- His marriage to actress-singer Deborah Falconer is ending in divorce. (April 28, 2004)
- Is set to marry his film producer girlfriend Susan Levin -- British newspapers are reporting he will reveal his marriage plans on an episode of the FRANK SKINNER SHOW. (November 11, 2003)
- Says his highly publicized battle with drugs has made him relate to the message of THE SINGING DETECTIVE, his first film in three years - "You can make miraculous recoveries from seemingly hopeless situations if you put your mind to it and you have enough support. I think it's about the process of maturing, " he says. (October 24, 2003)
- Believes he'll stay away from drugs for good now after years of struggling with addiction. (October 15, 2003)
- Is glad he was dropped from Woody Allen's new movie because he didn't want to star in it anyway - He says Allen used him to get publicity for the as-yet-untitled movie. (October 14, 2003)
- Robert Downey Jr. and Winona Ryder are in talks to star in Woody Allen's next flick, but as is his way, Allen has divulged neither the film's plot, nor title. (July 25, 2003)
- Is being sued by one of Charles Bell, his former cellmates, for defamation -- Downey Jnr was released from jail in 2000 after serving only part of his sentence and spoke to an American publication shortly after, describing Bell as a recovering pimp who talks to satellites. (April 8, 2003)
- Downey and Alan Arkin have been drafted by director Steven Soderbergh to star in a segment of EROS, a movie consisting of short films by Soderbergh, Michelangelo Antonioni and Wong Kar-wai. (March 1, 2003)
- His movie comeback in Mel Gibson's THE SINGING DETECTIVE has been put back after disappointing reviews at the Sundance Film Festival. (February 20, 2003)
- Downey understands people's interest in his long battle with cocaine addiction because he enjoys nosing into the lives of 'screwy' people too - he says, I love it when people go on benders, get arrested, get (messed) up, hit-and-runs, as long as no one gets killed. I just think it's amazing how screwy people are. So that's definitely a big part of my story. (January 23, 2003)
- Downey's got his first leading role in THE SINGING DETECTIVE since completing a very public process of rehabilitation, and his performance as a bitter, misogynistic novelist suffering from a debilitating skin disease is terrific. (January 21, 2003)
- Played host at the annual Musicians' Assistance Program fundraiser in Hollywood. (November 20, 2002)
- Was arrested twice for cocaine possession within months of his August 2000 release from a year-long prison stay on a prior drugs conviction.
- He earned Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for Best Actor in the film CHAPLIN in 1992.
- in June 1996, he was arrested for driving while under the influence, for possession of controlled substances (crack cocaine, powder cocaine, and black-tar heroin), and for possession of a concealed weapon (an unloaded .357 Magnum handgun).
- As a child, he smoked marijuana with his father, filmmaker Robert Downey, who later overcame a cocaine habit of his own.
- His father, filmmaker Robert Downey Sr., called him a great artist, a great friend. And when he beats this, he'll be a great man.
- McKellen enjoyed acting with Downey Jr. in RESTORATION (1995), and asked him to play the part of Rivers in RICHARD III (1995), expecting him to turn the role down as too small. To McKellen's surprise, Downey Jr. immediately cleared his diary and and took the part.
- Has publicly admitted to using drugs during the making of HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (1995), and to having great difficulty filming his scenes. 'Foster, Jodie' tried to intervene but could not.
- Nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at Emmy Awards for Ally McBeal (2001)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for CHAPLIN (1993)
Quotes- "(Hollywood) is not like that anymore. It's a lot more strait-laced and they're not interested in people who are not going to show up and be healthy."
- "It was so nice to go into this fake courtroom. I immediately went up into the judge's chair. Nice view. A preferable perspective." [on the Ally McBeal set] - Entertainment Weekly. 11.03.00
- "I could deal with this if I smoked a couple of grams of blacktar heroin." [on playing Pokemon with his son]
Awards- Hasty Pudding awards: Man of the Year (2004)
- Chicago International Film Festival: Career Achievement Award (2003)
- L.A. Outfest: Screen Idol Award - Male, WONDER BOYS (2001)
- Screen Actors Guild Award: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series, ALLY MC BEAL (2001)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made, TV for Ally McBeal (2001)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Supporting Role Television Series, ALLY MCBEAL (2000)
- Saturn Award: Best Actor, HEART AND SOULS (1994)
- Golden Globe Awards: Special Award - Best Ensemble Cast, SHORT CUTS (1994)
- British Academy Award: Best Actor Leading, CHAPLIN (1993)
- London Critics Circle Film Awards: Actor of the Year, CHAPLIN (1993)
- Venice Film Festival: Best Ensemble Cast, SHORT CUTS (1993)
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