A film star is an individual with a job description that will make people will remember those who make a name for themselves through their actions for years to come, but you can never really guess for what reasons. Robert Downey Jr. is a prime example of how you become famous, as well as infamous in the eyes of the public due to your actions.
Popularly known to be the dark horse of the Hollywood industry due to his troubled past in the past, the star has come a long way since then to become one of the most loved and revered actors in the industry. But as all of humanity knows, the past can never be erased, and thus, he shares his experiences going through everything, the most terrifying being his time spent in prison.
Robert Downey Jr. Openes Up About The Horrors Of Prison Life
While most of his fans remember him today as Tony Stark, a.k.a Iron Man from his days in the MCU or for other iconic roles like Sherlock Holmes in the movie series of the same name, there is a dark past connected with Robert Downey Jr. that he doesn’t mind sharing. During the early phases of his life, he was infamous in the industry for being a troubled, drug-addicted law offender who has served time in prison for his actions. But what most may not know is the fear and anxiety that he had to go through while he was there.
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In a recent interview with podcast host and one of his friends Dax Shepherd on his show, the Tropic Thunder star talked about how his life has been going after leaving the MCU among other things when he also opened up about the experience he had serving his prison sentence. He talks about this one event in particular where he was taken into a place called the Delano which classified him based on the severity of his actions. He said:
“Two weeks later, I’m in a place called Delano, which is a receiving center where they decide where you’re going to go. Arguably the most dangerous place I’ve ever been in my life because nobody is designated. If they’re a level 1, 2, 3 or 4 criminal, [everyone’s there], you could just feel the evil in the air. It was kind of like just being in a really bad neighborhood, and there was no opportunity there; there was only threats, so, yes, everyone is going to take your wallet, so watch it.”
While this experience may have broken most people, it gave the star time to reflect on his actions, which also gave him the power to change his life for the better, and the rest is history.
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What’s Next For Robert Downey Jr.?
After bringing a revolution in the entire film industry by becoming the face of the MCU in 2008’s Iron Man, RDJ became the quintessential pillar of the cinematic universe which has expanded at an unprecedented rate. And after more than a decade, he left the franchise behind in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. After a much-deserved rest, he’s finally back in front of the camera in Christopher Nolan’s masterpiece Oppenheimer in the supporting role of Lewis Strauss.
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Oppenheimer, now in cinemas.
Source: Armchair Expert with Dax Shepherd
