An overview of the childhood and early education of Robert Downey Jr., highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.
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.
April 4, 1965: Robert Downey Jr. Born
On April 4, 1965, Robert John Downey Jr. was born. He would grow up to be an American actor, achieve massive success, and be recognized as one of the highest-grossing actors of all time.
Share
1977: Parents' Divorce
In 1977, when Robert Downey Jr. was twelve years old, his parents divorced, leading him to live with his mother in New York.
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
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.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
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
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
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.
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: 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.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
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.
Share
2003: Maintained Sobriety
Since 2003, Robert Downey Jr. has maintained his sobriety, marking a turning point in his personal life and career.
Share
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.
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
March 2007: Denial of Bipolar Diagnosis
In March 2007, Robert Downey Jr. addressed claims that he was bipolar in an Esquire article, denying any formal diagnosis and attributing past assessments to the influence of drug use during evaluations.
Share
2008: Cancellation of Memoir
In 2008, Robert Downey Jr. cancelled his memoir and returned the advance to HarperCollins.
Share