Robert Downey Jr. is one of the most successful stars of modern cinema. After battling addiction for years, he resurrected his career in the ’00s and later put on the very familiar red and gold armor as Iron Man and became a mainstay in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His charmingly smug portrayal of Tony Stark completely transformed him and the superhero genre and kick-started one of the biggest franchises in film history.
Now that the studio has bid farewell to Downey’s Iron Man, it is the perfect time to rediscover some of his other memorable performances over the decades. Away from flying suits and repulsor beams, RDJ has shown tremendous depth and range as an actor and a producer, showing there are more sides to his stardom than just his time in the MCU.
Early in his career, Downey displayed a comedic flair and effortless likability in the movies he starred in. When the material was sub-par, his screen presence and overall talent elevated the stores. He even brought a dose of hidden gravitas to goofy thrillers like Tropical Thunder, proving he could transform himself physically and mentally into any role.
Downey’s ability to disappear into every part with equal sincerity is what made his return so well-received and prosperous. Whether playing a Chicago-based lawyer in The Judge or a devoted mentor figure in Chaplin, Downey Jr. imbues each character with layered complexity and wonderful unpredictability.
With that said, there are numerous examples of the star’s range outside of the superhero sphere if you care to look. Downey’s status as one of the most gifted actors working today will only grow from here on out. His lighthearted charm and every guy energy have led him to create some immensely memorable and beloved characters in film history, with or without a suit of armor. Here’s proof of why.
10 True Believer (1989)
In True Believer, Robert Downey Jr. lands on the other end of the acting spectrum, delivering a nuanced performance as a young law school graduate assisting a seasoned lawyer on a case that might change his perspective on life. The film centers around Eddie Dodd, a foul attorney who no longer fights for the right cause and defends drug dealers instead. When he is faced with a case to defend Shu Kai Kim in a long-running murder charge, he realizes there are deeper conspiracies at play.
True Believer is a time capsule of late ‘80s counterculture, with Downey still learning about political movements, decaying moral codes, and the price of forming dangerous alliances. Director Joseph Ruben brings out Downey’s quiet and compelling work and ultimately elevates the drama and suspense.
9 Chaplin (1992)
Of course, Downey’s greatest role of the ‘90s was as Charlie Chaplin in Chaplin. Directed by the very renowned and respected Richard Attenborough, the biographical film is a celebration of courage, creativity, and the continued struggle of the human spirit. It is never easy to play a legend that has already stunned audiences before, but
Downey completely disappears into the iconic role, mastering Chaplin’s physicality, melancholic soul, and timeless sense of humor. In Chaplin, we see what the actor is truly capable of achieving. Accompanied by a stellar cast including Anthony Hopkins, Dan Aykroyd, and Marisa Tomei, the movie becomes a profound entry in Downey’s filmography.
8 Short Cuts (1993)
Short Cuts is a volume of narratives. Based on a number of short stories by Raymond Carver and directed by Robert Altman, the movie follows the day-to-day lives of people in LA and sees these lives unexpectedly intertwine with one another. It announces Downey Jr.’s arrival as an actor of substance and range.
Part of an all-star ensemble cast made of Julianne Moore, Jack Lemmon, and Frances McDormand, Downey delivers one of the standout performances in this portrait of big-city life. It rarely so happens that a film enhances the quality of a literary work by bringing it onto the screen, but Altman crafts the story with delicate precision. The characters, their stories, and their feelings continue to stay in your mind long after the credits have rolled.
7 Richard III (1995)
There has been an abundance of on-screen adaptations of William Shakespeare’s legendary plays and works, and Richard III is one such epic tragedy. The story, set in the 1900s instead of the original 1400s, follows Richard III descending into madness as his place in the monarchy is threatened. His cunning manipulator techniques come to play as he tries to take down all who come in his way – his brother, his brother’s wife, and his nephews.
RDJ plays Lord Rivers, a prominent character in the story, known to history fanatics as Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers. As the story goes, Richard murders him on his quest for power. But the time that RDJ has on screen is outstanding. Downey delivers Shakespearean verse with a subtle and subversive energy, ensuring the character remains a figure of importance.
