The Institute for Robert Downey Jr Studies

The institute was formed in early 2002 as a venue for the works of true scholars — fans who go beyond the norm in their research and analysis.

Required Viewing

Reading List

Team Downey Talks to The Hollywood Reporter (2014)
A rare joint interview with Susan and Robert Downey Jr.

Playboy Interview: Robert Downey Jr (2010)
Looking ahead without forgetting the past.

Variety’s The Movie That Changed My Life (2009)
Book excerpt where he talks about growing up with a ‘film snob.’

The Second Greatest Actor in the World (2009)
A day in the life of a legit superstar.

The Man Who Wasn’t There (2008)
Forget everything you read before this. And after it.

The Time 100: Robert Downey Jr (2008)
Ben Stiller writes about Downey for the list of 2008’s most influential people.

Boys Gone Wild (2008)
Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Downey talk about Tropic Thunder.

May God Bless and Keep Robert Downey Jr (2007)
Pre-Iron Man interview introduces the new improved Downey.

Tracks of His Years (2005)
Downey discusses his favorite music over the years.

The Sobering Life of Robert Downey Jr (2003)
Recovery and redemption.

The Star in Cell 17 (2000)
The most in-depth account of his time in Corcoran State Prison.

Robert Downey’s Last Party (1999)
A very candid interview, lots of personal info and insights.

Projections 10: Hollywood Film-makers on Film-making (1999)
Interesting interview covering a wide range of topics, including movies.

My Kind of Guy (1998)
Article with great insights about Two Girls and a Guy.

Playboy Interview: Robert Downey Jr (1997)
The definitive RDJ interview of the era.

The Father of the Man (1997)
Another interview with James Toback, talks about several films including Two Girls and a Guy.

Irrepressible, Irresistible Robert Downey Jr. (1995)
You can sort of tell it’s all about to fall apart.

Trampled (1993)
An insightful piece on Chaplin.

Single White Males (1992) site exclusive
Excerpt from article about author’s trip to 1992 Republican convention, details what he witnessed at a filming session for The Last Party.

Rockin’ Robert (1991)
Post Air America article delves into Robert Downey Jr’s position in Hollywood and why he’d never been in a hit movie.

Ups and Downeys (1990)
Enlightening article where Robert Downey Jr interviews his father.

Cinema Scion (1989)
Explores the wisdom of the then 23-year-old actor.

Robert Downey’s Weird Science of Acting (1988)
This 1980s interview can only be classified as an "historical" article now.

The New Breed: Actors Coming of Age (1988)
Deep thoughts on growing up and his early film career.

Field Study

Hasty Pudding Man of the Year
Full report, with photos, from the award ceremony and roast of Robert Downey Jr.

Department of Television Studies

Robert Downey Jr on Ally McBeal
History and photos of Ally McBeal’s dreamboat lawyer Larry Paul.

Live From New York, It’s a Tired Young Man
Photos and history of Robert Downey Jr’s time on Saturday Night Live.

Downey References on The Simpsons
Includes photo evidence of Downey’s likeness on The Simpsons.

Research

Various States of Undress
Details about all his shirtless, nude and less-than-clothed scenes.

The Disguises of Sherlock Holmes
A gallery of all the disguises that Sherlock wears in both movies.

iTunes Celebrity Playlist
His 10 favorite songs.

Double Your Pleasure
Actors and directors he has worked with 2 or more times.

Repeating Character Names
Films in which Downey played characters with the same names.

Foreign Titles
What his movies are called around the world, with translations.

Robert Downey Jr Quotes
Downey on politics, personalities and himself.

Editorials

Brilliant Careers: Robert Downey Jr
A review of several Downey films.

The Complex Brilliance of Robert Downey Jr. in Ally McBeal
An academic article on Downey’s effect on Ally McBeal.