From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Robert Downey Jr. made an impact.
Robert Downey Jr. is a highly successful American actor, known for his leading roles in films that have collectively grossed over $14 billion worldwide. This achievement places him among the highest-grossing actors in history. Downey's influence extends beyond financial success, as he was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2008. Further highlighting his prominence, Forbes listed him as Hollywood's highest-paid actor for three consecutive years, from 2013 to 2015.
1970: Acting Debut in "Pound"
In 1970, at the age of five, Robert Downey Jr. made his acting debut in his father's film "Pound," marking the beginning of his career in the entertainment industry.
Share
1970: Acting Debut in "Pound"
In 1970, at the age of five, Robert Downey Jr. made his acting debut, playing a sick puppy in the comedy film "Pound," marking the start of his acting career.
Share
1972: Appeared in "Greaser's Palace"
In 1972, at the age of seven, Robert Downey Jr. appeared in the surrealist Western film "Greaser's Palace", continuing his early involvement in acting.
Share
1982: Dropped out of High School
In 1982, Robert Downey Jr. dropped out of Santa Monica High School and later moved back to New York to pursue acting full-time, marking a turning point in his career path.
Share
1983: First Credited Film Role
In 1983, Robert Downey Jr. got his first credited film role in "Baby It's You", though his scenes were ultimately cut, marking an early challenge in his career.
Share
1983: Stage Debut and Off-Broadway Musical
In 1983, Robert Downey Jr. made his stage debut in "Alms for the Middle Class" and performed in the off-Broadway musical "American Passion," marking his early experiences in theater.
Share
1984: Part in "Firstborn" and Began Dating Sarah Jessica Parker
In 1984, Robert Downey Jr. got a part in the film "Firstborn", where he met Sarah Jessica Parker, and the pair started dating, beginning a significant relationship.
Share
1985: Joined Saturday Night Live Cast
In 1985, Robert Downey Jr. joined the cast of Saturday Night Live but was dropped after a year due to poor ratings and criticism, marking an early setback in his career.
Share
1985: Role in "Weird Science"
In 1985, Robert Downey Jr. worked with the Brat Pack, appearing in the teen film "Weird Science," contributing to his early exposure in popular teen cinema.
Share
1986: Molly Ringwald turned down Robert Downey Jr. for role
In 1986, Molly Ringwald turned down Robert Downey Jr. for the role of Duckie in "Pretty in Pink", which then went to Jon Cryer, marking a missed opportunity for Downey.
Share
1987: Starred in "Less Than Zero"
In 1987, Robert Downey Jr. played Julian Wells in "Less than Zero", receiving praise for his performance as a drug-addicted character, which resonated with his real-life struggles.
Share
1987: Starred in "The Pick-up Artist"
In 1987, Robert Downey Jr. starred with Molly Ringwald in his first lead role in "The Pick-up Artist", marking a significant step in his early career.
Share
1987: Role in "Less Than Zero"
In 1987, Robert Downey Jr. worked with the Brat Pack, appearing in the teen film "Less than Zero," contributing to his early exposure in popular teen cinema.
Share
1988: Starred in "1969"
In 1988, Robert Downey Jr. starred in the film "1969" with Kiefer Sutherland, continuing his work in coming-of-age films.
Share
1989: Starred in "Chances Are"
In 1989, Robert Downey Jr. starred in "Chances Are" with Cybill Shepherd and Ryan O'Neal, expanding his roles in bigger-budget films.
Share
1990: Starred in "Air America"
In 1990, Robert Downey Jr. starred in "Air America" with Mel Gibson, taking on roles in action-oriented films.
Share
1991: Starred in "Soapdish"
In 1991, Robert Downey Jr. starred in "Soapdish" with Sally Field, Kevin Kline, Cathy Moriarty, and Whoopi Goldberg, participating in ensemble comedies.
Share
1992: Starred in "Chaplin"
In 1992, Robert Downey Jr. starred as Charlie Chaplin in "Chaplin", earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and critical acclaim for his dedicated performance.
Share
1992: BAFTA Award and Academy Award Nomination for "Chaplin"
In 1992, Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in the biopic "Chaplin" earned him a BAFTA Award for Best Actor and his first Academy Award nomination, marking a significant achievement in his career.
Share
1993: Appeared in "Heart and Souls" and "Short Cuts"
In 1993, Robert Downey Jr. appeared in the films "Heart and Souls" and "Short Cuts", along with writing a documentary about the 1992 presidential campaigns titled "The Last Party".
Share
1994: Appeared in "Only You"
In 1994, Robert Downey Jr. appeared in "Only You" with Billy Zane, marking a role in a romantic comedy during his career.
Share
1994: Starred in "Only You" and "Natural Born Killers"
In 1994, Robert Downey Jr. starred in the films "Only You" and "Natural Born Killers", showcasing his versatility in different genres.
