Robert John Downey Jr., born on April 4, 1965, in Manhattan, New York City, is an American actor whose films as a leading actor have grossed over $14 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time.

His career has been characterized by early success, a period of drug-related problems and run-ins with the law, and a resurgence of popular and commercial success in the 2000s.

Robert Downey Jr. was born to filmmaker Robert Downey Sr. and actress Elsie Downey. He has a sister, Allyson Downey. He was married to Deborah Falconer from 1992 to 2004, and they have a son named Indio Falconer Downey. In 2005, he married Susan Levin, now Susan Downey, with whom he has two children: Exton Elias Downey and Avri Roel Downey.

He made his acting debut at the age of five in his father's film 'Pound' in 1970. He subsequently worked with the Brat Pack in the teen films 'Weird Science' (1985) and 'Less Than Zero' (1987). His portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in the 1992 biopic 'Chaplin' received a BAFTA Award.

After a stint at the Corcoran Substance Abuse Treatment Facility on drug charges, he joined the TV series 'Ally McBeal' in 2000, and won a Golden Globe Award for the role. Downey was fired from the show in 2001 in the wake of additional drug charges. He stayed in a court-ordered drug treatment program and has maintained his sobriety since 2003.

He made his acting comeback in the 2003 film 'The Singing Detective', after Mel Gibson paid his insurance bond because completion bond companies would not insure him. He went on to star in the black comedy 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' (2005), the thriller 'Zodiac' (2007), and the action comedy 'Tropic Thunder' (2008).

He further gained global recognition for starring as Iron Man in ten films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, beginning with 'Iron Man' (2008), and leading up to 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019).

He has also played Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie's 'Sherlock Holmes' (2009), which earned him his second Golden Globe, and its sequel, 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' (2011).

Robert Downey Jr. has received numerous accolades throughout his career including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, two BAFTA Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

He has also received a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award. For his role as Charlie Chaplin in the Richard Attenborough-directed biographical epic 'Chaplin' (1991) he received the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

For his comedic role in Ben Stiller's satirical war comedy 'Tropic Thunder' (2008) he received his second Academy Award nomination, this time for the Best Supporting Actor.