Robert Downey, Sr.
Robert Downey Sr.’s early career is an exercise in contradiction. He was born Robert Elias Jr. but later changed his name to Robert Downey, his stepfather’s last name. He did this to enlist in the U.S. Army while he was still a minor. After getting out of the Army, he began writing and directing low budget underground films that were firmly anti-establishment and counterculture.
Robert Downey Sr
Robert Downey, Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. began his career at the early age of only five when he appeared in one of his father’s movies, Pound, in 1970. He continued to work in the industry after this role, appearing in several teen movies before landing the titular character in the biopic Chaplin. Unfortunately, this is where things began to go downhill for Downey Jr. after struggling with substance abuse; he was fired from his role on the TV show Ally McBeal.
Robert Downey Jr
