Robert Downey Jr. is one of Hollywood’s most treasured heroes. His struggles with overcoming addiction have inspired many sections of society and left his impression as more of a real-life superhero. His charisma and easily likable persona make him a venerated and respected actor in the industry, while fans adore him for his contributions as the ‘godfather’ of the MCU.
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In the aftermath of the recent Johnny Depp defamation trial, reports and experts have dictated that the actor would have great difficulty in resurrecting his career and even though Robert Downey Jr.’s ’90s case displays an eerie similarity in terms of alcohol and substance abuse issues, the latter did make a formidable comeback to Hollywood.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Struggles With Substance Abuse
During the late 90s, there came a turning point in RDJ’s life and career when he could no longer balance both aspects of his life equally. His Oscar-winning career crashed and burned with the weight and impact of his substance issues, and he was finally sentenced to prison by an LA County Court in 1999.
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When he finally came out in 2000, his career was practically non-existent. However, the good favor of Mel Gibson started him up on the right path again until 2008, when Jon Favreau and Marvel Studios’ last ditch attempt at resurrecting the MCU began. Robert Downey Jr. needed this movie as much as Marvel needed him. The rest, as they say, is history.
RDJ’s Sympathies Lie With Armie Hammer
One could thus infer, how the now revered actor who was practically canceled at the turn of the century, having been sentenced to 3 years in prison, with no foreseeable future in sight, and was refused any form of insurance (until Mel Gibson stepped up to the plate and helped him) would sympathize with the current predicament of the once golden boy, Armie Hammer.
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The younger actor, facing charges of sexually violent behavior, emotional abuse, manipulation, and accusations of rape, is now spending his days in the Grand Caymans, shunned by the public as he awaits Hollywood’s eventual oblivion. The situation that had landed him in the delicate position of public vitriol was received by Robert Downey Jr. much in the same way as Mel Gibson had come to RDJ’s rescue when the world shunned him.
According to reports cited by Vanity Fair, it was Robert Downey Jr. who swooped in and took control of the situation. RDJ guided Hammer toward rehabilitation and healing at his own expense when the latter was in the heights of legal drama and on the verge of cancellation. However, it is still not clearly stated how much it cost the Hollywood godfather to get Armie Hammer’s life on track. If rumors are to be believed, and with Hollywood, anything could be believable, then RDJ spent somewhere close to a five-figure range.
Source: Vanity Fair