Share
1995: Appeared in "Restoration", "Richard III", and "Home for the Holidays"
In 1995, Robert Downey Jr. appeared in "Restoration", "Richard III", and "Home for the Holidays", taking on diverse roles in different film genres.
Share
1997: Appeared in "Two Girls and a Guy"
In 1997, Robert Downey Jr. appeared in the film "Two Girls and a Guy", continuing to work in independent film projects.
Share
1998: Appeared in "U.S. Marshals"
In 1998, Robert Downey Jr. appeared as Special Agent John Royce in the film "U.S. Marshals", taking on action-oriented roles.
Share
1999: Appeared in "Black and White"
In 1999, Robert Downey Jr. appeared in the film "Black and White", participating in projects that explored social and cultural themes.
Share
2000: Early Release from Prison and Joined "Ally McBeal"
In 2000, Robert Downey Jr. was unexpectedly freed from prison and joined the cast of the hit television series "Ally McBeal", marking a significant turning point in his life and career.
Share
2000: Joined "Ally McBeal" and Won Golden Globe
In 2000, after a period of personal challenges, Robert Downey Jr. joined the cast of the TV series "Ally McBeal," and won a Golden Globe Award for his role, signaling a comeback in his career.
Share
January 2001: Scheduled to Play Hamlet
In January 2001, Robert Downey Jr. was scheduled to play the role of Hamlet in a Los Angeles stage production directed by Mel Gibson, indicating a high-profile opportunity in his career.
Share
August 2001: First Post-Rehab Job
In August 2001, Robert Downey Jr. secured his first acting job after rehabilitation, lip-syncing in the video for Elton John's single "I Want Love".
Share
2001: Fired from "Ally McBeal"
In 2001, Robert Downey Jr. was fired from the show "Ally McBeal" in the wake of additional drug charges, causing a setback in his career.
Share
2003: Comeback with "The Singing Detective"
In 2003, Mel Gibson paid Robert Downey Jr.'s insurance bond for the film "The Singing Detective", paving the way for Downey's return to the big screen.
Share
2003: Acting Comeback in "The Singing Detective"
In 2003, Robert Downey Jr. made his acting comeback in the film "The Singing Detective," after Mel Gibson helped him secure insurance, marking a new chapter in his career.
Share
2003: Unable to be Cast Due to Insurance Issues
In 2003, director Woody Allen wanted to cast Robert Downey Jr. in his film "Melinda and Melinda" but was unable to do so because he could not get insurance on him due to his past issues, showcasing the lasting impact of his earlier challenges.
Share
November 23, 2004: Release of "The Futurist"
On November 23, 2004, Robert Downey Jr. released his debut musical album, "The Futurist", on Sony Classical, designing the cover art himself with his son Indio.
Share
2005: Starred in "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang"
In 2005, Robert Downey Jr. starred in the black comedy "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," further establishing his return to acting and showcasing his versatility.
Share
2006: Voice Acting on Family Guy
In 2006, Robert Downey Jr. made a return to television by doing voice acting on Family Guy, creating the character of Patrick Pewterschmidt.
Share
2006: Memoir Deal and Subsequent Cancellation
In 2006, Robert Downey Jr. signed a deal with HarperCollins to write a memoir, but he later cancelled the book in 2008 and returned his advance.
Share
2007: Role in "Zodiac"
In 2007, Robert Downey Jr. appeared in David Fincher's mystery thriller "Zodiac", playing the role of journalist Paul Avery.
Share
2007: Starred in "Zodiac"
In 2007, Robert Downey Jr. starred in the thriller "Zodiac", showcasing his acting abilities in a serious and suspenseful role.
Share
2007: Casting as Iron Man
In 2007, Robert Downey Jr. was cast as Tony Stark in the film "Iron Man", with director Jon Favreau citing Downey's understanding of the character as a key factor in the decision. Downey gained more than 20 pounds of muscle for the role.
Share
March 2008: Screening of Tropic Thunder
In March 2008, a rough cut of Tropic Thunder was screened with the crew, and it scored high with African Americans, which provided some relief about the movie.
Share
May 3, 2008: Release of Iron Man
On May 3, 2008, "Iron Man" was released worldwide to critical acclaim and commercial success, with Downey's performance particularly praised.
Share
August 13, 2008: Release of Tropic Thunder
On August 13, 2008, "Tropic Thunder" was released in the United States, receiving positive reviews and earning $26 million during its opening weekend.
Share
October 2008: Iron Man Sequels and Avengers Agreement
In October 2008, Robert Downey Jr. agreed to star in two "Iron Man" sequels and "The Avengers", solidifying his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Share
November 2008: Delay of The Soloist Release
In November 2008, Paramount Pictures delayed the release of "The Soloist", a film starring Robert Downey Jr., due to a tight end-of-year release schedule.
