Robert Downey Jr. received marijuana at the age of six
From his father, people. From his father
Last night, the Oscars were awarded for the 96th time and of course, Oppenheimer was the big winner. The filmmakers are over the moon because this film is both a masterpiece in terms of content and cinematography, and at the same time, a box office success. For a film that lasts three hours and requires quite a bit of historical background knowledge, that is unprecedented. Oppenheimer was showered with a fountain of awards, including for best supporting actor. Robert Downey Jr. received that for his role as Admiral Lewis Strauss, which he interprets masterfully.
While an Oscar speech often dives into clichés, Robert Downey delivered a speech that hooked right into your heart.
“I want to thank my horrible childhood and the academy”
His father was addicted to drugs, his mother to alcohol. His father gave Robert Downey Jr. marijuana at the age of six and says there could have been ‘a little cocaine’ involved as well. From the age of eight, he and his father regularly used drugs together. Downey Jr. says this became a bit of ‘their moment’, where his father tried to show his love for him by doing something he enjoyed: using drugs. So I can imagine everything about the adjective ‘horrible’.
He also thanks his wife Susan Downey.
“She found me a snarling rescue pet and loved me back for life.”
Susan and Robert met in 2003, where he proposed to her just before her thirtieth birthday. The couple has been together since then and according to Guy Ritchie, they are the best example of a symbiotic marriage, like yin and yang. “Robert would be a pain in the ass if he didn’t have Susan to police him.” Susan Downey graduated summa cum laude from the School of Cinematic Arts, and together with Robert Downey, they have the production company Team Downey and two children, daughter Avri and son Exton.
Then he talks about his role.
“Here’s my little secret. I needed this job more than it needed me. I stand for you as a better man.”
And then he concludes by thanking his entertainment lawyer who has worked for him for forty years and whose poor man has spent at least twenty years trying to keep Robert Downey Jr. somewhat on the straight and narrow and arrange insurance for him.
Robert Downey Jr., I think you are brilliant. Perhaps even more brilliant in real life than in Oppenheimer.
