How much is Robert Downey Jr. worth?
| Net Worth: | $290 Million |
|---|---|
| Profession: | Professional Actor |
| Date of Birth: | April 4, 1965 (age 57) |
| Country: | United States of America |
| Height: | 5 ft 8 in (1.74 m) |
About Robert Downey Jr.
From 2013 to 2015, Robert was listed by Forbes magazine as the highest paid actor in Hollywood, beating out hundreds of other notable actors for the title. His work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing the recurring role of Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man, has been massively profitable. He is the second highest-grossing box office lead star of all time, only topped by Samuel L. Jackson.
Robert made his film debut in the 1970 movie Pound, at the age of five. Though his relationship with his father wasn’t always so productive, he filled several small roles in some of his father’s movies. Robert Downey Sr, his father, allowed Robert to use marijuana for the first time when he was only six years old.
Robert’s father may have been a core reason why Robert Jr. went on to have such serious substance abuse issues later on. Robert has said that doing drugs facilitated an emotional bond between himself and his father, and this led him to become severely addicted to drugs and alcohol.
Jr. made several breakthroughs in the films he starred in during his early career. He was in movies such as Less Than Zero and Chaplin, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. However, his career tanked when he was removed from the cast of the TV show Ally McBeal, which he had achieved success for, after he was subject to several drug charges.
For the next five years Robert suffered from devastating substance abuse, unable to recover, until he finally achieved rehabilitation. With the help of his close friend Mel Gibson, Robert landed a role in the 2003 film The Singing Detective. Things got better from there as he was featured in more films, until he finally landed the role that made him internationally famous.
Robert was cast as Iron Man in the film Iron Man (2008). Despite the fact that he wasn’t the obvious choice for the role, he was chosen because the director was confident in Robert’s ability to make the character come to life. Iron Man was released in 2008 and earned over $585.8 million dollars in box offices across the globe.
Since then, through almost continuous appearances in shows and in radio with his incredible confident fun loving personality and conversation, Robert Downey Jr. may be one of the most liked actors working today.
Robert and his wife, Susan Downey, founded a film production company called Team Downey. Though it hasn’t been hugely active, it produced the 2014 film The Judge, as well as the more recent film Dolitte, which came out in late January of this year. However, Dolittle earned $251.4 million dollars in box offices, which likely contributed slightly to Robert’s fortune.
Downey Jr.’s Total Net Worth
Robert Downey Jr. was paid just $500,000 for the first Iron Man film. He earned $10 million for Iron Man 2 and, as part of a percentage of the profits deal, he earned a reported $70 million from Iron Man 3. That makes Downey Jr.’s comebacks, one of the most profitable in Hollywood history.
Not only has he earned more money than he likely knows what to do with from his role as Tony Stark, something in the region of $350 million, including his appearances in Avengers, but he has also earned $15 million for Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, and more besides from movies like Due Date. In total, Robert Downey Jr. has earned estimated total career income of $475 million dollars.
Of that amount, around $35 million is expected to have been paid in business related costs. The remainder, $440 million, will have been taxed at a rate of around 49% as Robert Downey Jr. has been residing in the state of California. After tax, it is estimated that his career earnings are at around $224.4 million dollars, having paid $215.6 million dollars in taxes.
Robert Downey Jr. married Deborah Falconer in 1992 and they divorced twelve years later, in 2004. There may have been a divorce settlement payment made to Deborah, but it has since become inconsequential to Downey’s net worth. They do have one child together however, Indio Falconer Downey, and some money will have been paid in child support and no doubt, spousal support.
Robert Downey Jr. married Susan Downey in 2005 and they remain together. They have two children together, Avri Roel and Exton Elias Downey, and Robert’s personal life has been peaceful since his resurgence, and not to mention, becoming one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood.
In his personal life, Robert Downey Jr. has likely spent $10-12 million dollars of his career earnings but also probably possesses assets valued at around $6-7 million, not including investment assets. In his investments, he may have earned investment returns of $70-80 million dollars. Therefore, it is estimated that Robert Downey Jr. has a net worth of around $290 million dollars.
Robert Downey Jr.’s success comes from his determination and perseverance, as well as his acting talent. Though his career flatlined after he achieved initial success, he went through rehabilitation and recovered from his substance abuse issues and later resurfaced, achieving levels of success much higher than in his early career.
Though he wasn’t the obvious choice for the role of Tony Stark in Iron Man, the director was confident in his acting talent and ability to bring the character to life. Now, Robert Downey Jr. is one of the most powerful and iconic actors of all time. His role of Iron Man is considered one of the greatest roles of all time, irregardless of genre.
Robert is known internationally for his film roles as well as his charming personality. In 2008, Robert was even included on Time Magazine’s list of the “100 Most Influential People”. However, he has gone through many difficulties in his career, including dire substance abuse issues. All of which he has bounced back from coming back each time stronger, and better, than ever.
Summing-Up
Despite his career completely crashing after severe drug addiction issues, Robert Downey Jr. was able to recover and resurface as an actor. He achieved success at a young age, but it wasn’t until he resurfaced and took on the leading role in the Iron Man film series that he truly became the powerful and iconic figure that he is today.
