Robert Downey Jr. isn’t mincing words when it comes to crediting the Marvel Cinematic Universe for a career and personal comeback.
“I want to talk about the past, present, and future,” the actor told the crowd at the Los Angeles premiere of “Avengers: Infinity War” on Monday night. On stage with cast members, including Chadwick Boseman, Scarlett Johansson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Downey was referencing his addiction-plagued past before he was cast in “Iron Man” in 2008.
“The past for me was 30 years of dependency, depravity, and despair… otherwise known as ‘An Actor Prepares!'” he quipped as part of a sprawling speech addressing his notorious past. “The present is this moment of glory for all of us. And the future…? That is always uncertain. But looking at these friends behind me — it seems like things might brighten up after all.”
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The actor, now 53, made headlines and was the subject of tabloid fodder in the 1990s and early 2000s over multiple drug-related arrests and charges. Downey has been open about his struggle with addiction since sobering up in 2002.
One of his better-known incidents came in 1996 when he was arrested for driving naked down Sunset Boulevard and in possession of heroin, cocaine, and a gun. A month later while on parole, he was found in a neighbour’s home, asleep in a bed under the influence of a controlled substance. In 2000, he was arrested and charged with felony drug possession.
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While promoting the latest entry in the Marvel Universe on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” he joked about how “Iron Man” was a gamble that paid off both personally and professionally.
“What was it, 10 years ago that you did the first ‘Iron Man’ movie? We didn’t know how that was going to go,” host Jimmy Kimmel joked. “That could have been a disaster. It could have ruined your acting career!”
“The only way was up back then!” Downey remarked.
