Robert Downey Jr.’s acting journey kicked off as a child, debuting in his father’s 1970 comedy Pound. At age 5, he played a puppy. By 7, he got a unique role in Greaser’s Palace. Soon the actor conquered the Hollywood world with films like, Less Than Zero (1987), Chances Are (1989), and others.
There are other other gigs he has done over the career of 4 decades. But playing a billionaire superhero Tony Stark is what has become his identity. And he has become synonymous with the character for life.
No doubt, Iron Man made him a superstar, but he’s got two other roles he loves more. He even compared them to his brief stint in Iron Man.
Two Roles for Which Robert Downey Jr. Has Immense Respect Including Iron Man
Speaking with W Magazine, Downey Jr. spoke about his obsession with three roles in his career: Chaplin, Tony Stark (Iron Man), and Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer. He said:
“There have been three times in my career when I became completely obsessed with the possibility of playing a role. First time was Chaplin. Second time was Tony Stark, in Iron Man. And the third time – I got the trifecta, and you’re lucky if this happens a couple of times – was with Lewis Strauss, for Oppenheimer. I knew a little bit about my character because I’m kind of a Cold War enthusiast. I don’t know why I’ve been obsessed with it.”
As RDJ said he completely became obsessed with the possibility of playing a role. So, it won’t be wrong to say that out of all the 77 movies he did in total, these roles would have definitely had a great impact on his life.
Let’s Talk More About His Roles in Oppenheimer and Chaplin
Robert Downey Jr. co-starred as Lewis Strauss in director Christopher Nolan’s biopic film Oppenheimer. Strauss is a trustee at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, where Dr. Robert Oppenheimer works. He was also a chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission after World War II. Over his character, Downey Jr. said that he said on Variety “found great joy in [making Oppenheimer].”
He also said, “I will continue to love and I’m happy to eventually in some way reengage with sci-fi fantasy. It’s got its own upside.” For the role, the movie mogul even took home a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Male Actor – Motion Picture at the 81st award ceremony. This marks his 4th win that too after 14 years he received for The Soloist.
Another role is of Charlie Chaplin which he did when he was 22. The actor regarded that it was one of the finest roles. The Hollywood star said to Vanity Fair “Chaplin has been an undercurrent my whole life,” Downey Jr. and that he wanted the movie to be as accurate as possible.
“I employed every single way I could try to show up for that role. When you’re 25 and you’re given the keys to the kingdom, you’re going to probably to come out of center. Maybe out of fear, maybe out of confidence. And for me — at that point, not to boast — I was as much of a Chaplin expert as anyone involved in the project.“
This shows his obsession with the role. The role also got him an Oscar nod which also paved the way for Iron Man.
Rent or buy Oppenheimer on Prime Video or Apple TV and watch Chaplin on Prime Video.
