- 5/6/2025
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00he's a hard worker drives you hard and wants to get the absolute max out of every moment
00:16never settles but he's incredibly inventive and full of fantastic stories and he's a sweetheart
00:23I'm so full of respect and admiration for him when we think of a prolific yet tumultuous career in
00:31Hollywood a name stands out amongst the crowd in a roller coaster of events from stardom rock bottom
00:39and returning as one of the most well-known actors in the industry thanks to his incredible portrayal
00:45of his roles and charismatic demeanor from his hardships to his incredible retribution
00:52this is Robert Downey Jr now first of all Robert um back as Sherlock back as Iron Man what is it
01:18about those two characters the two franchises that kind of it just draws you back in
01:21Robert was born on the 4th of April 1965 in Greenwich Village New York his mother Elsie Downey was an
01:36actress and his father Robert Downey Sr was an underground yet fearless visionary director
01:42who would go to set the standards for countercultural comedy in the 1960s and 70s
01:48do you always feel like you could let the actors go or is that something you came around no no no no
01:52you mean all my whole life yeah well a lot of times I've worked with non-actors and that's kind of
01:58interesting too because you get what you get and once in a while if you try and force them into what
02:03conventional acting is they don't know what to do so that's kind of frustrating with these guys
02:07you can kind of arrive and realize an idea and then ask for another one and they're more than ready
02:14and then they'll add another one and it's just especially with some of these guys I mean it was
02:21just it was hard to pick what what to pick in the editing it was hard though his original surname was
02:28Elias the Downey name came to light once his father enlisted in the army Robert grew up with his sister
02:35Allison and being surrounded by the yards began to pick up an interest in acting and music from a young age
02:55Robert's close relationship with his father Robert Downey Sr landed the young Robert a role in his
03:01father's film Pound in 1970 this would be Robert's first appearance on screen playing the role of a sick dog
03:10and we go upstairs there's no more furniture the roof's gone and so's my hair that tornado scared me so
03:19much it made my hair disappear have any hair on your balls well that's were you were you improvising back
03:32then or because that line seemed a little unorthodox for a five-year-old I didn't I I still god bless my dad yeah
03:41yeah is it easier or more difficult to work easier because he's my dad you know he knows me so well
03:51and also I think he genuinely is concerned with nothing but my well-being as an artist with
04:00in in this art form so he has no other he has no agenda other than
04:07helping me explore myself and in this case the darker more twisted aspects of my
04:12my my psyche does he push you or do you want he pushes me easier you know it's like he he knows I'm
04:23gonna do give a thousand percent and he just kind of sets the stage for me yeah he expects a lot you
04:30know expect a lot unfortunately the young Robert's childhood was not one of stability drugs surrounded the
04:40young boy and his sister throughout their household and by the age of just seven years old Robert Downey
04:46senior would offer his son a joint of marijuana and young Robert reciprocated
04:58unfortunately such experience would act as a gateway for Robert and this would go on to be the greatest
05:05regret his father ever possessed knowing almost immediately but it was a terrible decision at the
05:13age of 13 Robert's parents would get divorced his sister Allison would move to an alternative boarding
05:20school in Vermont whilst Downey Jr. would move from New York to Los Angeles California with his father
05:35the idea of school didn't sit well for the young Robert with the inspirations from his family still
05:42lingering in 1982 he dropped out of Santa Monica High to pursue his dream of a full-time acting career now
05:5118 Robert returned to his roots in New York rather than break into Hollywood on one level of just I'm
05:59happy I'm happy to be a working actor you know the odds for that going on are pretty slim and on the
06:07other hand I felt like I never really paid that much attention and I think part of that was from wanting
06:13to be cavalier or or non-committal so if it all blew up in my face I could say well that's not what I
06:20want to do anyway you know it's a certain point this sentence came in my head of you can't do that you
06:28know and it seemed to really make sense it didn't seem like it was really you know the devil's
06:32advocate part of me doing it like it was just the logical part doing it so you know I mean you felt
06:38like me to the point where you just kind of felt like running the other way you mean sure sure I mean
06:42you put on it put on a trap outfit you know and like and go try to you know make it where you just
06:49go like you know there aren't it's not often it's possible he chose to work on small productions such
06:58as first born in 1984 here Robert would get his first glimpse at romance he met Sarah Jessica Parker
07:07on set and the two were immediately smitten with one another they would soon form a loving relationship
07:13and the couple moved into a house within only weeks after meeting over time his former co-star