Share
November 18, 2008: Home Video Release of Tropic Thunder
On November 18, 2008, "Tropic Thunder" was released on home video after grossing $180 million in theaters.
Share
2008: Cancellation of Memoir
In 2008, Robert Downey Jr. cancelled his memoir and returned the advance to HarperCollins.
Share
2008: Starred in "Tropic Thunder" and "Iron Man"
In 2008, Robert Downey Jr. gained global recognition for starring as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as starring in the action comedy "Tropic Thunder,"
Share
2008: Breakthrough Year with Blockbuster Films
In 2008, Robert Downey Jr. starred in two critically and commercially successful films, "Iron Man" and "Tropic Thunder", marking a turning point in his career.
Share
April 2009: Release of The Soloist
In April 2009, "The Soloist", a film Robert Downey Jr. finished in mid-2008, was released after being delayed by Paramount Pictures.
Share
December 25, 2009: Release of Sherlock Holmes
On December 25, 2009, Robert Downey Jr.'s "Sherlock Holmes" was released, setting box office records for a Christmas Day release.
Share
2009: Starred in "Sherlock Holmes" and Earned Golden Globe
In 2009, Robert Downey Jr. played Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes", earning him his second Golden Globe and showcasing his talent in a different genre.
Share
May 2010: Release of Iron Man 2
In May 2010, Robert Downey Jr. returned as Tony Stark in "Iron Man 2", which grossed over $623 million worldwide.
Share
November 2010: Release of Due Date
In November 2010, Robert Downey Jr.'s comedy road film, "Due Date", co-starring Zach Galifianakis, was released, grossing over $211 million worldwide.
Share
December 16, 2011: Release of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
On December 16, 2011, Robert Downey Jr.'s sole film credit for the year, "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows", opened worldwide.
Share
2011: Starred in "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows"
In 2011, Robert Downey Jr. reprised his role as Sherlock Holmes in the sequel "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows", continuing his success in the franchise.
Share
2012: Reprising Role of Tony Stark in The Avengers
In 2012, Robert Downey Jr. reprised his role as Tony Stark in "The Avengers", which became one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
Share
2013: Iron Man 3 Release
In 2013, Robert Downey Jr. played Tony Stark in Iron Man 3.
Share
2013: Hollywood's Highest-Paid Actor
In 2013, Robert Downey Jr. was listed by Forbes as Hollywood's highest-paid actor, marking a peak in his financial success and recognition in the industry.
Share
2014: The Judge Premieres at Toronto International Film Festival
In 2014, "The Judge", a dramedy co-produced by Robert Downey Jr.'s Team Downey, was the opening film at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Share
2014: Starred in "The Judge"
In 2014, Robert Downey Jr. took on a dramatic role in "The Judge", showcasing his versatility as an actor.
Share
2015: Avengers: Age of Ultron Release
In 2015, Robert Downey Jr. played Tony Stark in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Share
2015: Listed as Hollywood's Highest-Paid Actor by Forbes
In 2015, Robert Downey Jr. was listed by Forbes as Hollywood's highest-paid actor for the third consecutive year, further solidifying his status as a top earner in the entertainment industry.
Share
2016: Captain America: Civil War Release
In 2016, Robert Downey Jr. played Tony Stark in Captain America: Civil War.
Share
2017: Spider-Man: Homecoming Release
In 2017, Robert Downey Jr. played Tony Stark in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Share
2018: Avengers: Infinity War Release
In 2018, Robert Downey Jr. played Tony Stark in Avengers: Infinity War.
Share
2019: Avengers: Endgame Release
In 2019, Robert Downey Jr. played Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame.
Share
2019: Appeared in "Avengers: Endgame"
In 2019, Robert Downey Jr. starred as Iron Man in "Avengers: Endgame", marking the culmination of his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Share
2020: Starring in Dolittle
In 2020, Robert Downey Jr. starred in "Dolittle", which was the second film from Team Downey.
Share
2023: Role in Oppenheimer
In 2023, Robert Downey Jr. played Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. He later won an Academy Award for this role.
Share
2023: Won Awards for "Oppenheimer"
In 2023, Robert Downey Jr. won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss in "Oppenheimer", marking a significant achievement in his career.
Share
July 2024: Announcement of MCU Return
In July 2024, at San Diego Comic-Con, it was announced that Robert Downey Jr. would return to the MCU as Doctor Doom in future films.
Share
September 5, 2024: Broadway Debut in McNeal
On September 5, 2024, previews began for Robert Downey Jr.'s Broadway debut in "McNeal", playing Jacob McNeal.
Share
2024: Nominated for Emmy and Broadway Debut
In 2024, Robert Downey Jr. was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for "The Sympathizer" and made his Broadway debut in "McNeal", marking new achievements in his career.
Share