Robert Downey Jr. managed to do what few actors have: overcome his personal demons and even use them to become one of, if not the, most popular actors in the world. Downey was an acting prodigy, and earned early praise, most notably for his astounding performance in 1992’s Chaplin, but then was laid low by drug and alcohol problems. He began his climb back with small parts in great films like Bowfinger and Good Night and Good Luck and the massively overlooked Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, as well as contributing to David Fincher’s masterful Zodiac in 2007. However, it was the next year that his ascent culminated when he took on the role of Tony Stark in 2008’s Iron Man (a character who he essentially IS) and jump-started the most successful franchise in movie history: The Marvel Cinematic Universe. His character has been the fulcrum of that universe (he’s appeared in some capacity in 10 of the 19 films at time of writing), and it’s hard to imagine what the MCU will look like when Downey finally hangs up the armor. Before 2008, Iron Man was a B-level hero at Marvel with little public recognition. Now the character is as recognizable worldwide as Spider-Man, Captain America or Wolverine.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Best 10
1. Zodiac (2007) Paul Avery
2. Captain America: Civil War (2016) Tony Stark/Iron Man
3. Iron Man (2008) Tony Stark/Iron Man
4. Good Night and Good Luck (2005) Joe Wershba
5. The Avengers (2012) Tony Stark/Iron Man
6. Avengers: Infinity War (2018) Tony Stark/Iron Man
7. Chaplin (1992) Charlie Chaplin
8. Tropic Thunder (2008) Sgt. Lincoln Osiris
9. Bowfinger (1999) Jerry Renfro
10. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) Tony Stark/Iron Man
Honorable Mention: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) Harry Lockhart
Oscars, Golden Globes & Emmys
Oscar Wins (0): None
Oscar Nominations (2): Chaplin (1993), Tropic Thunder (2009)
Golden Globe Wins (3): Short Cuts (1994), Ally McBeal (1997), Sherlock Holmes (2010)
Golden Globe Nominations (5): Chaplin (1993), Short Cuts (1994), Ally McBeal (1997), Tropic Thunder (2009), Sherlock Holmes (2010)
Emmy Wins (0 ): None
Emmy Nominations (1): Ally McBeal (Guest Star, 1997)
My Favorite Downey Jr. Scene:
“The Dudes are Merging” from Tropic Thunder
Next Film: Downey Jr. has said his last appearance as Tony Stark will be in Avengers 4 in May 2019. Later in 2018, he has Jamie Foxx’s All-Star Weekend. Looking further down the line, he’s developing a Perry Mason reboot series at HBO for himself to star in, also planned are a third Sherlock Holmes film and The Voyage of Doctor Doolittle (because this didn’t already destroy Rex Harrison and Eddie Murphy’s careers) in 2019.