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Robert Downey Jr.

Actor

Robert Downey Jr.

Born April 4, 1965 in New York City, New York, USA88 films

Robert John Downey Jr. (born April 4, 1965) is an American actor. His films as a leading actor have grossed over $14.3 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time. Downey was the highest-paid actor in the world annually from 2013 to 2015. Known for his versatility across roles, he is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Daytime Emmy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and two British Academy Film Awards.

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At the age of five, Downey made his acting debut in his father, Robert Downey Sr.'s, film Pound (1970). He rose to prominence by working with the Brat Pack for the teen films Weird Science (1985) and Less than Zero (1987). His portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in the biopic Chaplin (1992) earned him the BAFTA Award for Best Actor and an Academy Award nomination. After spending less than a year at a treatment facility on drug charges, Downey joined the television series Ally McBeal in 2000, earning a Golden Globe for his performance. Dismissed from the show in 2001 following further drug-related arrests, he entered a court-ordered rehabilitation program and has remained sober since 2003.

After Mel Gibson paid his insurance bond, Downey made his film comeback with The Singing Detective (2003). He gained global recognition for starring as Iron Man in ten Marvel Cinematic Universe films, from Iron Man (2008) to Avengers: Endgame (2019). Downey starred as the titular detective in Sherlock Holmes (2009), which earned him a Golden Globe. His portrayal of bureaucrat Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer (2023) won him the Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 2024, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for the miniseries The Sympathizer. He made his Broadway debut in the title role of Ayad Akhtar's McNeal.

Time named Downey one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2008, and Forbes featured him on the Celebrity 100 in 2013 and 2014. He has pursued music, releasing the jazz-pop album The Futurist (2004), which charted on the US Billboard 200. Divorced from singer Deborah Falconer, Downey has been married to film producer Susan Levin since 2005; they co-founded the production company Team Downey. Downey has three children: one with Falconer and two with Levin. In 2025, he was named one of the greatest film actors of the 21st century by The Independent.

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The best way into Robert Downey Jr.'s work
Avengers: Infinity War posterFirst watchAvengers: Infinity War20188.2as Tony Stark / Iron ManAs the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach

Filmography

88 films as actor
  1. TBAAll-Star WeekendMexican Stranger
  2. TBAThe Hider
  3. 2027Avengers: Secret WarsVictor von Doom / Doctor Doom
  4. 2026Avengers: DoomsdayVictor von Doom / Doctor Doom
  5. 2025The Fantastic 4: First StepsVictor von Doom / Doctor Doom (uncredited)
  6. 2023OppenheimerLewis Strauss
  7. 2020DolittleDr. John Dolittle
  8. 2019Avengers: EndgameTony Stark / Iron Man
  9. 2018Avengers: Infinity WarTony Stark / Iron Man
  10. 2017Spider-Man: HomecomingTony Stark / Iron Man
  11. 2016The Nice GuysSid Shattuck (uncredited)
  12. 2016Captain America: Civil WarTony Stark / Iron Man
  13. 2015Avengers: Age of UltronTony Stark / Iron Man
  14. 2014The JudgeHank Palmer
  15. 2014ChefMarvin
  16. 2013Iron Man 3Tony Stark
  17. 2012The AvengersTony Stark / Iron Man
  18. 2011Sherlock Holmes: A Game of ShadowsSherlock Holmes
  19. 2010Due DatePeter Highman
  20. 2010Love and DistrustRob (segment "Auto Motives")
  21. 2010Iron Man 2Tony Stark
  22. 2009Sherlock HolmesSherlock Holmes
  23. 2009The SoloistSteve Lopez
  24. 2008Tropic ThunderKirk Lazarus
  25. 2008The Incredible HulkTony Stark (uncredited)
  26. 2008Iron ManTony Stark
  27. 2008Charlie BartlettNathan Gardner
  28. 2007Lucky YouTelephone Jack
  29. 2007ZodiacPaul Avery
  30. 2006A Guide to Recognizing Your SaintsDito
  31. 2006Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane ArbusLionel Sweeney
  32. 2006A Scanner DarklyJames Barris
  33. 2006Game 6Steven Schwimmer
  34. 2006The Shaggy DogDr. Kozak
  35. 2005Good Night, and Good Luck.Joe Wershba
  36. 2005Kiss Kiss Bang BangHarry Lockhart
  37. 2005Fat Load O NothinVarious Extras
  38. 2004ErosNick Penrose
  39. 2004The Route V50Traveller
  40. 2003GothikaPete Graham
  41. 2003The Singing DetectiveDan Dark
  42. 2003Whatever We DoBobby
  43. 2002LethargyAnimal Therapist
  44. 2000Auto MotivesRob
  45. 2000Wonder BoysTerry Crabtree
  46. 1999Black and WhiteTerry Donager
  47. 1999BowfingerJerry Renfro
  48. 1999Friends & LoversHans
  49. 1999In DreamsVivian Thompson
  50. 1998Two Girls and a GuyBlake
  51. 1998U.S. MarshalsRoyce
  52. 1998The Gingerbread ManClyde Pell
  53. 1997Hugo PoolFranz Mazur
  54. 1997One Night StandCharlie
  55. 1996Danger ZoneJim Scott
  56. 1995Richard IIIEarl Rivers
  57. 1995RestorationRobert Merivel
  58. 1995Mr. Willowby's Christmas TreeMr. Willowby
  59. 1995Home for the HolidaysTommy Larson
  60. 1994Natural Born KillersWayne Gale
  61. 1994Hail CaesarJerry
  62. 1994Only YouPeter Wright
  63. 1994Fertile La Toyah Video Magazine #2: The Kinky Issue!
  64. 1993Short CutsBill Bush
  65. 1993Heart and SoulsThomas Reilly
  66. 1992ChaplinCharles Spencer Chaplin
  67. 1991SoapdishDavid Seton Barnes
  68. 1991Too Much SunReed Richmond
  69. 1990Air AmericaBilly Covington
  70. 1989Chances AreAlex Finch
  71. 1989True BelieverRoger Baron
  72. 1989That's AdequateAlbert Einstein
  73. 19881969Ralph Carr
  74. 1988Rented LipsWolf Dangler
  75. 1988Johnny Be GoodLeo Wiggins
  76. 1987Less Than ZeroJulian
  77. 1987The Pick-up ArtistJack Jericho
  78. 1986AmericaPaulie Hackley
  79. 1986Back to SchoolDerek
  80. 1986ArrivalEddie
  81. 1985Weird ScienceIan
  82. 1985Girls Just Want to Have FunPunk Party Crasher (uncredited)
  83. 1985Tuff TurfJimmy Parker
  84. 1984FirstbornLee
  85. 1983Baby It's YouStewart
  86. 1980Up the AcademyBoy on Soccer Team (uncredited)
  87. 1972Greaser's PalaceBoy in Covered Wagon (uncredited)
  88. 1970PoundPuppy