07:29and lover Sarah would become more and more concerned of Robert's behavior as it became apparent a serious
07:36drug habit was forming eventually she felt supporting him was more akin to being a mother than a
07:43girlfriend in 1985 Robert joined the cast for Saturday Night Live following the return of host Lauren
07:56Michaels alongside Robert the new cast would go on to include Dennis Miller John Lovitz and Anthony Michael
08:04Hall all of whom were selected to boost the show's ratings in the same year Robert had acting
08:24breakthroughs while working on tough turf and weird science though not a core member he would go on to
08:31be associated with the Brat Pack a group of young actors predominantly featured in the John Hughes
08:37American teen films like I think it makes me feel so good that you for lack of a better term you escape
08:44the clutches of that so-called Brat Pack thing where you're on your own as an actor does that bother you
08:49when you're when you're associated with those people that they're down here yeah he's one of those guys
08:53who's whatever well it's funny because I've never been in the room with any of them you know what I mean
08:58but uh yeah I guess I don't know you know I'm just you know whatever well you know what I mean what I'm
09:07saying is that a lot of people think that you're just associated with just a group of young young
09:11guys who came along at a certain time and doing though that certain kind of movie yeah and that's
09:19not I mean does that does that bother you when people do that when they I don't know I think what
09:24bothers me is when I'm not happy with my work in a film and everything else is pretty much secondary
09:28I mean you know career-wise I mean he attended the premieres with Sarah Jessica Parker at such time
09:36his addiction to drugs and alcohol only worsened thanks to his rising popularity it was starting to
09:44become extremely difficult for her to hold on with his ever-growing wild lifestyle
09:49his career was a crescendo flying higher and higher into stardom in 1987 Robert secured his first lead
10:06role in the feature film the pickup artist from here Robert Downey Jr. would make a performance that
10:13would ultimately foreshadow his emotional decline he gave an incredibly memorable performance in less
10:20than zero a film adaptation of Brett Easton Ellis's novel the film depicted Robert as Julian a rich kid
10:29whose life is led astray derailed due to his severe heroin addiction he becomes cut off from his family and is
10:37reduced to a homeless junkie dying from heart failure a role which would unfortunately go on to closely
10:45mirror Robert's own life Robert was surrounded by people who loved and supported him Laurie Rodkin his
11:00first manager would often lie about Robert's sobriety in order to maintain Downey's career
11:06lawyer Laurie begged Robert to attend rehab which Robert did only to return and fire Laurie despite
11:15being fired Laurie claimed her attempts were worthwhile stating every day I look in the newspaper and think
11:22I'm going to read Robert's obituary in 1991 Robert's girlfriend of seven years Sarah Jessica Parker broke up
11:34with Robert it was a long internal struggle as she feared without her interference and support he
11:42would most certainly kill himself in order to test his artistic limits and fight against his ongoing
11:54addiction Robert would try out for one of the most prestigious roles of his career and with a great deal of
12:01expectations and social pressure the 26 year old would play Charlie Chaplin in the 1992 film Chaplin a role
12:11he prepared for vigorously such as learning how to play violin and tennis left-handed his posture and
12:18physical demeanor needed a complete renovation in order to transform into this much loved individual but I
12:25mean that that was so real to me in the beginning I mean that feeling that I sensed that you would live
12:30that too in the sense talking about depression about feeling bad about yourself did you go through periods of
12:36that well yeah I had to do this movie I was like you know it all of all of my fear and everything came up for
12:44before doing this film before doing this film because this was like saying are you can you really do what
12:50you've always hoped and wanted to do so it's like you know it was like a real judgment day for me what did you
12:58hope and want to do I hoped I could I could bring him to life on screen and I wanted to I wanted to do it for
13:12for for myself and for Richard who had had the faith to to give me the opportunity well I mean it's
13:19it's quite a challenge I mean I remember reading a essay by a max Senate a long time ago and he said
13:23something like Charlie Chaplin Charlie Chaplin he's simply the greatest artist in the history of the world I
13:29feel the same way but I couldn't think that way when I was doing it I'd think of relaxing and and
13:39and but luckily there was a Richard brought a lot of really smart people on to help me people who
13:49are really the best and and in so many different areas that that I felt really supported and I felt
13:55really you know like as safe as I was going to feel on release the feature garnered Robert huge critical
14:04success he was nominated for the Academy Award for best actor and won a BAFTA for his outstanding performance
14:12well first of all congratulations thank you very well deserved nomination oh thank you um what's the
