The Oscar winner became a major screen star in the '80s and '90s
Credit: Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank
Robert Downey Jr. made Hollywood fall in love with him from day one.
At age 5, he appeared in his first film, Pound, directed by his late dad Robert Downey Sr. He rose to fame with roles opposite the Brat Pack in the '80s, gave a critically acclaimed performance in 1992's Chaplin and has become one of the most globally recognized actors since taking on the role of Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008. Over the course of his expansive career, the Oscar-winning actor has filled his years with all sorts of twists and turns that have led him to cinematic success and happiness at home with wife Susan and their family.
“I got a couple other tricks up my sleeve,” he told PEOPLE of his next act.
“We're just getting started,” added his wife, also his producing partner. "There's so many more things we want to do together and achieve together and play together, create together.”
As Downey Jr. continues that ride, with another Avengers movie out in December 2026, look back on some of his most iconic moments from the late 1980s and early 1990s.
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Start Your Engines
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He exuded cool in a vehicle with his Only You costars Marisa Tomei, Joaquim de Almeida and Bonnie Hunt.
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Go the Extra Smile
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Downey Jr. beamed from ear to ear as he made a dapper appearance at the MTV Movie Awards.
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Hats Amazing
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Sarah Jessica Parker, whom he dated from 1984 to 1991, arrived with him at Norman Lear's home in Beverly Hills, California.
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Suit Yourself
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His sense of style has always been impeccable, as seen by the chic plaid suit he wore to a New York City fundraiser.
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Live from New York
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For one season from 1985 to 1986, Robert Downey Jr. joined the cast of Saturday Night Live. Here, he visits "Weekend Update" with Dennis Miller and Anthony Michael Hall.
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His Wild Side
On Saturday Night Live, he had the audience laughing and swooning with chest-baring skits like "Models Against the Wilderness."
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Getting Weird
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Robert Downey Jr. joined (from left) Anthony Michael Hall, Robert Rusler and Ilan Mitchell-Smith for 1985's Weird Science.
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Total Natural
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Robert Downey Jr. earned critical acclaim for his work in 1994's Natural Born Killers.
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What's the Dish?
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He charmed again in 1991's ensemble piece, Soapdish.
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Quiet Time
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The 1992 film Chaplin earned Robert Downey Jr. his first Oscar nomination; he had another nod in 2008 for Tropic Thunder before winning in 2023 for Oppenheimer.
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Picture Perfect
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Robert Downey Jr.'s vibes were on full display in this undated portrait.
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Take Your Pick
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Alongside Molly Ringwald, Robert Downey Jr. had his '80s teenage dream moment in the 1987 movie The Pick-Up Artist.
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Period Piece
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In 1988, Robert Downey Jr. joined Kiefer Sutherland for the war drama 1969.
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Good Chance
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In a rom-com about reincarnation, Robert Downey Jr. starred alongside Cybill Shepherd.
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Swing Town
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The actor jumped into the thrills for the 1990 action film Air America.
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