Top 10 Robert Downey Jr

Less Than Zero (1987)

After a few bit parts in projects like John Hughes’ Weird Science and TV’s Saturday Night Live, Robert Downey Jr got the critics’ attention with this 80s drama about wealthy young adults growing up in L.A. Downey’s role as the drug-addicted Julian won him rave reviews, but has also been attributed to the actor’s real-life descent into drug abuse. A certain Brad Pitt has an uncredited role, for which he was paid $38.

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Chaplin (1992)

His performance in Less Than Zero lead to Downey being cast in bigger films, and his title role in Chaplin lead to a Best Actor BAFTA, plus an Oscar nomination. He even sang the song Smile for the film’s soundtrack. Downey is ably supported by Dan Aykroyd, Kevin Kline and Anthony Hopkins, and his fully committed study of the part especially delighted his director, Richard Attenborough, a longtime Chaplin fan.

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Ally McBeal (22 episodes, 2000-2002)

From 1996 to 2001 were the particularly dark years of Downey’s drug abuse, with repeated stints of prison and rehab. A week after being released in 2000, he became Ally McBeal’s new love interest, reinvigorating the hit series and winning a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award nomination. But further drugs charges saw him axed, forcing creator David E. Kelley to rewrite a season finale in which Downey’s character would have married Ally McBeal.

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The Singing Detective (2003)

With his career in tatters, Downey had to rebuild his reputation as a credible actor, and the olive branch was first offered by Mel Gibson, his friend since they co-starred on Air America (1990). Also producer of The Singing Detective, Gibson paid Downey’s insurance bond for this big screen adaptation of the BBC mini-series comedy/musical. Gibson also starred in the film, along with Katie Holmes, Robin Wright Penn and Adrien Brody.

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Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Moving back towards the mainstream, Downey scored a leading role in this clever murder-mystery, opposite Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan. Respecting Downey’s recovery from his addictions, Kilmer didn’t drink alcohol during the entire production of the film. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is co-produced by Downey’s now wife, Susan – they met on the set of 2003’s Gothika.

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A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)

Based on author and musician Dito Montiel’s memoir about growing up in 1980s New York, the film boasts an impressive cast including Rosario Dawson, Channing Tatum and Shia LaBeouf. Virtually unknown in films at that stage, LaBeouf plays the angry, younger version of Downey’s lead character, and punched a hole in a wall at the audition to prove he could do it. Downey co-produced the film with Sting and Trudi Styler.

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A Scanner Darkly (2006)

Directed by Richard Linklater and produced by George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh, A Scanner Darkly is based on the book by sci-fi legend Philip K. Dick, whose novels also inspired Blade Runner and Minority Report. The distinct style of the film is achieved by rotoscoping, a process in which filmed footage of Downey, Keanu Reeves, Woody Harrelson and Winona Ryder is animated over in post-production.

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Zodiac (2007)

Although Daniel Craig was first choice to play Paul Avery, the role ultimately went to Downey, who joined Jake Gyllenhaal and Mark Ruffalo on this true-life crime drama. Based on Robert Graysmith’s book of the same name, the hunt for Zodiac is one of America’s most famous serial-killer cases. Director David Fincher added all of the blood in the murder scenes digitally, after filming, to save time.

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Iron Man (2008)

Is Tony Stark set to define Downey’s career? Either way, Iron Man’s alter-ego certainly cemented his A-list status with his first blockbuster hit. Downey worked so closely with director Jon Favreau that he moved office to be right next door, so that they could discuss his role and the screenwriting during pre-production. Now, with a sequel also under Iron Man’s belt, and big names on the roster, this franchise looks like it’s here to stay.

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Tropic Thunder (2008)

Written and directed by Ben Stiller, this satirical action-comedy lampoons archetypal Hollywood actors, a bunch of whom are dumped in a jungle to make a Vietnam War film. Downey and Stiller were worried about causing offence with Downey’s role of Kirk Lazarus – a Caucasian actor playing an African-American – but his near-the-knuckle performance was well-received, and earned his second Oscar nomination, this time for Supporting Actor.

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