A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Robert Downey Jr.'s life and career.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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June 1996: Arrested for Drug and Weapon Possession
In June 1996, Robert Downey Jr. was arrested for possession of heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and an unloaded .357 Magnum handgun while speeding down Sunset Boulevard, marking a serious legal and personal crisis.
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November 1996: Sentenced to Live-In Rehab and Probation
In November 1996, after spending time in court-ordered rehab, Robert Downey Jr. received a further six months of live-in rehab, three years' probation, and was ordered to undergo compulsory drug testing, indicating a serious effort to address his addiction issues.
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1996: Arrested on Drug-Related Charges
From 1996, Robert Downey Jr. was arrested several times on charges related to drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, leading to drug treatment programs and time in jail and prison.
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1996: Time in Incarceration Facilities
In 1996, Robert Downey Jr.'s time in incarceration facilities began, which led to an unexpected early release in 2000.
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1996: Prior to 1996 Arrest
Prior to his 1996 arrest for drug-related charges, Robert Downey went through a number of interventions and stints in rehab
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1997: Jail Time for Missed Drug Test
In 1997, Robert Downey Jr. missed a court-ordered drug test and had to spend six months in the Los Angeles County jail, followed by a court-ordered 120-day rehab program, showcasing the ongoing legal consequences of his addiction.
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1999: Relapse and Prison Sentence
In 1999, Robert Downey Jr. relapsed after being clean, leading to another arrest for missing a required drug test and a three-year prison sentence at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran, California.
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1999: Addiction Admission
In 1999, Robert Downey Jr. told a judge about his addiction, stating he had been addicted to drugs since the age of eight because his father had been giving them to him, revealing a difficult aspect of his childhood.
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1999: Seeking Psychiatric Advice
In 1999, while at Corcoran II, Robert Downey Jr. wrote to Dr. Manijeh Nikakhtar, a psychiatrist, seeking advice regarding his condition and potential bipolar disorder. She noted a lack of comprehensive psychiatric evaluation at the time.
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December 18, 2000: Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder
On December 18, 2000, Robert Downey Jr.'s stepmother, Rosemary, revealed in an article that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder "a few years ago", suggesting it contributed to his struggles with sobriety.
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2000: Arrested on Thanksgiving
On Thanksgiving in 2000, Robert Downey Jr. was arrested after his room at Merv Griffin's Hotel and Givenchy Spa in Palm Springs, California, was searched by the police, leading to further legal troubles.
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April 2001: Final Arrest and Decision to Recover
In April 2001, Robert Downey Jr. had his last arrest, leading him to the decision to pursue a full recovery from drugs and seek help, marking a turning point in his battle with addiction.
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April 2001: Arrested in Culver City
In April 2001, Robert Downey Jr. was arrested in Culver City on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs, leading to his firing from "Ally McBeal" and cancellation of the "Hamlet" production.
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July 2001: Pleaded No Contest to Palm Springs Charges
In July 2001, Robert Downey Jr. pleaded no contest to the Palm Springs charges and was sent to drug rehabilitation, benefiting from California Proposition 36, which aimed to help nonviolent drug offenders overcome their addictions, avoiding further jail time.
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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.
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2001: Arrests on Drug-Related Charges Continued
Through 2001, Robert Downey Jr. continued to be arrested on drug-related charges, including cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, continuing a period of significant personal challenges.
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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.
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November 2004: Discussion on Addiction and Recovery
In November 2004, Robert Downey Jr. spoke with Oprah Winfrey about his struggles with addiction and his decision to seek help after years of failed attempts to control his addictive behavior.
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