Robert Downey Jr.

Robert John Downey Jr., born April 4, 1965, is an American actor and producer. His films as a leading actor have grossed over $14.3 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time. He was the world's highest-paid actor annually from 2013 to 2015. Known for his versatility across roles, Downey has received an Academy Award, a Daytime Emmy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and two British Academy Film Awards. Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2008, and Forbes featured him on the Celebrity 100 in 2013 and 2014.

Born in Manhattan, New York City, Downey is the son of filmmaker Robert Downey Sr. and actress Elsie Ann Ford. Due to his father's film projects, he moved frequently during childhood across various locations in the United States and London. Exposed to drugs early by his father, he struggled with substance use from a young age. After his parents divorced when he was twelve, he lived in New York City with his mother, eventually dropping out of high school in 1982 to pursue acting full-time while working odd jobs to support himself during auditions.

Downey made his acting debut at age five in his father's film Pound (1970). His career breakthrough came with his role in John Hughes's Weird Science (1985). He went on to star in teen films associated with the Brat Pack, including his first leading role in The Pick-up Artist (1987) and a critically acclaimed performance in Less than Zero (1987). After a brief stint on Saturday Night Live, he gained major critical acclaim portraying Charlie Chaplin in Chaplin (1992), which earned him the BAFTA Award for Best Actor along with an Academy Award nomination. He subsequently appeared in films including Heart and Souls (1993), Only You (1994), and Natural Born Killers (1994).

Between 1996 and 2001, Downey faced legal issues, drug-related arrests, stays in rehabilitation facilities, and prison time. In 2000, he joined the television series Ally McBeal, winning a Golden Globe Award before being dismissed in 2001 after a further arrest. He completed court-mandated treatment and has remained sober since 2003. His return to acting included appearing in Elton John's 2001 music video "I Want Love" and starring in The Singing Detective (2003).

Downey revitalized his career and achieved global recognition starring as Tony Stark / Iron Man in ten Marvel Cinematic Universe films, beginning with a solo feature in 2008. He earned a second Academy Award nomination for Tropic Thunder (2008) and starred in Sherlock Holmes (2009). Later, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer (2023). His recent work includes the miniseries The Sympathizer (2024), his Broadway debut in McNeal (2024), and a return to Marvel as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday (2026).

Outside of acting, Downey released the jazz-pop album The Futurist (2004). Divorced from singer Deborah Falconer, he married film producer Susan Levin in 2005, with whom he co-founded the production company Team Downey. He has three children: one with Falconer and two with Levin.