14:19meaning what does it mean to you the nomination the part of being involved well I I think it means
14:26that uh that Richard Attenborough really uh helped uh helped craft something you know I guess special
14:32enough for people to appreciate it and it's about Charlie Chaplin and watching Charlie Chaplin movies and
14:37that's why we made it now do you think about winning about chances what what is your attitude so is that
14:43when you're competing with four other actors I don't know well Chaplin used to say that he
14:48that it that these kind of things implied that people were um in competition with each other
14:54but rather I think it's just you know I don't I don't know what to think it's my first it's my first
15:00time well hope to see you in the press room for the award oh thank you thank you
15:05uh picking up my clothes and uh no what I mean the enjoyment is also that you realize wow you know
15:20that uh that I'm I really am in this for the long run and that I that you know I'm going to be right
15:26that I intend to do this for a long time and I intend to get more involved and and hopefully
15:31my integrity will flourish and so you know something happened and and again it really was
15:36largely Richard Attenborough's confidence in me and and his you know his body work helped me have
15:42confidence in myself skills did you feel like it was like the whole lifetime as far as you having to
15:47put more into this role than maybe other roles in your past sure I think you know you say uh for the last
15:5410 years I was thinking why don't I ever get those why don't I ever and then I got it you know and
15:59then it's a it's a very different thing was being offered the role uh from actually doing it so yeah
16:05with this rise in success Robert's personal life was beginning to garner wide public attention
16:11and soon the media were very aware of Robert's ongoing struggle with drug use
16:17perfect is only you the perfect date movie to see with your lovely wife Deborah
16:21Robert would marry Deborah Falconer who gave birth to their son Indio Falconer Downey
16:32following this Robert dug a hole to dispose of his original costume from less than zero
16:39his vow to remove drugs from his life ended in 1994 as Robert returned to cocaine ecstasy and alcohol
16:48though Indio remains a huge part of Robert's life Robert was not in the correct state of mind and his
16:56wife Deborah sought to raise their child despite her husband's health in 1995 for the first time in
17:04Robert's life he would take black tar heroin
17:13Robert!
17:22Robert! Robert! Robert! Robert! Robert!
17:28The young Downy found himself out of control, referring to himself as a lovable tornado,
17:43going from film sets to rehab daily.
17:46Robert would be disappointed with his performances and slowly began to lose interest in the quality
17:52of his work.
17:53I felt like I never really paid that much attention.
17:56And I think part of that was from wanting to be cavalier or non-committal, so if it all
18:04blew up in my face, I could say, wow, that's not what I wanted to do anyway, you know?
18:09Robert's wife, Deborah, left with his son, Indio.
18:12Following this, Robert would also lose his home in Malibu.
18:16From 1996, he would be couchsurfing from one sketchy location to another, his condition
18:28worsening each day.
18:31He would go on to get kicked out of an apartment for losing the key, and he was pulled over
18:36for speeding in his Porsche.
18:39The officers found Robert was completely naked, hallucinating, and is reported to have been
18:44trying to throw imaginary rats at the officers.
18:48On another occasion, he was discovered curled up in a fetal position behind a grungy L.A. hotel.
18:56For the first time in Robert's life, he was arrested.
19:00Robert was speeding in his black Ford Explorer along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.
19:06The officers discovered 0.42 grams of heroin, 1.49 grams of cocaine, and 0.32 grams in crack.
19:16He also had an unloaded .357 Magnum in the car, with four bullets in the glove box.
19:23Whilst awaiting trial, he was arrested once more, after wandering into a neighbor's residence
19:28in Malibu.
19:30After stripping to his underwear, he climbed into the empty bed of the neighbor's young
19:35child.
19:36In the morning, the neighbor was shocked to discover Robert curled up in her son's bed,
19:42and after attempting to wake him, called the police immediately.
19:45What are you doing?
19:46I was a strange man in my child's bed.
19:49He's unconscious.
19:51He was completely out of it.
19:55Robert required immediate resuscitation by medics at the USC Medical Center.
20:00Judge Lawrence Myra ordered him to undergo a 24-hour drug rehabilitation program at the
20:07Exodus Recovery Center in Marina del Rey.
20:09It wasn't long before Robert escaped through the bathroom window and hitchhiked back to his
20:16home.
20:18Just four hours later, Robert was recaptured and jailed for nine days, after which he was
20:25supervised in rehab.
20:26On the 11th September 1996, Robert Downey Jr. pleaded no contest to felony drug possession
20:35and misdemeanor charges of possessing a weapon and driving under the influence.
20:40I said, Robert, I believe that you had bipolar disorder.
20:46He said, yes, I do have bipolar disorder.
20:49There are periods of times that I just, I'm so hyper, and I spend a lot of money.
20:55I'm irritable, and there are periods of times that I go down.
21:00That concludes, we see.
