Robert Downey Jr. Gives Touching Tribute After Father's Death

Robert Downey Sr. passed away on Tuesday night in his sleep at his NYC home. The filmmaker had been battling Parkinson's disease for many years he was 85. Robert Downey Jr. confirmed the news through an Instagram post and talked about his father's battle with Parkinson's.

He also labeled his father "a true maverick". It was no secret that Downey Jr. and his father had an up and down relationship throughout his life. However, it seems that the Roberts reunited in later life.

Downey Jr. is his father's second son from his first marriage to Elise. He and his sister Allyson were featured in their father's films from a very young age. Even though the relationship with his mother did not last Downey then formed a good relationship with his stepmother for caring for his father all these years. He mentioned in the IG post,

"According to my stepmoms calculations, they were happily married for just over 2000 years, Rosemary Rogers-Downey, you are a saint, and our thoughts and prayers are with you."

Robert Downey Sr. (director), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Robert Downey Sr. won't necessarily be remembered for the big-budget films that we associate his son with. He made his mark most in more underground low-budget films in the 60s and 70s. Some of his most influential films of his career are Putney Swope and Greaser's Place. 

The nature of these low-budget films is in many ways what allowed Robert to get his start in acting. He was thrust onto a movie set since the age of 5. As we mentioned his father was known for including him and his sister in his films.

Robert Downey Sr. was actually born Robert Elias Jr. However, he would later change his name officially to Downey which was his stepfather's surname. It turns out he decided to change his name in an effort to enlist in the US army even though he was underage. Essentially he was trying to tamper with his birth record to be able to admitted into the army.

Ultimately he began immersing himself into the film seen. The fact that he was a native New Yorker and mostly remained on the east coast for his productions pushed him to make more underground films.

Robert Downey Jr's career after playing Iron Man in the Marvel cinematic universe has included an odd combination of roles. His highly anticipated role as Dr. Doolittle completely flopped at least with critics. The film was able to get some of the production money back.

He's currently stepping into the role of executive producer for a couple of productions. He executive produces two ongoing series called Perry Mason, and Sweet Tooth. He's certainly come a long way from his first role in his father's film Pound.