Robert Downey Jr. is one of the most famous and successful actors in Hollywood today. Known for playing iconic characters like Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes, Downey has starred in numerous blockbuster films over the past few decades. However, early in his career, Downey struggled with substance abuse and addiction, leading to multiple arrests and stints in rehab. His legal troubles culminated in the late 1990s when Downey was sentenced to spend time in both state prison and federal prison on drug charges.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Robert Downey Jr.’s battles with addiction and the crimes that ultimately landed him behind bars. We’ll examine the timeline of his drug use, arrests, and convictions. Additionally, we’ll provide details on his time in prison and the road to recovery and sobriety after being released.
Downey’s Early Life and Entry into Hollywood
Robert Downey Jr. was born in Manhattan, New York in April 1965 to Robert Downey Sr., also an actor and filmmaker, and Elsie Downey. His father exposed him to drugs at a young age, giving Downey marijuana when he was just six years old. As a child actor, Downey landed his first role at age five, playing a puppy in his father’s film Pound in 1970.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Downey began building up his acting resume with roles in films like Weird Science and Back to School. However, during this period, he also started using drugs recreationally, including cocaine and amphetamines. Downey has said that drug use became a way for him to bond with his father, who was also frequently abusing substances.
As Downey pursued more acting work, the combination of wealth, fame, and easy access to drugs proved challenging for the young star. His drug use turned from casual to problematic throughout the late ‘80s as his career took off.
Downey’s Initial Drug Arrests in the 1990s
Downey’s addictions led to multiple arrests throughout the 1990s on drug-related charges:
- 1996: Downey was arrested for speeding down Sunset Boulevard and for being in possession of heroin, cocaine, and an unloaded .357 Magnum handgun. He was released on $2,500 bail.
- 1997: In June 1997, Downey missed a scheduled drug test ordered by a judge. As a result, he spent 6 months in the Los Angeles County jail.
- 1999: In March 1999, Downey was arrested when police found him wandering barefoot in Culver City, California. He tested positive for cocaine and was charged with felony possession.
- 1999: In November 1999, Downey was in a room at the Merv Griffin Resort in Palm Springs, California when he was discovered naked and under the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested for drug possession and being under the influence but was released on $15,000 bail.
Despite these arrests and jail time, Downey was still able to find work and continued using drugs. However, his addiction eventually escalated to the point of severely impacting his career and resulting in lengthy prison sentences.
The Arrests That Led to Prison
In late 2000, Downey was arrested twice on drug-related charges that ultimately led to his incarceration in both state and federal prison:
Arrest in June 2000
On June 23, 2000, Downey was discovered wandering barefoot around Culver City, high on cocaine and in possession of the drug. Though he had been released on bail, these charges violated his probation from his 1999 arrest in the same city.
As a result, Downey was sent to a substance abuse treatment center. However, he escaped from the center and failed to appear in court in July 2000.
Arrest in November 2000 and Subsequent Convictions
- Arrest: On November 25, 2000, Downey was caught smoking methamphetamine in a hotel room in Palm Springs. He was arrested on drug charges as well as for providing an identification card with the name “James Kirk” – reportedly a reference to the character in Star Trek.
- State Prison Conviction: In September 2001, Downey pleaded no contest to the 1996 incident of being under the influence of a controlled substance and was sentenced to three years at a California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison.
- Federal Prison Conviction: In July 2001, Downey also admitted to violating parole from his 1999 arrests and to using cocaine in November 2000. As a result, he was sentenced to three years at the Federal Correctional Institution in Victorville, California.
Downey ultimately ended up serving slightly over one year of his collective state and federal prison sentences. He was released from prison in August 2002.
Downey’s Time Behind Bars
Downey has been fairly open about his time spent incarcerated and how it served as a wake-up call for changing his life. Here are some details on his prison experiences:
- Downey has described having to take part in daily drug tests while imprisoned. He has said this constant accountability and lack of privacy wasdifficult but helped him finally kick his addictions.
- While at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran, California, Downey stayed in a special segregated unit for high-profile prisoners.
- According to Downey, his introduction to federal prison was a “pretty hardcore” experience. In a 2008 interview, he recalled being thrown in with the general population at the Federal Correctional Institution in Victorville and having to share a bunk bed with another inmate.
- Downey has credited his prison time with giving him the discipline he needed to commit to sobriety: “When the door slams behind you, you realize exactly why you are there…I learned that I cannot control things through force, determination and willpower.”
- While imprisoned, Downey studied yoga and meditation techniques to help him avoid relapse. He was able to achieve full sobriety by 2003.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Robert Downey Jr.’s time in prison:
How long was Robert Downey Jr. in prison?
In total, Downey spent around 1 year and 4 months incarcerated between his overlapping state and federal prison sentences. He served from July 2001 to August 2002.
Where was Robert Downey Jr. in prison?
Downey was held in multiple California prisons – the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Corcoran from 1999 to 2001, and the Federal Correctional Institution in Victorville in 2002.
What was Downey convicted of?
Downey was convicted on both state and federal drug charges. His convictions included drug possession, being under the influence, parole violations, providing false identification, and missing mandatory drug tests.
Yes. Downey has said he shared small spaces with other inmates in both state and federal prison. In federal prison, he had a bunkmate and shared a cell.
How did prison change Robert Downey Jr.?
Downey credits his time in prison with helping him finally get sober for good. The lack of privacy and constant drug tests forced him to reckon with his addictions. He was able to use meditation techniques and yoga to maintain sobriety after being released.
Downey’s Career Comeback Post-Prison
Robert Downey Jr. was able to remarkably rebuild his career after getting out of prison and committing to sobriety.
- Downey landed his first role just weeks after his August 2002 release, with the 2003 film The Singing Detective.
- His performance in the 2004 movie Kiss Kiss Bang Bang earned critical praise and started to re-establish Downey as a formidable acting talent.
- Downey leveraged his talents to secure the lead role in the blockbuster 2008 Marvel film Iron Man. His casting was initially seen as a risk due to his troubled past, but ended up paying off enormously.
- Playing Tony Stark/Iron Man launched Downey into superstardom and made him the face of the massively successful Marvel Cinematic Universe for over a decade.
- Today, Downey remains sober and is one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood. His perseverance and resilience in overcoming his formerly destructive relationship with drugs and the law has made him an inspiring figure of redemption.
Conclusion
Robert Downey Jr.’s multiple arrests for drug possession in the late 1990s and his subsequent prison time could have permanently derailed his acting career. However, his experiences behind bars proved formative, giving Downey the chance to finally commit to sobriety and discipline after years of addiction issues enabled by his fame and wealth.
Prison life gave Downey the accountability and introspection he needed to get clean, while his natural talents allowed him to rebuild his professional reputation even with his criminal convictions. Downey’s story serves as a powerful example that no matter how low someone falls, there is always potential for redemption with hard work and dedication. His successful career comeback is nothing short of remarkable.