American actor whose extraordinary acting talent, catastrophic drug addiction in the late 1990s, and remarkable comeback as Iron Man in the MCU make him the most famous real-world narrative of addiction, loss, and redemption in Hollywood.
Represents the definitive Hollywood redemption arc — from celebrated actor to homeless addict with a criminal record to the highest-paid actor in the world — and his sobriety, his MCU success, and his return to prestige film work make him the most compelling living example of second-act reinvention.
Discussing
Ask anything about Robert Downey Jr. — their ideas, influences, contradictions, legacy.
Sign in to start a conversation.