Robert Downey Jr. is a well-known Hollywood actor, but his journey to fame was not an easy one. He started his acting career at the age of five, and by the 80s and early 90s, he had become a busy and hardworking actor with roles in memorable films such as Weird Science, Back to School, and Less Than Zero. He even received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in the film Chaplin. However, as his career took off, so did his addiction to drugs and alcohol.
His struggles with addiction were similar to those of his father, who also battled with drug and alcohol abuse. In the late 1990s, Robert’s substance abuse reached an all-time high. Despite several arrests and failed rehabilitation attempts, he was sentenced to a three-year prison term at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in 1999. He served 15 months of the sentence, as well as parole and probation time.
Overcoming Challenges
Now, 20 years sober, Robert recently shared his experiences with addiction and prison time on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast. He described his time in prison as being sent to a distant planet, recalling the moment he learned of his incoming prison sentence. He felt as though the judge was casting a spell on him when he said something in Latin.
Robert also recalled his first time arriving at the receiving center where inmates are informed of where they will be headed. He described it as the most dangerous place he had ever been and said that nobody was designated according to their criminal level. He also mentioned that he could feel the evil in the air, and it was like being in a really bad neighborhood with no opportunities, only threats.
Despite the fear and uncertainty during his time in prison, Robert became adjusted to the routine required of inmates. He said that inmates are programmed to adjust to seemingly impossible things within a short amount of time. He even noted that by day 15, he was playing and dialed in.
Robert explained that as long as an inmate has the willingness to do harm, it is unlikely that they will be targeted. He also emphasized the difference between acting like you’re willing to do harm and being willing to do harm.
Family Life and Continued Sobriety
After his release in 2000, Robert continued to struggle with substance abuse and had further brushes with authorities. However, by 2003, he had become sober for good. In the same year, he met his future wife, Susan Downey, who was the executive vice-president of the production company behind the 2003 thriller Gothika. The couple got married in New York in August of 2005 and have since welcomed two children, son Exton Elias and daughter Avri Roel. Robert also has a son, Indio Falconer, with his ex-wife Deborah Falconer.
In 2015, former California governor Jerry Brown granted Robert a full and unconditional pardon for his multiple convictions.
Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
Robert’s journey to sobriety was a difficult one, but he has learned valuable lessons along the way. He emphasized the importance of having a willingness to do harm in prison and how it can prevent an inmate from being targeted. He also noted that inmates can adjust to seemingly impossible things within a short amount of time.
Robert’s story serves as a reminder that addiction does not discriminate and that it is possible to overcome it with determination and the right support. Although his road to success was rocky, he has become one of Hollywood’s most successful and enduring A-listers.
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