downey was arrested again – police searched his hotel room after an anonymous tip and found him with cocaine and a Wonder Woman costume.

The actor has often been in trouble with the law

The trial lasted until March 2001, and in April he was arrested for being under the influence of an «unidentified stimulant». He was put on probation, which expired in December 2002.

Downey was declared persona non grata because of his drug addiction

It's unclear whether he could have completely overcome his addiction without meeting his future wife, producer Susan Levin, in 2003. For their relationship, he made the effort to change, giving up his addictions and taking up Wing Chun, a form of Kung Fu training that helps him stay clean. Read on for more details about the actor's personal life.

Further Career

After fully recovering from years of struggling with drug addiction, Downey was able to return to the big screen. In 2000 he played a detective novelist slowly losing his mind in «The Singing Detective», memorably appeared in «Wonder Boys», starred opposite Halle Berry in the supernatural thriller «Gothika», and took the leading role in the comedy thriller «Kiss Kiss Bang Bang», co-starring Val Kilmer.

A shot from the filming of «The Singing Detective»

It was Downey's close friend Mel Gibson who helped him rebuild his career. Gibson stood by his friend despite his missteps and found him work, casting him in «The Singing Detective». These two are still very close friends.

Downey gained unique experience filming the animated science-fiction thriller «A Scanner Darkly», based on the novel of the same name by Philip K. Dick. The main character in this near-future dystopia is a drug-addicted undercover police officer played by Keanu Reeves, with Downey playing one of his closest friends.

In 2007 Downey Jr. played one of the leading roles as crime reporter Paul Avery in the mystery thriller «Zodiac», which was based on real events. The plot follows the story of a notorious serial killer who called himself the «Zodiac».

Robert Downey Jr. in Zodiac Movie

His role in the satirical action comedy «Tropic Thunder» (2008) earned Downey Jr. another Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, though the movie itself, which mocked military action movie clichés, received a cool reception.

«Iron Man» and «The Avengers»

In 2008, Downey landed the leading role in «Iron Man» and that was a real acting breakthrough, transforming him from a talented actor into a box-office Hollywood star. The first film about a genius billionaire and industrialist fighting evil in a high-tech superhero suit raised almost $600 million at the box office. Downey Jr. himself earned a fairly «modest» $500,000 for «Iron Man».

However, for the «Iron Man» sequel, Downey was paid $10 million. He became part of the Marvel Universe, earning $50 million each for «The Avengers» and «Iron Man 3», while the other Avengers - Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner, earned much less.

Iron Man. Behind the Scenes

Throughout the superhero team's history, his character has been a founding member of the Avengers: Iron Man appears in «Spider-Man: Homecoming» with Tom Holland, «Captain America: Civil War», opposing the title character, played by Chris Evans and «Avengers: Age of Ultron». Yet in the summer of 2017, Downey acknowledged that his time as Iron Man would be coming to an end: «I just want to hang up my jersey before it's embarrassing».

Robert appeared in "Avengers: Infinity War" and in "Avengers: Endgame". This final time, the Avengers united with the Guardians of the Galaxy to confront Thanos. Downey Jr. had his final exit as Tony Stark and it was a very dramatic and heart-piercing scene. Maybe we'll see him in "Black Widow", a solo film about Natasha Romanoff, but it's a prequel to the main story.

Heroic Tony Stark in «Avengers: Endgame»

Sherlock Holmes

Around the same time the first «Iron Man» film was released, Robert Downey Jr. played another cult character – the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie's adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories. As expected from the «Snatch» director, his character turned out to be not quite the traditional Sherlock, but rather a kind of 19th century James Bond. His companion Dr. John Watson was portrayed by Jude Law.

In 2011 a sequel, «Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows», was released. The third Sherlock film's script is being written, and both Downey Jr. and Law have agreed to reprise their roles.

Personal Life of Robert Downey

In 1984, 19-year-old Robert began dating actress Sarah Jessica Parker. They met on the set of the drama "Firstborn." Downey's drug addiction clearly took its toll on their relationship, and the couple broke up in 1991, barely speaking for years. It wasn't until 2015 that they finally met again, discussed old times, and reconnected nearly 30 years after their split.

Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr. dated for 7 years

In 1992 Downey Jr. met actress and model Deborah Falconer. Just 42 days later, they exchanged rings and said their wedding vows. In 1993 their son Indio was born. The marriage lasted until 2004.

Deborah Falconer was Robert Downey's first wife

Unfortunately, the struggle with substance abuse seemed to run in the family. In 2014 Indio Downey was arrested for drug possession, and his father promised to stand by him and help him get clean.

Indio, the eldest son of Robert Downey, also got involved in trouble because of drug using

In 2003, during the filming of «Gothika», the actor met producer Susan Levin. Downey, who was going through his divorce from Deborah Falconer at the time, credits Susan with helping him overcome his drug and alcohol addiction. They married in 2005, and their first child, a son named Exton Elias Downey, was born in February 2012. Two and a half years later, the couple had a daughter, Avri Roel Downey.

Susan Levin saved Downey Jr. from drug addiction

Downey Jr. is also a talented singer and artist. He released a CD in 2004 called "The Futurist," designing the album's cover art himself. He creates abstract paintings but doesn't consider it a serious pursuit.

Robert Downey Jr.– Man Like Me

Robert Downey Jr. Now

Beyond the new "Sherlock Holmes" films, Robert Downey Jr. starred in the fantasy film "The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle," based on Hugh Lofting's beloved children's book series.

The actor will also appear in an upcoming biographical film about Kansas charlatan John Brinkley.

Robert Downey Jr.: latest news and articles

Both upcoming "Avengers" movies have been postponed

23 May 2025

Aging Robert Downey Jr. shared a photo from the set of the new `Avengers`

14 May 2025

Margaret Clark

It`s great that Robert Downey Jr. was able to overcome his hard period of life and came on the top of the Hollywood.

2021-05-09 11:10:59
Patrick Luis Watson

In my opinion Robert Downey Jr. as a Sherlock is very great. Guy Ritchie might not find better actor for this role.

2021-04-19 13:04:48
Jeanette Perry

Robert Downey Jr. is a charismatic and talented actor. His abilities to play funny character in `Chaplin` and fantastic `Iron Man` are incredible.

2021-04-03 21:05:53
Richard Sullivan

As long as I watch to Robert Downey Jr. I understand more that his biography (issues with law and problems with drugs) and his career success almost like Johnny Depp and they also looks alike as brothers.

2021-04-01 12:18:14
Danielle Williams

For me handsome Robert Downey Jr. always will be Tony Stark from Marvel comics, it`s his stellar role!

2021-02-15 20:20:10

Photos: Robert Downey Jr.