21:02For past several years, he's just going through the revolving door of rehab program and being
21:08arrested, which is too sad, such a bright person, and he's not a criminal.
21:14He's a victim of the drugs.
21:21Robert would remain in rehab for six more months, where he was required to submit drug
21:26tests frequently and attend daily meetings.
21:30In December 1997, Robert was sent to the L.A. County Men's Central Jail after his counselor
21:37testified about a missed drug test in October.
21:40During his jail time, Robert was subjected to many fights and vicious beatings, reportedly
21:50waking up in a pool of his own blood.
21:53He was a target due to his celebrity status and being a pretty boy.
21:58He received a severe gash from an argument with three other inmates and needed to be moved
22:04to solitary confinement for his own safety.
22:07After 113 days, Robert was released and immediately checked into a 120-day rehab program, where
22:17Robert remained on probation.
22:19The judge ruled for a 24-strict rehabilitation center.
22:24Watch out.
22:25This grass thing back here.
22:27Excuse me.
22:27Can we get to court?
22:29You will.
22:29Please.
22:29That's all we want.
22:30You're welcome.
22:31Thanks.
22:33Thank you, Robert.
22:34Jesus.
22:35What?
22:36I'm running out of resources to keep you out of state prison.
22:40I'm going to incarcerate you in a way that's very unpleasant for you.
22:44I'm doing that because I believe if you understand that's where you're going, maybe it'll save your
22:50life.
22:50Following this, Robert would then be sent to the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility
23:04and State Prison in Corcoran, California.
23:08The climate of the prison was much harsher than the previous state penitentiary.
23:12Guard towers surrounded the walls, and Charles Manson was located in the maximum security wing
23:20next door.
23:22With such a hostile environment, Robert was extremely frightened.
23:27The experience at the penitentiary was scarring.
23:31Robert would attempt to survive by keeping his head down and performing his duties, often
23:36being scolded and harassed by other inmates, such as when Downey was given death threats
23:41simply for spitting into the sink while brushing his teeth.
23:46Were you afraid?
23:47I was, the first day, I was kind of scared, yeah.
23:50Yeah.
23:51Yeah, and there was a lot of stuff that happened that doesn't bear mentioning because things
23:54are violent, and there's certain things that you do when you enter that system that you
23:58wouldn't care to do on the street, but it's part of the deal.
24:02Robert struggled.
24:04Not being able to be a father to his son took a mental toll.
24:08It was heartbreaking to tell Indio the truth about his incarceration, and debated lying to
24:14his wife, Deborah, stating he wanted to tell Indio he was going to Yugoslavia to become a
24:19spy, until Deborah eventually made him tell the truth.
24:34Finally, in the year 2000, Robert was released from prison.
24:38Having served his time, and with a stroke of luck, was able to sign on to Ali McBeal.
24:44A television drama series.
24:47Soon after, he was arrested in the Palm Springs Hotel, under the influence of Valium and cocaine.
24:54Miraculously, he managed to sign on for more episodes of Ali McBeal, despite a possible four-year sentence looming over him.
25:21Sadly, his attempted retribution did not come to pass, as in April 2001, Robert was found wandering around Culver City, barefoot.
25:34Cocaine was found in his system.
25:36Though he was released, the Ali McBeal executives fired Downey from the show, and his wife, Deborah, officially divorced.
25:45Though she allowed visitations for Indio, the stress procured from her ex-husband was far too difficult to maintain.
25:54Downey pleaded no contest to the charges which loomed over him.
25:58During this period, California Proposition 36 was passed, a proposition which assisted in sending drug offenders to rehab, as opposed to jail.
26:10Due to this, Downey was sentenced to three years of probation and drug rehabilitation.
26:16Understanding Robert's situation, Elton John lent a gracious helping hand.
26:39Giving Robert a job lip-syncing for the music video of his song, I Want Love.
26:44The public would often say this was the kickstart to Robert's new life.
26:50It was clear that upon returning to Hollywood, Robert possessed no financial safety.
26:56His wife had left him, and he had no home to return to.
26:59It was thanks to Mel Gibson, who put a roof over Robert's head.
27:10Mel would provide him food and shelter.
27:13Gibson gave Robert the opportunity to play a role intended for Gibson himself in The Singing Detective.
27:20Not only this, Mel paid for Robert's full insurance bond.
27:24It's Downey, wave, wave, wave, wave.
27:38Downey made his return to the mainstream industry with Gothica.
27:44Joel Silver, the producer, would refuse to pay Robert 40% of his salary until the production had wrapped, as insurance for Robert's past misdemeanors.
27:55On the set of Gothica, Robert met Susan Nicole Levin, an executive vice president for Silver Pictures.
