Following Robert Downey Jr.’s work as an antagonist, Lewis Strauss, in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, the actor recently picked the third Oscar nod of his career. Previously getting nominated for Chaplin (1992) and Tropic Thunder (2008), Downey Jr. recalled how he lost the first two times.
During his interview on The View, Robert Downey Jr. discussed his previous Oscar nods and claimed that he was, in fact, happy for losing it the first two times. Specifically addressing his first Oscar loss to Al Pacino, Downey Jr. confessed to being grateful for that, despite Chaplin being one of the best movies of his acting career.
Robert Downey Jr. Bagged His Third Oscar Nomination
Re-starting his career in 2008, as MCU’s Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. turned into a fan-favorite superhero in the Marvel Universe. However, after his character sacrificed himself for the whole of humanity in Avengers: Endgame (2019), Downey Jr. began taking a different road for his career. After dedicating several years of his work life to Marvel, the actor moved on to critically acclaimed projects.
Thereafter, Robert Downey Jr. took on the role of the shrewd and political antagonist Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan‘s summer blockbuster Oppenheimer, starring Cillian Murphy in the titular role. Following his appearance in the World War 2 drama, Downey Jr. was hailed by fans for his riveting performance. Not only that, he was even appreciated by the Academy Awards committee.
Following his appearance as a negative character in Oppenheimer, Robert Downey Jr. bagged the third Oscar nomination of his career. With the 96th Academy Awards approaching, Downey Jr. was nominated under the Best Supporting Actor category for the Oscars. After he won the same category at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Award, people are now hoping for him to win at the Oscars as well.
Robert Downey Jr. is Grateful for Losing His First Oscar
Meanwhile, addressing his third Oscar nomination during his appearance on The View, for an interview, Robert Downey Jr. recalled his first two Oscar nods. When the actor was initially starting his career, he proved his talent following his appearance in the 1992 movie Chaplin. Turning it into one of his best performances throughout his career, Downey Jr. bagged his first Oscar nod for the film.
Bagging the nomination under the Best Actor category, Robert Downey Jr. eventually lost the Golden Statue to Al Pacino, who won it for Scent of a Woman (1992). But surprisingly, as Downey Jr. recalled his loss during his interview. He didn’t seem to be saddened by it. Instead, the actor mentioned being grateful for his loss during the initial years of his career.
“I was young and crazy. It would have put me under the impression that I was on the right track.”
Implying that his Oscar achievement during his initial years might have turned him into a snob and made him overconfident, Robert Downey Jr. admitted that he’s glad he didn’t win. After his first Oscar nod, the actor spent many years in trouble with the law and struggled mightily with his addictions. His history with the law even made it difficult for him to sell his talent in the industry.
However, the actor overcame all odds and made significant alterations to his career. Now, Downey Jr. is earning praise and accolades for his intense dedication to his stagecraft.
