Career Timeline of Robert Downey Jr.: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Robert Downey Jr. made an impact.

Robert Downey Jr. (RDJ) is a highly successful American actor, with his films grossing over $14 billion worldwide. He was recognized as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in 2008 and was Forbes' highest-paid actor from 2013-2015. Downey Jr. has received prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, two BAFTA Awards, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in Hollywood.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2000: Release of Ally McBeal: A Very Ally Christmas

In 2000, Robert Downey Jr.'s remake of Joni Mitchell's "River" was included on the Ally McBeal tie-in album, Ally McBeal: A Very Ally Christmas. His character, Larry Paul, performed the song in the Ally McBeal episode "Tis the Season".

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2001: Duet of Every Breath You Take

In 2001, Robert Downey Jr. and Sting performed a duet of The Police's "Every Breath You Take" in an episode of Ally McBeal.

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2001: Appeared in Elton John's "I Want Love" Music Video

In 2001, Robert Downey Jr. appeared in the music video for Elton John's song "I Want Love".

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2003: Gibson pays Downey's insurance bond for 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 comeback to mainstream films.

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2003: Woody Allen unable to cast Downey due to insurance issues

In 2003, Woody Allen wanted to cast Robert Downey Jr. in his film 'Melinda and Melinda' but could not secure insurance for him, preventing his participation in the project.

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2004: Released 'The Futurist' CD

In 2004, Robert Downey Jr. released a CD titled 'The Futurist'.

2006: Downey does voice acting on Family Guy

In 2006, Robert Downey Jr. returned to television by doing voice acting on 'Family Guy' as Patrick Pewterschmidt, an episode created after Downey offered to assist in production due to his son's fandom.

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2007: Downey appears in David Fincher's Zodiac

In 2007, Robert Downey Jr. appeared in David Fincher's mystery thriller 'Zodiac', playing the role of San Francisco Chronicle journalist Paul Avery.

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2007: Downey cast as Iron Man

In 2007, Robert Downey Jr. was cast as Tony Stark in 'Iron Man' after director Jon Favreau insisted that Downey's personal experiences aligned with the character, and Downey gained 20 pounds of muscle for the role.

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March 2008: Stiller screens Tropic Thunder to African Americans

In March 2008, Ben Stiller screened a rough cut of 'Tropic Thunder' to African Americans, who embraced it, easing concerns about the film's portrayal of insufferable actors.

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October 2008: Downey agrees to star in Iron Man sequels and The Avengers

In October 2008, Robert Downey Jr. agreed to star in two 'Iron Man' sequels and 'The Avengers', and he reprised his role as Tony Stark in 'The Incredible Hulk'.

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November 2008: The Soloist release delayed and touted as award contender

In November 2008, Paramount Pictures delayed the release of 'The Soloist', with critics mentioning it as a possible Academy Award candidate. Downey received an Academy Award nomination for Tropic Thunder for the 2008 release year.

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November 18, 2008: Tropic Thunder released on home video

On November 18, 2008, the movie 'Tropic Thunder', which had grossed $180 million in theaters, was released on home video.

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2008: Ben Stiller reflects on Downey's success

In 2008, Ben Stiller reflected on Robert Downey Jr.'s commercially successful summer at the box office, noting his transformation into a box office draw.

2008: Downey stars in Iron Man and Tropic Thunder

In 2008, Robert Downey Jr. starred in two commercially and critically successful films, 'Iron Man' and 'Tropic Thunder', marking a turning point in his career.

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2008: Downey accepts Sherlock Holmes role

In 2008, after Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. accepted the role of Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie's adaptation.

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June 14, 2010: Team Downey Founded

On June 14, 2010, Robert Downey Jr. and his wife Susan opened their own production company called Team Downey, with The Judge being their first project.

May 10, 2011: Prayer Cycle 2: Path to Zero Release

On May 10, 2011, Prayer Cycle 2: Path to Zero, a benefit album for the anti-nuclear organization Global Zero featuring both Robert Downey Jr. and Sting, was released.

October 2011: Performed "Driven to Tears" with Sting

In October 2011, Robert Downey Jr. performed "Driven to Tears" live with Sting at a concert celebrating Sting's 60th birthday.

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December 16, 2011: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows released

On December 16, 2011, Robert Downey Jr. starred in 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows', which opened worldwide.

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2012: Donated to Barack Obama's Campaign

In 2012, Robert Downey Jr. donated to Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

2013: Highest-Paid Actor by Forbes

Robert Downey Jr. was named Hollywood's highest-paid actor by Forbes starting in 2013.

2014: Attended Fundraiser for Democratic Party

In 2014, Robert Downey Jr. attended a fundraiser for the Democratic Party and donated to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

2015: Highest-Paid Actor by Forbes

Robert Downey Jr. was named Hollywood's highest-paid actor by Forbes until 2015.

2016: Urged Against Voting for Donald Trump

In 2016, Robert Downey Jr. appeared in an Internet video urging the American public to vote against Donald Trump in the then-upcoming presidential election.

2019: Downey plays Stark in Avengers: Endgame

In 2019, Robert Downey Jr. played Tony Stark in 'Avengers: Endgame', and he hosted 'The Age of A.I.', a YouTube documentary series.

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2020: Participated in Virtual Fundraiser for Joe Biden

In 2020, Robert Downey Jr. participated in a virtual fundraiser for Joe Biden's presidential campaign, along with fellow Avengers actors and vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris.

2020: Downey stars in Dolittle

In 2020, Robert Downey Jr. starred in 'Dolittle', a film produced by Team Downey, where he played a veterinarian who can communicate with animals, but the movie was a box office disappointment.

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2023: Downey appears in Oppenheimer and Downey's Dream Cars

In 2023, Robert Downey Jr. portrayed Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer', earning critical acclaim and several awards, and he hosted the television series 'Downey's Dream Cars', where he converted his cars to electric.

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July 2024: Return to MCU Announced

In July 2024, at San Diego Comic-Con, it was announced that Robert Downey Jr. would return to the MCU as Victor von Doom / Doctor Doom in upcoming films.

September 5, 2024: McNeal Broadway Debut Previews

On September 5, 2024, previews began for Robert Downey Jr.'s Broadway debut in Ayad Akhtar's play McNeal, at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theatre. He plays Jacob McNeal, a novelist with a difficult family life.