Actor Robert Downey Jr. is one of the most successful movie stars in the world in recent decades. To be where he is today, the actor must credit a special person.

Sharing on the recent Armchair Expert podcast, Robert Downey Jr. Frankly recounted the period he considered the darkest in his life, which was around the late 1990s.

Actor Robert Downey Jr.

Robert was born in 1965, into a family with a tradition of art in New York. Therefore, he grew up in a somewhat liberal environment similar to his parents’ personalities. The actor dropped out of school and got involved with stimulants early in his teens.

Robert’s life turned around when he entered the film industry and was nominated for an Oscar for his supporting role in the film Chaplin (1992). However, success pushed Robert even deeper into a self-indulgent lifestyle. In the mid-1990s, the actor was repeatedly arrested for using stimulants, illegally possessing weapons and had to go to prison for more than a year.

When he was released from prison, he was still used to his old ways, immersed in games that had forgotten his days. Hollywood filmmakers gradually turned their backs on Robert, although they still regretted the budding talent that quickly faded away. His first wife Deborah Falconer also left him, taking her son with her to find a better life.

Love is the driving force to rebuild life

His career and family were both broken, Robert was in pain for many years until he met Susan Levin. The two met while participating in the Gothika project. In contrast to Robert, Susan was born and raised in a more disciplined family, whose parents were Jewish businessmen. She graduated with honors from the University of Southern California and decided to go to Hollywood with the dream of becoming a film producer. Mutual friends of the star couple described Susan at that time as “a good girl, not fond of partying and only focusing on work”.

With opposing personalities, Susan initially hated the actor with many talents and many flaws. She recounted in an interview: “He is always different. People at the studio usually order ready-made food, but he prepares his own oatmeal and calls it a superfood. Everyone often eats quickly to finish it.” meal. Before eating, he practices yoga.” Meanwhile, the Iron Man star fell in love with her after a few interactions. However, each of his invitations to go on a date was answered with a shake of the head from the beauty.

After a long time of rain, Susan could not resist the attraction of the handsome movie star. The two announced their love on the red carpet at the premiere of the movie The Singing Detective in October 2003. After completing the film Gothika, Robert proposed but Susan refused. She even demanded that her boyfriend go to rehab or else they would break up. Robert did not hesitate and threw the drug package into the sea, raising his hands and swearing never to touch them again. After that, he voluntarily went to rehab. That action immediately scored points in the beauty’s eyes. Not long after, the couple got married in August 2025 in New York.

Robert Downey Jr. and Susan walked the red carpet together for the first time.

Couple in love on their wedding day.

Since dating, Susan has become a powerful hand helping Robert Downey Jr. Focus on acting. She met and convinced many filmmakers in Hollywood to give him a chance. Robert gradually regained his reputation before catching the eye of superhero company Marvel. He was given the role of superhero Iron Man, starring in his own film released in 2008. Everything that happened after that became a page of heroic history for both Robert and the film franchise.

Consummation at the age of fifty

After many turmoil and misfortunes, Robert now enjoys a happy life with his family. He and Susan have two children together and settled in New York. After his success with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the actor became more private and did not act as much as before.

Robert’s post-Iron Man projects have not left much of an impression. However, the actor is still optimistic and waiting for the next opportunity to shine. Unlike before, the Iron Man actor now has a solid backing to always accompany him through bitter and sweet experiences.

Susan accompanied Robert Downey Jr. during the past 20 years.

Robert Downey Jr. Enjoy life with your wife and children at a villa in America.

In the near future, he will appear in many notable film and television projects. Among them, the typical blockbuster Oppenheimer by famous director Christopher Nolan is expected to hit theaters in mid-July. He also agreed to continue starring in season 3 of the popular detective series Sherlock Holmes.

From an addict at risk of losing his whole life, thanks to his wife’s love and support, Robert is now a top Hollywood actor with a salary of about 20 million USD per film. Always grateful for that, Robert Downey Jr. said in an interview in mid-2019: “If I hadn’t met Susan, I probably would have stayed on a certain street many years ago. She made me restrain myself and live responsibly with my work.” and family”.