Robert Downey Jr. was arrested multiple times on charges that were all related to substance abuse including, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin. These numbers of arrests began to stack up and Downey missed many court-ordered illegal substance tests. This led to the court sentencing Downey to three years in prison.
Downey was given an early release after he spent a year behind the bars. American actor Robert Downey Jr. is a perfect example of the fact that a person can turn his life around completely if he has the will to do so. The actor began his acting career as a child actor. He used to play minor roles in his father, Robert Downey Sr.'s films.
During his youth days, he shifted to Hollywood to kickstart his acting career. After much hard work, Downey claimed fame in the industry. However, all his diligence failed due to his addiction to drugs. From 1996 - 2001, the actor was at his lowest and was battling drug addiction. This hampered his career terribly. Not just his career, but his drug addiction also cost the actor his love life.
After being released from jail, Robert Downey Jr. finally gave recovery a full shot and turned his life around in a massive way. He returned to his acting career and worked hard during his resurgence. At the current time, Downey Jr. is one of the most loved and highest-paid actors in Hollywood. With a jaw-dropped net worth of $300 million, Downey has nearly worked in over 80 movies.
When did Robert Downey Jr. become a drug addict?
During his childhood days, Robert Downey Jr. was surrounded by drugs. His father, Robert Downey Sr., who was a filmmaker, was a drug addict. Downey Sr. allowed the Marvel actor to use Marijuana at the age of six. This is what slowly began Downey's addiction to substance abuse.
During an interview, Downey stated that his drug use became an emotional bond between him and his father. Downey Jr. said, "When my dad and I would do drugs together, it was like him trying to express his love for me in the only way he knew how." Eventually, the Marvel actor began spending every night abusing alcohol and "making a thousand phone calls in pursuit of drugs".
What did Robert Downey Jr. have to say about his time in prison?
Robert Downey Jr. has always been vocal about his addiction days and his prison time. He has never ignored these topics and has spoken about his experience and tough years out in the open with the media. In the year 2900, Downey Jr. spoke to Vanity Fair about his time in prison and his reaction to the court sentencing him.
Downey said, “A symptom that characterizes the first phase is shock. Under certain conditions, shock may even precede the prisoner’s formal admission into the camp. The main symptom of the second phase is apathy, a necessary mechanism of self-defense.” During the same interview, Downey Jr. explained that he quickly had to adapt to the “rules” of the prison. He said, “You know, it’s all about sinks and toilet rims. Because that’s what it comes down to. I was new to the cell, so it wasn’t really my sink. I was just a sink guest.”
During an interview with Rolling Stones in 2010, Robert Downey Jr. revealed that being behind the bars made him feel secure from drugs. He termed them as 'intruders'. Downey Jr. said, “When the door clicks shut, then you are safe. There is nothing aside from a rogue correctional officer that can do you harm if you have the right cellie. You are actually in the safest place on Earth. Safe from the intruders.”
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