Robert John Downey Jr. is an American actor widely recognized for his performances in blockbuster films such as Sherlock Holmes]] and Iron Man]]. Born on April 4, 1965, in Manhattan, New York City, he is the son of filmmaker, writer, producer, and director Robert Downey Sr. and dancer-singer Elsie Ford. While his mother was of German descent, his father was of Jewish ancestry. His parents divorced when he was 11 years old, and his early exposure to drugs negatively affected his education, preventing him from completing any formal schooling. Despite these difficulties, his talent enabled him to join the cast of Saturday Night Live]] at the age of 20.

Robert John Downey Jr. began his film career at the age of five in 1970, appearing in his father’s film Pound]]. Alongside acting, he also developed as a musician. He rose to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s through various successful film roles. However, his career was repeatedly interrupted by legal troubles related to substance abuse. In August 1996, he was arrested for driving under the influence, possession of heroin, and carrying an unlicensed firearm. He was sentenced to three years in prison but released under the condition of regular drug testing and treatment. A year later, he was arrested again for similar offenses and served six months in prison. After rehabilitation, he briefly returned to his former lifestyle in Malibu, leading to further setbacks. Downey Jr. has openly stated that he was first introduced to drugs by his father at the age of eight.

Robert John Downey Jr. continued struggling with addiction throughout the late 1990s, spending 180 days in prison before finally overcoming his dependency in 2000. He made a successful comeback with the television series Ally McBeal]]. However, after the first season, he was dismissed due to a relapse and only returned in a minor role during the fifth and final season after completing a year-long treatment and a three-year probation period.

In the mid-2000s, Robert John Downey Jr. worked extensively to re-establish his reputation in the film industry. He appeared in Zodiac]] (2007), directed by David Fincher. In 2008, he achieved global superstardom by portraying billionaire Tony Stark in the first installment of the Iron Man]] series, reprising the role in the 2010 and 2013 sequels. The same year, he starred in Tropic Thunder]], directed by Ben Stiller. He gained further acclaim with films such as Chaplin]], Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang]], Gothika]], and Family Guy]], earning multiple Academy Award nominations.

In 2009, Robert John Downey Jr. portrayed Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie’s adaptation of Sherlock Holmes]], starring alongside Jude Law and Rachel McAdams. He reprised the role in the 2011 sequel. In 2012, he again played Iron Man in The Avengers]], which united Marvel Comics superheroes on screen.

Alongside his acting career, Robert John Downey Jr. pursued music and released his first and only album, The Futurist]], in 2004.

Between 1984 and 1991, Robert John Downey Jr. was in a relationship with actress Sarah Jessica Parker. He has been married twice. His first marriage was to actress Deborah Falconer on May 29, 1992; they divorced on April 26, 2004, and have a son, Indio Falconer Downey (born 1993). His second marriage was to film producer Susan Levin Downey on August 27, 2005, with whom he has a child, Exton Elias Downey (born 2012).

Robert John Downey Jr. currently resides in Beverly Hills with his wife Susan Levin Downey and his son Indio Falconer Downey.

Robert Downey Jr. has received numerous awards throughout his career, recognizing both his film and television performances.

Awards:
2010 – 67th Golden Globe Awards – Best Actor (Comedy or Musical) (Sherlock Holmes)
2001 – 58th Golden Globe Awards – Best Actor in a Television Series (Ally McBeal)

Filmography and Television Work:

Producer:
2014 – The Judge (Feature Film)

