C · ROBERT DOWNEY JR
The Iron Man who didn’t need suit
to fly to the top
TEXT MADISON GERARD PHOTO DISNEY-SAM JONES / MARVEL / WIREIMAGE
Robert Downey Jr.’s story has a touch of Cinderella, a bad boy past, and now repertoire of box office hits along with the award nominations to prove that he is truly Hollywood’s king. He starred in his first film at the ripe age of five. Since then he has seen dark days, but at the age of 48 he is nothing short of in his prime. Downey Jr. as described by Kevin Feige, his Producer in the summer blockbuster Iron Man 3, is the “biggest star in the world.”
Downey Jr. was born in Manhattan to Robert Downey Sr., a actor/writer/producer/cinematographer/director of underground films and Elsie an actress. With his genes, it seems as though he was destined to be a part of the film industry from the word go. Downey Jr. stared in his father’s film “Pound” when most children are starting kindergarten, and ever since then he has continually risen to the top, but that wasn’t without struggle and set back. For about two decades Downey Jr. struggled with drug and alcohol addiction and run-ins with the law. He even served 12 months in a California prison for failing to show up to court ordered drug tests.
Downey Jr.’s battle with substance abuse and jail stints are seemingly over and he has persistently been turning out movie hit after movie hit ever since. Downey credits his current wife, Susan, for
his successful recovery from drug use. Susan, formerly the Executive Vice President of Production at Silver Productions has now stepped down to work more closely with her husband. The power duo launched a production company appropriately named Team Downey in 2010. Continuing the list of their accomplishments, the couple welcomed Exton, their first child, together in February of 2012.
Since his recovery Downey Jr. has let his star power shine, starring in several critically acclaimed roles. He is a two-time Academy Award nominee and is suspected to become a winner soon. He has starred in too many movies to list, and is on track to break the record for the single biggest payday in Hollywood history for his continuing role as Tony Stark in the fourth and fifth installments of “Iron Man. “ This month marks the premier of “Iron Man 3.” Downey Jr. for the third time plays Iron Man Tony Stark opposite Gwyneth Paltrow, who plays his love interest Pepper Potts, in the new release.
The film, along with Downey Jr.’s performance, directed by Shane Black was greatly anticipated after “Marvel’s The Avengers” record-breaking release last summer. The genius, inventor and super hero that is Tony Stark will continue his epic adventures in the third installment. “Iron Man 3”