Robert Downey Sr.: filmography, biography and personal life (photo)

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

American director, actor and producer Robert Downey Sr., whose photo is not often seen on posters and magazine covers, is the father of the most popular actor and idol of millions Robert Downey Jr. Popularity was brought to him by roles in the films Johnny Be Good (1988) and How to Steal a Skyscraper (2011), as well as the scripts he wrote for the films Grieser's Palace (1972) and Hugo's Company (1997).

Birth

Robert Downey Sr. was born on June 24, 1935 in the United States of America. His father, Robert Elias, was Russian-Jewish, and his mother, cover girl Betty McLaughlin, was Irish-German. While still a minor, Robert wanted to be in the military, so he changed his real name (Elias) to that of his stepfather, James Downey. In his youth, Robert played in the Baseball League and was the "golden glove" of the team.

Career start

First fame and critical acclaim came from a film called "Putney Swope", which was released in 1969. Robert thenwas 34 years old. Starring Arnold Johnson. This comedy satirizes the advertising world and the nature of corporate corruption. It is included in the list of TOP 10 best films according to New York Magazine. In the 1970 film Pound, his son, the then-not-famous Robert Downey Jr., played the role of a puppy for the first time.

Later, a black streak began in Robert's life, he stepped on the wrong path - he began to use drugs. The consequence was that his first wife, Elsie Downey, left him. She took her two children with her. Salvation was his second wife - Laura Ernst, who helped him cope with this disease.

Incredible success came to the screenwriter with a big name Robert Downey Sr. after making the film Hugo Company (1997), starring Alyssa Milano, Mark Boone Jr., Malcolm McDowell, Robert Downey Jr., Sean Penn and others. Robert Downey Sr. and Jr. were instrumental in making this film.

Private life

Robert John Downey Sr. has been married three times. His first choice was the actress Elsie Downey (née Ford). Her fame was brought to her by roles in such films as Griser's Palace (1972) and The Pound (1970), which were filmed from Robert's scripts. In the first marriage, two children were born: a daughter - Allison Downey, who became a writer and actress, and a son - actor, producer and musician Robert Downey Jr. Robert and Elsie's marriage ended in divorce in 1975.

The hero of our story married a second time in 1991 to Laura Ernst, who was a screenwriter and actress. According to the jointscreenplay by Robert John Downey Sr. and Laura Ernst made the films Too Much Sun (1990), Hugo's Company (1997) and Anger (1983). Some time later, Laura died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Charcot's disease).

Robert currently lives in New York with his third love, Rosemary Rogers, whom he married four years after Laura's death (in 1998).

Talented screenwriter

Robert Downey Sr. has proven himself in many areas of activity. He is a popular actor and producer, a famous director and screenwriter, as well as a cameraman and editor.

In 1960, Robert began to write scripts and direct. So, in 1961, "Balls Bluff" is released - a short film in which a soldier during a battle in the Civil War is transported through time and lands in New York's Central Park in 1961. The hero of the film explores Manhattan in search of his comrades.

In 1964, a movie called "Babo 73" was released, and in 1966, Downey Sr. released a crazy $12,000 comic parody called "Worn Elbows." This film was a huge success, Robert shot most of the film with a still 35mm camera. Interestingly, all 13 roles were played by his first wife, Elsie Downey, and the male role went to George Morgan.

Following the success of Worn Elbows and the trio Putney Swope (1969), Pound (1970) and Greaser's Palace (1972), Downey Sr. came up with a 46-minute cinematic"goulash" called "No More Excuses" (1968). In translation, this means the following: "No excuses." This film is a crazy mixture of politics, humor and various oddities that go from one part of the tape to another.

Around the same time, he is working on a project for Joseph Papp and the New York Theatre. In 1973, "Sticks and Bones" is released - a black comedy about a blind Vietnam War veteran who is unable to come to terms with his actions on the battlefield. The hero is alienated from his family because his relatives cannot accept his disability and understand his military experience. The film was so controversial that half of the chain's affiliates refused to show it.

Success brought to Robert his film called "Company Hugo", filmed in 1997. In 2005, director Robert Downey Sr. turns his cameras to Rittenhouse Square. This documentary showcases the great work of the artists who regularly visit the square, as well as many interesting personalities.

Acting career

As an actor, Downey Sr can be seen in films such as Boogie Nights (1997), Magnolia (1999) and The Family Man (2000). He appeared twice on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) and on countless other television and radio shows. From 1985 to 1989, Downey starred in a TV series called The Twilight Zone (founded by Rod Serling). Each episode is a mixture of science fiction, fantasy and drama. Episodes often have an unexpected ending.

You can see Robert in the movieHow to Steal a Skyscraper, which was released in 2011. Downey Sr plays Judge Ramos. In addition, he has participated as a speaker at film festivals across the country.

As a cinematographer, Robert Downey Sr. distinguished himself in such films as "The American Road" (1953), "Literature Au-Go-Go" (1966) and "Sweet Smell of Sex" (1965).

Robert John Downey Sr's legacy

From his first marriage, Robert left two children: a daughter and a son. Daughter - an actress and author of many written works by Allison Downey - appeared in October 1963 in New York. Known for the films "Zagon" (1970), "Girls and Boys" (1998) and "The Story of a Love" (2005). The son is a producer, famous actor and even musician Robert Downey Jr. Robert was born on April 4, 1965 in New York. Little Robert got his first role at the age of five in his father's film called "The Corral".

The breakneck success of Downey Jr

Downey Jr. gained popularity after starring in the biopic Chaplin (1992), in which he got the role of the all-time comedian Charlie Chaplin. The performance of Downey Jr. impressed everyone without exception, the actor received a nomination for the well-known Oscar award, falling into the Best Actor category.

Robert also earned a Golden Globe award, because Played Best Supporting Actor in Ally McBeal. In addition, he was awarded the Golden Globe Award for Best Comedy Actor (SherlockHolmes).

Filmography of actor Robert Downey Jr. quite rich - more than eighty films, as well as short films. Moreover, he has repeatedly engaged in the voice acting of characters in various cartoons. The most famous films with the participation of Downey Jr.: Gothic (2003), Iron Man 1, 2, 3 (2008, 2010, 2013), Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011), Chaplin (1992), The Avengers (2013) and many more.

As for his personal life, Robert has been married twice. Both marriages gave him sons. The eldest son of Robert Downey Jr. - Indio - followed in the footsteps of his father and is now building an acting career, and is also a talented musician. The youngest son from his second marriage, Exton, turned two on February 7, 2014.

And finally

Robert Downey Sr. is 78 today. He lives in New York with his third wife, Rosemary Rogers.

"I have something to be proud of," he told an American journalist. American cinema owes a lot to such a great screenwriter and director as Robert Downey Sr. His filmography includes more than 18 roles, 20 written scripts and at least 18 created tapes.