Actor:
2023 – Oppenheimer (Lewis Strauss) (Feature Film)
2020 – Dolittle (Dr. John Dolittle) (Feature Film)
2019 – Avengers: Endgame (Tony Stark / Iron Man) (Feature Film)
2018 – Avengers: Infinity War (Tony Stark / Iron Man) (Feature Film)
2017 – Spider-Man: Homecoming (Tony Stark / Iron Man) (Feature Film)
2016 – Captain America: Civil War (Tony Stark / Iron Man) (Feature Film)
2015 – Avengers: Age of Ultron (Tony Stark / Iron Man) (Feature Film)
2014 – Chef (Marvin) (Feature Film)
2014 – The Judge (Hank Palmer) (Feature Film)
2013 – Iron Man 3 (Tony Stark / Iron Man) (Feature Film)
2012 – The Avengers (Tony Stark / Iron Man) (Feature Film)
2011 – Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (Sherlock Holmes) (Feature Film)
2010 – The 82nd Annual Academy Awards (Himself – Host) (TV Film)
2010 – The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards (Himself) (TV Film)
2010 – Megamind (Voice) (Feature Film)
2010 – Iron Man 2 (Tony Stark / Iron Man) (Feature Film)
2010 – Guys Choice (Himself) (TV Film)
2010 – Due Date (Peter Highman) (Feature Film)
2009 – The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards (Himself) (TV Program)
2009 – Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes) (Feature Film)
2009 – Mark at the Movies (Himself) (TV Series – Episode)
2009 – Live from Studio Five (Himself) (TV Program – 2 Episodes)
2009 – 81st Annual Academy Awards (Himself) (TV Film)
2009 – 2009 Golden Globe Awards Red Carpet (Himself) (TV Program)
2008 – The Soloist (Steve Lopez) (Feature Film)
2008 – Iron Man (Tony Stark / Iron Man) (Feature Film)
2007 – Zodiac (Paul Avery) (Feature Film)
2007 – Up Close with Carrie Keagan (Himself) (TV Series – 4 Episodes)
2007 – Charlie Wilson’s War (CIA Director) (Feature Film)
2006 – Fur (Lionel Sweeney) (Feature Film)
2006 – A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (Dito) (Feature Film)
2006 – A Scanner Darkly (James Barris) (Feature Film)
2005 – Good Night, and Good Luck (Joseph Wershba) (Feature Film)
2005 – Saturday Night Live in the ’80s (Various Roles – Archive) (TV Film)
2005 – Made in Hollywood (Himself) (TV Program – 2 Episodes)
2005 – Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Harry Lockhart) (Feature Film)
2005 – Game 6 (Steven Schwimmer) (Feature Film)
2004 – Eros (Nick Penrose) (Feature Film)
2003 – The Singing Detective (Dan Dark) (Feature Film)
2003 – Gothika (Pete Graham) (Feature Film)
2001 – The Movie Loft (Himself) (TV Program – 3 Episodes)
2000 – Wonder Boys (Terry Crabtree) (Feature Film)
1999 – Bowfinger (Jerry Renfro) (Feature Film)
1999 – In Dreams (Vivian Thompson) (Feature Film)
1999 – Friends and Lovers (Hans) (Feature Film)
1999 – Black and White (Terry Donager) (Feature Film)
1998 – U.S. Marshals (John Royce) (Feature Film)
1998 – Two Girls and a Guy (Clyde Pell) (Feature Film)
1997 – Two Girls and a Guy (Blake) (Feature Film)
1997 – Hugo Pool (Franz Mazur) (Feature Film)
1997 – One Night Stand (Charlie) (Feature Film)
1997 – Ally McBeal (Larry Paul) (TV Series)
1995 – Home for the Holidays (Tommy Larson) (Feature Film)
1995 – Restoration (Robert Merivel) (Feature Film)
1995 – Richard III (Lord Rivers) (Feature Film)
1994 – Only You (Peter) (Feature Film)
1994 – Natural Born Killers (Wayne Gale) (Feature Film)
1993 – Short Cuts (Bill Bush) (Feature Film)
1993 – Heart and Souls (Thomas Reilly) (Feature Film)
1992 – The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (Himself) (TV Program – 8 Episodes)
1992 – Chaplin (Charles Spencer Chaplin) (Feature Film)
1991 – Soapdish (David Seton Barnes) (Feature Film)
1990 – Air America (Billy Covington) (Feature Film)
1989 – True Believer (Roger Baron) (Feature Film)
1989 – That’s Adequate (Albert Einstein) (Feature Film)
1989 – Chances Are (Alex Finch) (Feature Film)
1988 – Johnny Be Good (Leo Wiggins) (Feature Film)
1988 – 1969 (Ralph Carr) (Feature Film)
1987 – The Pick-up Artist (Jack Jericho) (Feature Film)
1987 – Less Than Zero (Julian) (Feature Film)
1987 – Biography (Himself) (TV Series)
1986 – Back to School (Derek) (Feature Film)
1985 – Weird Science (Ian) (Feature Film)
1985 – Tuff Turf (Jimmy Parker) (Feature Film)
1984 – Firstborn (Lee) (Feature Film)
1981 – Entertainment Tonight (Himself) (TV Series – 32 Episodes)

Source: Biyografiler.com