Robert Downey Jr
Robert Downey Jr was born on 4 April 1965 in New York.
He is the son of experimental film-maker Robert Downey and his first appearances were in his father's films, Pound (1970), Greaser's Palace (1972), and Up The Academy (1980).
Downey Jr made his name in the eighties, when his films included: Baby It's You, Firstborn, Tuff Turf, Wierd Science, To Live and Die in L.A., Back to School, and America. Downey was also a regular on Saturday Night Live.
In 1987 Robert Downey Jr played the lead role in James Toback's The Pick-Up Artist and in the same year he played a junkie in Less Than Zero.
Downey continued to be busy and notable roles included Richard Attenborough's Chaplin (1992) for which he was nominated as best actor and Robert Altman's brilliant Short Cuts (1993), where the cast included Downey's wife, Deborah Falconer.
In April 2004 Robert Downey Jr and Deborah Falconer filed for divorce, after twelve years of marriage, although they had already been separated for eight years.
They have a son Indio and Robert Downey Jr is insistent that he has a different upbringing from his own. In an interview with The Observer Music Monthly, Downey said:
"I got my mind blown pretty young in a bunch of different ways that are now requiring a lot of therapeutic band-aids - so I couldn't, in clear conscience, expose him to anything but the artistic side of it now."
Downey goes on to comment on Indio's music taste, "He loves Coldplay and I can see the appeal. But Eminem? Well he's a genius and stuff, but where's the real musical content?"
Many critics believe that Downey's best performance was in another Toback film, Two Girls and a Guy (1998).
Downey had a drinks and drug problem that culminated in him serving a year in jail after being arrested on cocaine charges in 1999. During his time inside, Downey still managed to notch up a film credit as he he was granted day release to shoot scenes for In Dreams.
After prison, Downey got a long-running role on TV show, Ally McBeal, but he was fired in 2001 from the series after being charged with further drug offences.
In August 2005 Robert Downey Jr married Susan Levin, whom he met during the filming of Gothika, which Levin produced.
Also in 2005 Robert Downey Jr released his debut solo album The Futurist. As well as new songs, the album includes a new version of Smile, which he originally sang in Chaplin, and a duet with Jon Anderson on Yes's Your Move.
Downey's film credits in 2005 included Academy Award nominated film Good Night and Good Luck and the comedy Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
In 2006 Robert Downey Jr appeared in Fur opposite Nicole Kidman, and in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, which he also co-produced.
In 2007, Robert Downey Jr played Paul Avery in Zodiac.
Robert Downey Jr was 62nd in Channel 4's list of the 100 Greatest Movie Stars.
In 2008, Robert Downey Jr starred in the Box Office hit Iron Man. 2008 was a busy year for Downey, it also saw him appear in Charlie Bartlett, and working on Tropic Thunder and The Soloist.
Robert Downey Jr has commented:
"I think the openness that might be necessary to be a good actor can be lethal in your real life."
AskMen.com has an interesting feature on Robert Downey Jr.
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