Robert John Downey Jr. was born on April 4, 1965. He is a celebrated actor and producer. His success has remained constant regardless of the battles he has faced with substance abuse. From 2013 through to 2015, Forbes magazine named him the highest-paid actor in Hollywood. In 1992, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor and even won a BAFTA Award after portraying the title character in the biography of Chaplin. It is an honor to celebrate his birthday.
Fast Facts
Birth date:
April 04, 1965
Age:
59 years
Zodiac Sign:
Aries
Background
Robert Downey Jr. is celebrated globally. He is known especially for his role as “Tony Stark/ Iron Man”. This is a character he starred as, in the 10 films with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He was born on April 4, 1965, in Manhattan, New York City to his father, Robert Downey Sr., an actor and filmmaker, and his mother, Elsie Ann, an actress featured in Downey Sr.’s films. They were only two siblings, his older sister, Allyson, and himself. They grew up in Greenwich Village. His father introduced him to drugs early on as a child as this is how they bonded. They would abuse marijuana together, something his father later said he regretted doing. It marked the beginning of a long struggle with substance and drug abuse for Downey Jr. which he later overcame.He started acting at the tender age of five years in his father’s film, “Pound”. He then worked in the teen films, “Weird Science” and “Less Than Zero” in 1985 and 1987. He lived in England briefly at the age of 10 and studied classical ballet as a portion of an extensive curriculum. He also attended the Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center which is in upstate New York. In 1992, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor because of the way he portrayed the main character in the biography of Chaplin. This also won him a BAFTA Award.He gained worldwide recognition because of his role as “Tony Stark/ Iron Man”, debuting in 2008. He also starred in Sherlock Holmes in 2009 and its sequel, “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”, and this won him his second Golden Globe Award. The first one was for his role in the TV series Ally McBeal. His struggle with substance abuse cost him several projects but after staying in a court-ordered drug treatment program, he overcame it. He has been sober since 2003.
Career timeline
Downey Jr. debuts his career by featuring in his father’s film, “Pound”.
Due to his portrayal of the main character of the biography “Chaplin”, he is nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor and wins a BAFTA Award as well.
He stars in the Marvel 10 films of Iron Man as “Tony Stark/ Iron Man”.
He features in Sherlock Holmes as the main character and its sequel, and this role wins him a Golden Globe Award.
Robert Downey Jr. FAQs
Is Robert Downey Jr. vegan?
Yes, he keeps to a plant-based diet.
Is Robert Downey Jr. retired?
No, he is not. But he is retiring from Marvel, not Hollywood!
Is Tony Stark coming back?
No, the actor has confirmed that he will not be back.
5 Surprising Facts
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His father changed their family name
His father changed their family name, Elias, to enlist in the army.
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He was roommates with Keifer Sutherland
He was roommates with Keifer Sutherland for three years and later shared the screen with him in the drama, “1969”.
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He has been arrested
Downey Jr. has been arrested several times on drug-related charges including cocaine and marijuana.
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He is a singer
He has sung on various soundtracks for his films, his most successful recording project being the remake of Joni Mitchell, 1973 Christmas song “River”.
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He is friends with Mel Gibson
Downey Jr. and Mel Gibson have always been close friends since “Air America” in which they both starred.
Why We Love Robert Downey Jr.
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He is religious
He is very religious and always seeks to learn more about different religious beliefs. He describes himself as a Jewish Buddhist, and it is said he came to this decision by consulting astrologers.
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He is a fighter
Despite his long battles and struggles with drugs and substance abuse, he finally overcame all of it and has been sober since 2003. He gives credit to his wife, family, and therapy for helping him get out of his addiction.
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He is loyal
His friendship with Mel Gibson has withstood much and is still strong. They have publicly defended each other and stood for each other’s honor. Downey Jr. stated that nobody is perfect when he was asked about Gibson’s DUI and Gibson went on record saying that Downey Jr. was one of the first people to offer him the hand of friendship.
Robert Downey Jr.’s birthday dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 4 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | April 4 | Thursday |
| 2025 | April 4 | Friday |
| 2026 | April 4 | Saturday |
| 2027 | April 4 | Sunday |
