![]() Robert Jr.'s lengthy acting résumé includes appearances in eight films directed by his father ( Pound, Greaser's Palace, Moment to Moment, Up the Academy, America, Rented Lips, Too Much Sun, Hugo Pool), as well as two acting appearances in movies where his father was also an actor ( Johnny Be Good, Hail Caesar). each made their film debuts in the 1970 absurdist comedy Pound at the ages of 7 and 5, respectively Allyson would appear in one more film by her father, Up the Academy. Daughter Allyson and son Robert Downey Jr. His first wife, Elsie, appears in four of his movies ( Chafed Elbows, Pound, Greaser's Palace, Moment to Moment), as well as co-writing one ( Moment to Moment). ĭowney's films were often family affairs. His last film was Rittenhouse Square (2005), a documentary capturing life in a Philadelphia park. He moved into big-budget filmmaking with the surrealistic Greaser's Palace (1972). In 1961, work with film editor Fred von Bernewitz, Downey began writing and directing low-budget 16mm films that gained an underground following, beginning with Ball's Bluff (1961), a fantasy short about a Civil War soldier who awakens in Central Park in 1961. In keeping with the underground tradition, his 1970s films were independently made on shoestring budgets and were relatively obscure in the Absurdist movement, finding culture notoriety. His work in the late 1960s and 1970s was quintessential anti-establishment, reflecting the nonconformity popularized by larger counterculture movements and given impetus by new freedoms in films, such as the breakdown of codes on censorship. Career ĭowney initially made his mark creating basement budget, independent films aligning with the Absurdist movement, coming of age in counterculture anti-establishment 1960s America. Downey later said he wrote an unpublished novel during his time in the army, though he spent much of his military career "in the stockade". He changed his surname to Downey (after his stepfather, James Downey) when he wanted to enlist in the United States Army while being underage. He grew up in Rockville Centre, New York. His paternal grandparents were Lithuanian Jews, while his mother was of half Hungarian Jewish and half Irish ancestry. was born in the Manhattan borough of New York City, the son of Elizabeth ( née McLauchlen), a model, and Robert John Elias, who worked in management of motels and restaurants. He replies: "I would sure love to miss that discussion.Robert John Elias Jr. ![]() raises in the film: "We would be remiss not to discuss its effect on me," Downey Jr. On those ’70s films, Downey Sr.’s cocaine use was rampant, an environment that surely had an influence on Downey Jr.’s own struggles later with drug addiction. There’s wonderful things that come with that, and then there’s probably avoidance patterns that are kept up because of that." This is a secret power that you guys have. "And I think you deal with anything uncomfortable through humor. You’re hyper-aware of what’s going on around you and comment on it, much as Sr. "You absolutely have your observation of the world. doesn't think he inherited from his dad, saying, "I did not get his wildly optimistic ongoing super-curiosity," something his wife Susan disagrees with. ![]() And he really liked that German song I sang when I was 15."Īlthough there are many similarities in their respective lives, such as their love of filmmaking and their struggles with drug addiction, there is one thing Downey Jr. "I remember that he thought ‘Less Than Zero’ was good. He was like, ‘Cute.’ I did a bunch of the Marvel stuff and he goes, ‘Uh uh. Susan and I did a couple Sherlock movies. ![]() "I hate to say it, but he was a bit of a snob. to get a compliment from his father about one of his own movies. In watching the documentary, it is clear the father and son had an immense love for one another, but Downey Sr.'s affinity for everything outside the mainstream made it difficult for Downey Jr. made were considered part of the counterculture and out of the mainstream, giving him the reputation of being a skeptical nonconformist. While he might be known as Tony Stark, Sherlock Holmes or Charlie Chaplin today, he explained that he was known as "just Bob Downey’s kid for a long time." Many of the films Downey Sr. says that while he's known as Iron Man now, he was known as Bob Downey's kid for the longest time. ![]()
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