Robert Downey Jr.’s Best Roles

Robert Downey Jr. possesses a unique talent and charisma that have made him one of the most compelling actors of his generation. His career is a remarkable story of incredible promise, well-documented personal struggles, and one of the most triumphant comebacks in Hollywood history. He first gained critical acclaim as a young actor for his impressive range and screen presence in a variety of challenging roles.

His resurgence in the 2000s, culminating in his iconic casting as Tony Stark, is nothing short of legendary. That single role not only revitalized his career on a massive scale but also became the bedrock of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, changing the landscape of modern blockbuster filmmaking. He has since solidified his status as a global superstar who effortlessly blends wit, charm, and emotional depth in every performance.

‘Tropic Thunder’ (2008)

In this satirical comedy, Robert Downey Jr. plays Kirk Lazarus, a highly decorated and extremely dedicated Australian method actor. His character is so committed to his craft that he undergoes a controversial “pigmentation alteration” surgery to darken his skin for the role of a Black soldier in a high-budget Vietnam War film.

Throughout the movie, Lazarus refuses to break character, offering absurd commentary on acting and the nature of his role. His over-the-top performance is a parody of method acting itself, and he serves as a key member of the group of pampered actors who find themselves in a real-life combat situation.

‘Wonder Boys’ (2000)

He plays Terry Crabtree, a flamboyant and clever book editor from New York City. His character comes to Pittsburgh for a literary festival but is really there to check on the progress of a long-overdue novel by one of his clients, a college professor experiencing severe writer’s block.

Crabtree is a charismatic and slightly chaotic force who injects energy and complications into the professor’s already messy life. He spends the weekend searching for the next great book and getting himself entangled in the personal dramas of the various characters he encounters.

‘Natural Born Killers’ (1994)

In this satirical crime film, he portrays Wayne Gale, a sensationalist television journalist who hosts a popular tabloid-style show focusing on violent criminals. His character is a caricature of true-crime media personalities, driven by ratings and a desire for fame.

Gale’s ambition culminates in him securing a live, post-Super Bowl interview from prison with the film’s infamous serial killer protagonist. The interview quickly spirals out of control, and his character transforms from an observer of violence into a direct participant in the chaos.

‘Chef’ (2014)

Robert Downey Jr. has a memorable supporting role as Marvin, the sharp-dressed and confident ex-husband of a restaurant hostess who is the main character’s love interest. Marvin is a wealthy and somewhat controlling figure who becomes an unlikely benefactor.

When the film’s protagonist, a chef who has lost his job, decides to start a food truck, Marvin provides the initial investment needed to get the business off the ground. His character’s involvement is a pivotal moment that helps set the chef on a new and successful path.

‘Good Night, and Good Luck.’ (2005)

In this historical drama, he plays Joseph Wershba, a real-life writer and producer for CBS News during the 1950s. The film centers on the conflict between broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow and the anti-Communist Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Wershba works closely with Murrow and his dedicated team to expose McCarthy’s dishonest tactics on their news program. A key subplot involves his character’s secret marriage to a colleague, which they must hide from CBS due to a company policy that forbade married couples from working together.

‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ (2005)

He stars as Harry Lockhart, a petty thief from New York who, while fleeing from a botched robbery, accidentally stumbles into an audition for a Hollywood movie. His genuine desperation is mistaken for acting talent, and he is flown to Los Angeles for a screen test.

To prepare for his potential role as a detective, Harry is paired with a cynical private investigator for a ride-along. He quickly gets entangled in a complex murder mystery that involves his childhood crush, becoming an amateur sleuth in a dangerous and confusing real-life case.

‘Chaplin’ (1992)

Robert Downey Jr. takes on the title role in this biographical film about the life of the legendary comedian and filmmaker Charlie Chaplin. The performance covers Chaplin’s entire life, from his impoverished upbringing in Victorian London to his rise as one of the first and greatest global movie stars.

