This video is an homage to Robert Downey Sr. and an examination of the enormous influence his father had on his son’s life; it was directed by Chris Smith (100 Foot Wave).
Although Downey Sr. was the one who first put his son, Downey Jr., in a film at the tender age of five, he was also the one who first introduced him to narcotics. Both men faced difficult road ahead in terms of overcoming substance abuse and staying sober.
Like a redemption story, this one has a tragic ending but is still enjoyable. Downey Jr. suggested as much in a September Q&A session following a screening at the Telluride Film Festival.
He went on to describe the text as “a thoughtful look at a span of time spanning numerous generations. If today’s youth could just do the “art” part without all the “trauma” component, that would be great.
Find out more about Downey Jr.’s late dad.
Robert Downey Sr. was born and raised in New York.
Downey Sr. was born on June 24, 1936. His mom, Elizabeth, was a model, and his dad, Robert John Elias, operated a restaurant. Downey Sr. was raised on Long Island after being born in New York City.
He fell in love with the Big Apple and wanted to settle down and raise a family in Manhattan. Downey Sr. tied the knot three times, the first time being with Elsie Ann Ford, an actress, in 1962. They had two children, Allyson (born in 1963) and Downey Jr. (1965), together.
source: people
After the divorce of his first marriage in 1975, Downey Sr. married actress and writer Laura Ernst. They stayed together till her passing on January 27th, 1994. He wed author Rosemary Rogers in 1998.
Actor and filmmaker Robert Downey Sr.
And Downey Sr. made quite a name for himself in the indie film world. His films, which frequently sparked controversy (like the mockumentary Putney Swope, released in 1969), did not do well at the box office but were well-received by reviewers. Because of its “cultural, historical, or artistic significance,” the Library of Congress has opted to keep Putney Swope around.
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Though not all of his efforts were commercially successful, they all won him, devoted followers, for varied reasons. Yes, many other filmmakers have cited Downey Srfilms. as an influence.
has received a total of five Oscar nominations. To give just one example, the late director and screenwriter of the classic 1972 western Greaser’s Palace, John Wayne Dowling Sr., has been cited by Paul Thomas Anderson as an inspiration. Despite his reputation as a director and producer, Downey Sr. also tried his hand at acting, making a brief appearance in Wes Anderson’s Boogie Nights (1997).
Robert Downey Sr. had served in the military.
Following his time in the military, Downey Sr. pursued his lifelong ambition of becoming a movie star. More specifically, he enlisted in the military while still a minor, a move that would wind up playing a significant role in molding his legendary reputation.
His birth name was Robert John Elias Jr., but he adopted his stepfather Jim Downey’s last name and became known as “Downey” throughout his military service.
While he was locked up in the stockade, he began writing a novel. Downey Sr. was a man of many talents; in addition to being an off-Broadway playwright for ten years, he also spent a year as a semi-pro baseball pitcher.
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