28:03The two hit it off, and Susan remained skeptical that his advances would continue after the production.
28:10But Robert, smitten, would continue to meet with her.
28:15After forming a loving relationship, Robert proposed to Susan on November 5th, the night before her 30th birthday.
28:23The two were married in August 2005, a Jewish ceremony taking place in Amagansett, New York.
28:32Slowly, but surely, Robert was beginning to rise once more, obtaining huge attention for his leading role in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,
28:42a directorial debut of Shane Black, who would remain a close friend and colleague until this day.
28:48Robert was an angel. Aside from, you know, standing this close all the time, so he just stares right in your eye.
28:57He's just looking at you to gauge that you're on the same page.
29:02He doesn't want condescension or solicitude. Least of all does he want your pity.
29:06He wants to do the job. Tell him what to do. Tell him the task.
29:09And like a true pro, he will execute whatever assignment you give him, and that's all he wants to do now, is just do the job.
29:16And he is an expert. He is a pro. And it was a joy to watch.
29:21Kilmer, same way. We did this movie in 35 days. That's the proof of the pudding.
29:26If any one of these guys had even been the least of a nuisance or a trouble, we could never have finished the movie.
29:34They were just as devoted as can be. Everybody in this film needed the film.
29:38Robert's son, Indio, would also go on to star in the film at the age of nine, which remains his only acting credit.
29:48Robert appeared in Zodiac, directed by David Fincher.
29:52He played the role of San Francisco Chronicle journalist Paul Avery, reporting the Zodiac killer case.
30:00Why was it important to you to be in this film?
30:01Well, I thought it would be fun, believe it or not.
30:07And Fincher's a great filmmaker.
30:12Made a great friend in Jake, and Mark and I have known each other for a while, and Anthony Edwards has always been one of my favorites.
30:21I just thought it would be a blast.
30:22Do you think this film will shed a new light on the case?
30:26I think anytime you have something that's historical fiction, although there's a lot of accuracy in it, there's nothing definitive.
30:34But I think what it will do is retell a story that was and still is in a lot of people's psyche and the kind of the American unconscious, you know?
30:44Do you think people will leave the theater being haunted by the story?
30:49If we did our job, they will.
30:50Thank you very much.
30:52Thanks.
30:55From this point on, it was time for Robert's career to hit high altitudes.
31:20Open your eyes.
31:27What can you see around?
31:30Wind of the open sky
31:32Over the siren sounds
31:36This is a dream
31:40Getting the royal scar
31:42Holding a diamond blade
31:46Throwing it far
31:48Holding your breath still
31:54You, John, the fire
31:56We'll just sit and wait till
32:00You see me fly
32:02You know they'll never catch me for it
32:04You see me fly
32:05The way I put my finger on it
32:07You see me fly
32:08Well, as far as I'm concerned, he's the Frank Sinatra of the Marvel Universe.
32:13One guy
32:14You see me fly
32:15You know they'll never catch me for it
32:17You see me fly
32:18The way I put my finger on it
32:21You see me fly
32:22You got it
32:23Then try to tell me you got the wrong guy
32:27Despite the critical success, Robert had not starred in a blockbuster film.
32:32This all changed the day he took on the role as Tony Stark in Iron Man.
32:39The film catapulted Robert, turning him into a household name due to the popularity of the incoming Marvel Cinematic Universe.
32:46I go to Japan, I go there and go, please, a small problem with your passport makes up to some incredible criminal people.
32:59I'm like, yeah, yeah, but I'm going to go, well, you did not make a claim of said activity.
33:04I was like, oh, look, I'm attired.
33:07How long, 16 months, blah, blah, blah, do you know the name?
33:10With the first infraction you had, 1995, I was like, you know what?
33:15I, it's hard for me to hold on because I've been arrested so many times.
33:19Now, Robert, of course, is brilliant as Tony Stark and lots of people say he was born to play him.
33:25This is, I think, the role of a lifetime for him.
33:27A lot of people thought Chaplin was.
33:29I happen to think this guy was born to be Tony Stark.
33:31And why is that?
33:32Well, because, you know, Robert's grown up in the public eye.
33:37Everything good and bad that's happened in his life, everybody's seen.
33:40And Tony Stark, he's a guy who's also grown up in the public eye.
33:44He's a genius.
33:44Everybody appreciates his talent.
33:47But the fact of the matter is, I think, I think that Robert Downey Jr.,
33:52he's an improviser, so he brings a certain spontaneous, you know, aspect to the humor.
33:57And I think he finds the real humanity in a character that could otherwise be a two-dimensional comic book figure.