The film chronicles the creation of his iconic Tramp character, his revolutionary work in cinema, his tumultuous personal life, and his eventual exile from the United States due to his political views. His portrayal required him to master Chaplin’s unique physical comedy and complex personality.

‘Sherlock Holmes’ (2009)

In this film, he reimagines the classic literary detective Sherlock Holmes as a brilliant but highly eccentric man of action. This version of Holmes is not only a master of deduction but also a skilled bare-knuckle boxer and martial artist living in Victorian London.

The story follows Holmes and his steadfast partner, Dr. John Watson, as they investigate a series of brutal murders tied to a secret society with seemingly supernatural powers. He must use both his incredible intellect and his physical prowess to unravel the conspiracy.

‘Zodiac’ (2007)

He plays Paul Avery, a prominent and hard-living crime reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle during the 1960s and 70s. His character becomes one of the main journalists covering the story of the Zodiac, a serial killer who terrorizes Northern California and sends taunting letters to the press.

Avery’s initial professional ambition and obsession with the case gradually take a heavy toll on his life. The constant fear and pressure from the killer’s direct threats contribute to his descent into paranoia and substance abuse, showcasing the human cost of the infamous manhunt.

‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016)

He returns as Tony Stark, whose perspective on the Avengers has evolved significantly. Following a mission with devastating collateral damage, he comes to believe that the super-powered team needs government oversight and accountability, and he supports an international accord to regulate them.

This position puts him in direct ideological opposition to Captain America, who fears that government agendas will corrupt the team’s mission. Their disagreement escalates into a deeply personal conflict that divides the Avengers and forces the heroes to fight one another.

‘Iron Man’ (2008)

This is the film that launched a cinematic universe, with Robert Downey Jr. in the role of Tony Stark. His character is a genius, billionaire, and head of a major weapons manufacturing company. He is a charismatic playboy who is captured by terrorists during a weapons demonstration.

While held captive, he is forced to build a weapon but instead secretly constructs a revolutionary powered suit of armor to escape. Upon returning home, he has a change of heart about his company’s legacy and refines the suit to become the armored superhero known as Iron Man.

‘The Avengers’ (2012)

Tony Stark is recruited by a secret government agency to join a team of unique heroes to combat an unprecedented global threat. As Iron Man, he brings his powerful technology, vast resources, and sharp intellect to the newly formed group.

His sarcastic and individualistic personality initially causes friction with the other members of the team, particularly the dutiful Captain America. However, he ultimately embraces his role as part of the team and makes a critical, selfless play during the final battle to save New York City from an alien invasion.

‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018)

In this film, Tony Stark serves as one of Earth’s primary defenders against the arrival of the powerful cosmic villain Thanos. He is among the first heroes to engage with Thanos’s forces and quickly finds himself in a desperate battle far from home.

Along with a small group of heroes, he travels to another planet to confront Thanos directly in a last-ditch effort to prevent him from acquiring all of the powerful Infinity Stones. The confrontation ends in a devastating defeat that has catastrophic consequences for the entire universe.

‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019)

The film begins with Tony Stark adrift in space and defeated, but he eventually returns to Earth and tries to build a quiet life with his family. He is reluctantly drawn back into action when the surviving heroes devise a plan to travel through time and undo the damage done by Thanos.

His scientific genius is essential to making the time travel plan a reality. In the final, epic battle for the fate of the universe, he makes the ultimate sacrifice by wielding the power of the Infinity Stones himself to defeat Thanos and his army for good.

‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)

He portrays Lewis Strauss, a founding commissioner and later chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. His character is a complex and influential figure in post-World War II American politics and a key figure in the life of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer.

The story explores the intricate and contentious relationship between the two men. Initially a supporter, Strauss’s pride and political ambition lead him to become Oppenheimer’s primary antagonist, orchestrating a security clearance hearing designed to discredit and humiliate the celebrated scientist.

Let us know which Robert Downey Jr. role is your all-time favorite in the comments.