Despite all the odds and struggles in his personal life, Robert Downey Jr. made a great comeback and became one of the best-known names in the industry. While his portrayal ofTony Stark may have popularized him, his portfolio also includes plenty of other great characters.
Robert Downey Jr. has brought to life the detective Sherlock Holmes, Charlie Chaplin, and many others with his versatile performances. You may associate him withIron Man, but some of his best movies aren’tunder the MCUbanner.
8Soapdish
David Seton Barnes
Soapdish follows the on-screen and off-screen lives of the cast of a daily soap opera. Sally Fields plays the star of the show, Celeste. She worries about age catching up with her and running her off the lead role. She’s right to be fearful, as her supporting actresses are eyeing her spot.
RDJ plays David Barnes, a producer convinced by Montana, one of the supporting actresses, to increase her screen time in return for sexual favors. Downey Jr. plays his part to perfection, and while his character is arrogant, he shoots some of the most hilarious one-liners.
7Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
InSherlock Holmes, Robert Downey Jr. fills the shoes of the titular character and solves crimes with his companion and best friend, Dr. Watson, played by Jude Law. The film is fast-paced and follows the duo as they investigate the mystery around Lord Henry Blackwood, a mythic who has risen from the dead.
Downey Jr. adds his eccentric personality to the character andplays a unique Sherlock Holmeswho is confident in his skills, witty, and can even hold his own in a fight. This deviates from most interpretations of the detective, where his mental power overshadows his physical abilities.
6Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Chaplin is a masterpiece in the career of Robert Downey Jr., and the movie earned him his first Oscar nomination. Downey takes on the role of the famous English comedian and silent film artist, Charlie Chaplin. RDJ nailed the character’s British accent and his unique mannerisms, making the role his own.
Downey played Chaplin from his youth till his old age and successfully convinced the audience that he was the legendary comedian. The actor performed his own stunts and hired a personal coach to ensure he could reenact Chaplin’s walking style and posture. The movie is a tad long, but Downey’s performance ensures it never feels like a slog.
5Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang
Harold Lockhart
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang tells the ludicrous tale of a small-time thief, Harry Lockhart, RDJ, who unintentionally passes a screen test while running from the scene of a burglary gone wrong. The movie takes you through many twists and turns where you wonder what’s going to happen next.
Downey Jr. is known for taking on roles where he is competent, so his portrayal of the inept Harry is relatable and hilarious. RDJ has iconic comedic timing, and this was one of the first roles he took when he made his comeback. It paid off well and was received positively, with fans wanting the actor to do more buddy cop movies.
4Zodiac
Paul Avery
Zodiac follows the story of a serial killer known as the Zodiac Killer, who craves attention and toys with the media. Paul Avery, a journalist, and Robert Greysmith, a cartoonist, get involved with the killer and attempt to find out who he is. Avery slowly starts to unravel and turns to alcohol for support when the killer threatens him.
Greysmith becomes obsessed with finding the killer’s identity, which causes him to lose his job and family. The movie was one of the first lead roles Downey Jr. got when he made his comeback, and he portrayed the arrogant and then drowning in alcohol Avery perfectly.
3Tropic Thunder
Kirk Lazarus
Downey Jr. plays the role of award-winning Australian actor Kirk Lazarus, who is known for being a method actor. To portray the role of an African American, the character undergoes a pigment alteration procedure that turns his skin black.
RJD plays Lazarus, who plays the African American platoon leader. The film is one of the best in his portfolio, and it showcases his comedic skills in full. The star cast includes some of the greatest, like Jack Black and Ben Stiller, but Downey Jr. manages to shine despite them. It’s very hard to imagine anyone else being able to tackle such a role.
2Oppenheimer
Rear Admiral Lewis Strauss
Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Rear Admiral Lewis Strauss is one of the most complex roles of his career and also the most outside his comfort zone. Strauss is significantly different from the comedic characters that RDJ is known for. He is a military man who is dignified and of a more serious nature.
Downey Jr. beautifully portrayed every aspect of Strauss, including but not limited to how powerful the man was and his insecurities that ultimately led to his downfall. This role showcases how versatile Robert Downey Jr. is and displays that he could easily do more serious roles compared to his usually sarcastic ones.
1Ironman
Tony Stark/Iron Man
Robert Downey Jr. is most known for what may be his best role, Iron Man. The movie is an origin story and shows the hero making his suit of armor in an Afghan cave with a box of scraps. His kidnapping at the hands of terrorists leads to a change of heart in him, and when he escapes, he wants peace.
Downey Jr. portrayed the arrogant playboy billionaire so well that Iron Man and he are synonymous, with many fans claiming there can be no other Tony Stark. He has stated that his real-life struggles and experiences played a huge part in relating with the flawed character. The biggest win of the Iron Man and RDJ combination is the argument that it led the MCU to where it is today.
