Robert Downey Jr.

Guide Note:

Robert Downey Jr. is an American actor and musician. He is known for supporting and lead roles in movies such as Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Chaplin, Short Cuts, Less Than Zero and Iron Man.

Downey Jr. was born in New York to artist parents. His mother was a singer and dancer, and his father was an actor, writer, producer, and director of independent films. He went to a performing arts high school during his teen years and was offered a role on the cast of Saturday Night Live at the age of 20. He was only on SNL for one season.

After playing Charlie Chaplin in the movie Chaplin (1992), he began to be noticed by critics as a talent. The role also earned him an Academy Award nomination.

In 1997, Downey Jr.'s issues with substance abuse became public, and though he was hired in 2000 to be in the cast of Ally McBeal, he was fired from the TV show before the first season had finished.

In 2006, Downey Jr. received his first producer credit for his involvement with the film A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints. He also played the main character in the film which was based on the book of the same name by Dito Montiel.

Recently he has made a comeback, appearing in such acclaimed films as Good Night Good Luck and Zodiac. He plays the character of Tony Stark in the Iron Man movie, which releases May 2, 2008.

Fast Facts:

1. Iron Man Movie release date: May 2, 2008
2. Received an Academy Award nomination for the film Chaplin
3. Was a cast member Saturday Night Live for one season
4. His father, Robert Downey Sr., is a film director.