34:03Yeah.
34:04One, two, three!
34:05Oh, yeah.
34:06I want one of these laminates.
34:23Do you like to talk about it?
34:27Downey would continue to branch outward during his time with Marvel.
34:32He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor thanks to his portrayal
34:37of the eccentric, yet partially controversial method actor, Kirk Lazarus.
34:44As the early 2000s passed by, Robert would continue to remain an inspiration to both inspiring actors
34:51and recovering addicts.
34:53It's easy to embrace hopelessness.
35:01Do you still get urges to do drugs?
35:03I have not even an inkling of a desire.
35:07It's not that difficult to overcome these seemingly ghastly problems.
35:12You are saying that it's not that difficult?
35:14No.
35:15What's hard is to decide.
35:17Oh.
35:18And to say, you know, it's not, I don't want to be.
35:20That's big.
35:21That's big.
35:22Robert, according to the press release here, it says, Robert Downey Jr. brings the legendary detective
35:27to life as he's never been portrayed before.
35:30What exactly have you got planned?
35:32Yes.
35:33You mean in how I'm going to portray it?
35:35Yes.
35:36Well, I guess clearly I'm going to do it better than it's ever been done.
35:41He starred as the titular character in Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes in 2009, before donning
35:48his Iron Man suit once again in 2010.
35:52Joel started my career 25 years ago, a movie called Weird Science.
35:57And, yeah, and here we are.
36:04And then I met my wife working for Joel again.
36:10And here we are.
36:11And in case you aren't aware, I had a hell of a summer.
36:16It's made me much more viable to play a lead role than I might have in the past.
36:23And I thought the idea of Guy and the way that his directing style and his strengths with
36:30a kind of very staid, you know, iconoclastic period idea like this was just kind of a no
36:39loose situation.
36:40And then having the likes of Mark and Rachel and Kelly and Mr. Jude Law and the cast, I
36:49just felt like it was the kind of thing you just can't turn down.
36:53And I've been proven right.
36:54We're just so excited about this.
36:56And where's your dad?
36:58No idea.
36:59When's the last time you saw him?
37:011977.
37:02He had his bags packed by the front door and he picked them up, put them in the back
37:09of his car, and drove away.
37:11Last time I ever saw him.
37:15That is so funny!
37:29Oh my gosh!
37:30My dad would never do that.
37:32He loved me.
37:33Well, I think that it's the irreverence that makes this movie.
37:39And quite honestly, Bachelor Party movies have been done too.
37:42But The Hangover had a certain kind of reverence and a darkness underneath it that is what I
37:47feel like I bring.
37:48So to me that was, you know, the approach on due date.
37:54If I miss the birth of my child, I'm going to choke you out with your own scarf.
37:59Wrap that thing around your neck and choke you out.
38:01Because honestly, I'm really fortunate at this point in my career.
38:05I'm not just going to go be derivative.
38:08And I think that's why Iron Man kind of worked out well as we did something a little bit different
38:13with that genre.
38:14So we like playing with genres and we like not trying to improve on them, but just try to
38:19take them in a slightly different direction.
38:21I love movies.
38:22So when I go to films, I expect to not be sold the same soap over and over again.
38:26So I'm just trying to give the same respect to the audience that I expect as a movie lover.
38:31Where do you see filming one on one with Robin?
38:34Yeah, Robert's an intense guy.
38:36And but, you know, there was a lot of laughing and he's a very opinionated guy.
38:45And I like that.
38:47I like that he hates, you know, he has a lot, a lot of experience and I don't.
38:54So I like to listen to the, about his experience over and over again.
39:00That's the other reason.
39:01Did you feel that you learned a lot from him?
39:03Yes, absolutely.
39:04That's the whole thing is that, you know, Robert and I are not even that different in age,
39:08but as far as our work experience in the movies, there's a vast difference.
39:15So, you know, I even got kind of choked up the other day and told him how much that I appreciate
39:22him, you know, guiding me along on this movie.
39:28And I really am very fond of him.
39:30As partners, not only by love, but business, Robert and his wife Susan decided to open their
39:36own production company called Team Downie, making their first project, The Judge, in 2012.
39:44Undoubtedly, the couple hold the arts in high regard and continue to provide a platform for
39:49original storytelling.
39:51After the release of The Avengers, currently the ninth highest grossing film worldwide,
40:11Robert's second son, Exton Downie, was born.
40:14His middle name?
40:16Elias, in respect of Robert's family lineage and his father.
40:23Sadly, in 2014, Robert's firstborn, Indio, was arrested for the possession of cocaine and
40:30drug paraphernalia.