6 Bowfinger (1999)
Bowfinger takes a comedic approach to the movie industry and brings Downey Jr. a transformed hero. Considered among the long forgotten comedies of the 1990s, the movie follows filmmaker Bobby Bowfinger trying to save his sinking career. He has an idea to shoot a cheesy sci-fi flick, but no stars or a producer to get on board with.
Downey Jr. plays Jerry Renfro, a big-time producer who agrees to back Bobby’s film on one condition – A-list action star Kit Ramsey has to agree to play the lead. RDJ gets a fairly small amount of time on screen, but he makes sure to make it count. Against the group of “has-beens” and a clueless Steve Martin, the attempts to get a low-budget film completed are pumped up by Downey’s subtle egotistical vanity, an incredible comparison to his future role as Tony Stark.
5 Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
When actors defy genres and are self-aware of the magnetism they put on the screen, the results are always remarkable. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang illustrates Downey at his most compelling. He plays Harry Lockhart, a thief pretending to be an actor who gets pulled into a treacherous investigation after acquainting himself with a private detective.
The movie blends two popular genres – black comedy and mystery – and culminates into a breakthrough entry. Downey brings a sly humor to the role and portrays incredible chemistry with co-star Val Kilmer. After a long break from Hollywood, it was definitely refreshing to see the actor appear in a movie and stun critics and audiences alike.
4 Good Night, And Good Luck (2005)
Good Night, And Good Luck chronicles the real life events that occurred in the lives of Edward R. Murrow and U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy. Also known as the Red Scare of the 1950s, the retelling goes to many people caught in the crosshairs of the political controversy. The movie was George Clooney’s second directorial attempt, and he even starred as the seasoned friend of producer Fred Friendly.
RDJ plays CBS employee Joe Wershba, one of the other persons involved. The movie is a tribute to integrity, facts, and freedom in the face of growing turmoil. Downey delivers Wershba as a man of convictions who refuses to bend the truth for popularity or profits. His performance became a voice of reason in an era dominated by fear.
3 Zodiac (2007)
When it comes to true-crime movies, there are many that deliver brilliant results. And among the lot is director David Fincher’s Zodiac, a contrasting study of human nature. Based on two books written by Robert Graysmith, Zodiac and Zodiac Unmasked, the movie follows Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist who is obsessed with the Zodiac killer case.
Robert Downey Jr. plays Paul Avery, a journalist who has been covering the same case. The two men serve as a link between storylines and narration, with each having been affected by the matter in distinguished ways, hunting for clues over decades and uncovering secrets long buried. Downey does not just bring a sense of earnest bumbling to Avery, but his character hits the lowest low and still strikes the perfect balance between humor and pathos. The movie is considered to be RDJ’s best performance outside of the superhero sphere, and rightfully so.
2 Tropic Thunder (2008)
Not many controversial movies end up being recognized by the Academy, but for some reason, Tropic Thunder remains an exception. The story revolves around a film crew shooting an authentic-looking war movie at a location. It turns out that the cast has to act as real soldiers when a local drug ring mistakes them for someone else.
Starring alongside the like of Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Tom Cruise, Robert Downey Jr., who plays Kirk Lazarus, embraces the absurdity of the plot with such gusto. He mimics conventional Australian accents and mannerisms to near-comedic perfection. While the movie’s central theme seems offensive enough, one cannot deny that it is a satirical masterpiece that dares dig into the truths of the film industry.
1 Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Sherlock Holmes won Robert Downey Jr. his second Golden Globe award. Playing the legendary 19th-century detective and donning a British accent did not come easy to the actor, but he delivered nonetheless. His performance was charismatic and engaging, bringing a mix of mystery, humor, and rebellious energy to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s character.
In this outing, Holmes and his trusted friend Dr. Watson give Blackwood the drop. But he seems to have returned from the dead, and the thrill only escalates when Holmes goes on an adventure to capture him again. His chemistry with Jude Law is the very portrait of an unlikely yet inseparable duo bonded by a love of logic.