40:32He agreed to go on a rehabilitation program after being pulled over by the police.
40:39Robert, after his own life experience, chose to support Indio throughout the ordeal, ensuring
40:45his child didn't take the same path as he did.
40:50With the support of his family, Indio passed his rehab without flaw, directed by his parents
40:56to follow his own path and remain mindful along the way.
41:01No doubt, the past would always haunt Robert, and dealing with the media would remain a hardship.
41:07I took turns doing it and it was wonderful.
41:14By the end, I was making the baby do it.
41:17I had more talcum up my nose, more powder up my nose than Robert Downey Jr.
41:22But he's becoming a much more likable character as well, isn't he?
41:27A better man.
41:28Yeah, he's becoming a better guy.
41:30You know, in a way that you are as well, I suppose.
41:33Uh, sure.
41:35I mean, what I'd really like to, I'd really like to ask you about a quote you gave to the
41:39New York Times.
41:40Um, and I don't want to pry, so if you don't want to talk about it, that's fine.
41:44But what you said to the New York Times once was, it was about, it was after your incarceration,
41:49you said, you can't go from a $2,000 a night hotel suite to a penitentiary and understand
41:56it and come out a liberal.
41:58And I just wondered what you meant by that.
42:00Things that you said five, seven years ago or things you said in an interview that made
42:05sense to you at the time, I could pick that, I could pick that apart for two hours and be
42:10no closer to the truth than I'd be giving you some half-assed answer right now.
42:14I couldn't even really tell you what a liberal is, so therein lies the answer to your question.
42:20Does that mean you're not a liberal or that you came out of prison not being a liberal?
42:26Um, are we promoting a movie?
42:29I'm certainly not going to backpedal on anything I've said, but I would, I wouldn't say, actually,
42:34I wouldn't say I'm a Republican or a liberal or a Democrat.
42:37I think when I was talking to the person who was doing the interview that day and, um,
42:43and that just happened to be my opinion.
42:46You, you say we're promoting an interview, I mean, uh, promoting the movie.
42:49I mean, obviously you're doing a promotional round of interviews and that's why we're talking
42:54about the movie, but we also would like to talk a little bit about you and I don't know
42:57how comfortable you are, you know, talking, talking about yourself at the moment.
43:01You have as much time as anyone else will.
43:03Yeah.
43:04Well, okay.
43:05Well then let me just ask you a few more questions and you can answer them if you want to
43:08and not, if you don't want to.
43:09I mean, um, foot's starting to jump a little bit.
43:12We'll get to your next question.
43:13The reason I'm asking about the past is that you, you've talked in other interviews
43:18again about, um, your relationship with your father and the role of all of that in, uh,
43:27you know, the dark periods you entered and, and taking drugs and drinking and all of that.
43:32And I just wondered whether, you know, you, you, you think you're free of all of that
43:38or whether that's still something.
43:40I'm sorry.
43:41I really don't.
43:42What are we doing?
43:43Uh, well, I'm just asking questions.
43:45That's all right.
43:46Okay.
43:47Bye.
43:48Thank you guys.
43:49Are you?
43:50Oh, I'm sorry.
43:51I didn't have your mic.
43:52It's okay.
43:53Yeah.
43:54You're right.
43:56Yeah.
43:58Do you, you see, okay.
43:59It's just getting a little dying.
44:00Sorry.
44:01No, no, no.
44:02Look, I don't want to do that.
44:08Fine.
44:09I was interviewing Jake Gyllenhaal a couple of weeks ago.
44:12You were about 10 feet away.
44:13Oh yeah.
44:14And we were talking about Zodiac and I was asking him about the choices.
44:18We were talking about the choices you make.
44:20You make such wonderful choices.
44:22Now, do you think that your 20 years, the last 20 years would really help you?
44:27You know, besides what?
44:29Well, I mean, if you think about it, if it's a bit of a haystack anyway,
44:34some people really grab the needle right off the bat.
44:39I'm kind of like the last stock in the haystack.
44:45I'm like, well, it's not that.
44:47And then there's the needle.
44:48So I've had a lot of opportunity to make mistakes.
44:52Oh, I don't think you made many, especially lately.
44:55I just saw kiss, kiss, bang, bang.
44:57God, you're right.
44:58I don't even know what to say.
44:59I've got to change my fingernails every time, man.
45:03Robert would not concern himself with who he was.
45:10Instead, remaining focused on what he can be.
45:14Robert and his wife celebrated the birth of his third child,
45:19Avery Roelle Downey, born on November 4th.
45:23The Marvel Universe was a worldwide phenomenon,
45:27and Robert took his final bow in 2019 upon the release of Avengers Endgame.
45:34Today, Endgame remains the second highest grossing film worldwide,
45:39raking in $2.8 billion in lifetime gross, providing Robert's character, Tony Stark, with an ending which made fans around the world shed tears.
45:51And as you said in the press conference, being back with Robert, it really happens that after, you know, like three movies now, you really became close friends.
46:01That's right.
46:02We became really close friends after the first movie, you know, and I'm very close with his wife.
46:09And I love his children, his son, Indio, I love, and his little baby.
46:14Yeah, we're all friends.
46:16They always come and spend part of the summer with us on Long Island.
46:19And, um, we spend a lot of time together.
46:22You know, I'm a person who really believes in, like, family.
46:28And I was raised, um, I was raised to believe in the importance of family and loyalty and love and looking after the people you love.
46:38And, you know, that's one of the reasons Robert is one of my heroes, because he has so much thrown at him, especially now.
46:46And he's, his values are so good and he's such a family guy.
46:50And, you know, he's come through so much and he's come out as this amazing man with incredible values.
46:56And it's, it's really nice to be near that.
47:01From 2020, Robert chose to adopt a vegan diet during the promotions of Doolittle.
47:07In order to combat his own carbon footprint, he announced the opening of the Footprint Coalition, an organization tailored to developing advanced technology to protect the environment, which still remains active and thriving.
47:23As his business endeavors boomed, Robert is now seeking to reprise critically acclaimed roles.
47:30He will be featuring in The Sympathizer, directed by Park Chan-Wook, and Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan.
47:38Two castings fans are incredibly excited to watch following his massive success in the Marvel franchise.
47:45In July 2021, Robert Downey Sr. passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's disease at the age of 85.
47:59Robert was incredibly close to his father.
48:02He served as an inspiration into the arts, and after Robert's struggle with substance abuse, his overcoming served as a reconnection to those important in his life.
48:14Robert went above and beyond, paying tribute to the impact his father had on him, with Senior, a documentary, revealing the life, trials, and tribulations of the man he held so dear to his heart.
48:28Robert Downey Sr. Well, I actually had really good parents, and they were kind of square in a lot of ways, and they were very highly ideal people and artists and did their very best.
48:53Robert Downey Sr. The relationship with your dad, did he, did you want to get involved in this business because of him?
48:59Robert Downey Sr. Well, I remember, you know, him being a writer and a director.
49:02Robert Downey Sr. I remember when I was eight years old, like, I was in a movie of his, but it seemed kind of natural to me.
49:08Like, oh, this is just what I'm doing. Daddy's making this, and I'm doing it too, you know.
49:12Robert Downey Sr. I guess so. I mean, I really admire my father, and it seemed like he had a really good time and was, really got to communicate.
49:18He and Susan remain an inseparable power couple, residing in New York and Malibu.
49:26Their continued work with Team Downey has set future projects in motion, such as the upcoming Sherlock Holmes sequel.
49:34Robert remains in close contact with his children, attending the premiere of Senior With His Son Indio.
49:41It is undisputed that Robert will continue to push his children in the direction of greatness and passion, whatever path they may take.
49:52From a harsh upbringing to one of the worst downfalls in celebrity history, Robert Downey Jr. was able to not only overcome acclaimed critical hurdles,
50:03he was able to overcome himself with the support from the ones he loved.
50:09And now he remains skyrocketing upwards, inspiring millions, all with a hardworking mindset and no lack of charisma.
50:20My mother's face, my father's heart.
50:28A good day when the fall rains start.
50:37A feeling you'll find, no matter how far you've gone.
50:45The thing you can't quite put your finger on, back home.
51:01Party of six, never on time.
51:10Party of six, never on time.
51:11Party of six, never on time.
51:12Party of six, never on time.
51:13Party of six, never on time.
51:14Party of six, never on time.
51:15Party of six, never on time.
51:16Party of six, never on time.
51:17Party of six, never on time.
51:18Party of six, never on time.
51:19Party of six, never on time.
51:20Party of six, never on time.
51:21Party of six, never on time.
51:22Party of six, never on time.
51:23Party of six, never on time.
51:24Party of six, never on time.
51:25Party of six, never on time.
51:26Party of six, never on time.
51:27Party of six, never on time.
51:28Party of six, never on time.
51:29Party of six, never on time.
51:30Party of six, never on time.
51:31Party of six, never on time.
Recommended
2:23
|
Up next
1:34
2:49
0:19
59:45
0:40
2:17:04
1:26:50
1:30:15
1:25:42
1:48:04
1:41:00
1:32:59