Robert Downey Jr. Set to Dominate Oscars 2024 in Vanity Fair

Written by Anthony Breznican

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Robert Downey Jr. is highly anticipated to secure the supporting actor Oscar for his performance in Oppenheimer. It's expected to serve as a fitting successor to a treasured memento he has held onto for over four decades. As a high school student at Santa Monica in the early 1980s, Downey had already acted in minor roles in his father’s indie films. But the role of a singing cowboy in a school musical was what sparked his interest in professional acting.

“I won best-supporting-actor for my role in Oklahoma! during my school days. I played the character of Will Parker,” he reminisced during a recent Q&A session with American Cinematheque. Conveying wonder, he added, “Frankly, it's astonishing that I still have that award, considering the life I’ve led.”

He further explained that we all have certain objects that hold unique significance to us. For him, his first award from the 80s is one of those objects.

An Oscar win would be the fulfillment of a dream he had since his teenage years. It would also mark the third chapter of a story that started with his first Oscar nomination in 1993 for portraying Charlie Chaplin in the silent-film biopic "Chaplin". As Vanity Fair reported, the second chapter began after he overcame a dangerous and public downfall involving substance addiction. His career revival started with the 2008 global box office hit Iron Man, which also launched a whole new cinematic universe. That same year, he was once again nominated for an Oscar for his role in the satirical film Tropic Thunder.

Now at 58, Downey has developed a more mature and steady perspective on life, often garnished with self-deprecating humor about his tumultuous past. After years of comic book films and comedies showcasing his charm, he yearned for another game-changing role like the one he had in Chaplin. It was a role that propelled him from being a sidekick and cheeky character in the brat pack movies and romantic comedies to being counted among the most gifted actors of his era.

Downey gives credit to Christopher Nolan, the writer-director of Oppenheimer, for offering him a chance to surpass his potential that was first recognized when he was nominated for Chaplin. Nolan encouraged him to step out of his comfort zone and explore a new arena.

Downey further anticipates a sure win at the Oscar on Sunday, stating, “I am inevitable.”.

Within the film, Downey plays Admiral Lewis Strauss, a Washington DC officer who has served at various government levels. He famously opposed Cillian Murphy’s character, physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. While filming a pivotal scene in the film, Nolan pushed Downey to deliver multiple takes in order to perfectly capture the breakdown of his character’s ego.

Downey expressed his exhaustion, admitting, “I felt that we'd nailed it. But Nolan insisted, ‘We might have it, but I know there’s something more.’” Downey retold, with obvious exasperation, his response at the time, “No, there isn’t! Not for me!”

Upon reflection, Downey acknowledged the importance of pushing past his "lazy meter" to achieve growth.

Downey also spoke of the similarities between his role in Chaplin and Murphy’s demanding lead role in Oppenheimer. However, he modestly admitted that his younger self couldn't have delivered the mature performance that Murphy had been able to bring to his role.

Downey is currently living up to a distinct kind of promise he made many years ago. In a 1993 interview with veteran journalist Bob Thomas from Associated Press, Downey admitted his long-standing struggle with alcohol and drugs. Archival footage from a recent Netflix documentary “Sr.” also revealed Downey’s late father, filmmaker Robert Downey Sr., expressing regret over introducing the young Downey to substances that altered his mind.

In that 1993 interview, a 28-year old Downey described how he was out of control, and his struggle with addiction was akin to a metaphor for seeking a different place, an escape from being uncomfortable in his own skin. He relished the joy of attending Chaplin’s gala premiere sober and also being completely aware and present the next day.

Downey was candid about his commitment to sobriety, largely driven by lost time, mistakes, loss of friendships, self-respect, missed moments, and many a holidays spent under the table instead of at it. He went on to say "I’ve taken some preventive measures,

Downey began to make promises, one of them being that he was no longer going to challenge God. But this was a promise he couldn’t keep then. Despite losing the best actor Oscar to Al Pacino for “Scent of a Woman," Downey's talent continued to struggle under the weight of his addictions. As the early 2000s rolled in, his addictions knocked him out of the limelight and into a brief stint in prison. This led to redemption, a hard-fought rise. Downey managed to fight his demons, got married, and gradually resurrected his acting career, although many producers, including Nolan, were still wary of working with him due to his troubled past.

At one point, Downey was a contender for the villainous role of Scarecrow in 2005’s "Batman Begins," but Nolan passed the role on to Murphy due to concerns about hiring Downey. This apprehension wasn’t unique to Nolan; even Marvel executives hesitated to let director Jon Favreau and producer Kevin Feige cast Downey in “Iron Man” due to concerns raised by unnamed executives.

Despite all odds, Downey got the part, thanks to an impressive screen test that clearly demonstrated his charisma and panache, which fit perfectly with Tony Stark. This coupled with his revamped work ethic and personal commitment turned him into a bankable and reliable asset for the industry. This led to more roles, including another Oscar nod for his satirical portrayal of his own profession in 2008’s irreverent and comically outrageous "Tropic Thunder."

Downey’s ruthless parody of the self-importance that often plagues the film industry, through the character of Kirk Lazarus - a repeatedly Oscar-nominated actor - did not go unnoticed. Even though Downey did not win the Oscar for "Tropic Thunder," he has managed to win the hearts of many within his fraternity. This includes director Nolan, who appreciated Downey’s support when he was dealing with the loss of actor Heath Ledger, who also tragically fought and lost to his own addictions.

According to Nolan, Downey's empathetic look full of love and support during the award ceremony was reminiscent of his own journey and Downey's magnanimous support to many others grappling with their own struggles over the years.

Downey has never shied away from honestly addressing his ups and downs, although he doesn’t tolerate having his face rubbed in them. His candor has been an inspiration to those who struggle with the same painful issues, and his endurance and success serve as an uplifting alternative to similar stories that have ended horrifically for others. He has become the patron saint of second chances for fellow performers who have made grave mistakes or fallen on hard times, and he encourages mercy even when it places him under fire. He had, after all, benefited from the same once upon a time.

In Chaplin, Downey brought the silent film star’s story to an emotional crescendo in a scene set at the 1972 Academy Awards, just days before Chaplin’s 73rd birthday, when he was singled out for celebration by his Hollywood peers and moviegoers around the world. Win or lose, the same sentiment has brought Downey to this moment and the ceremony that will unfold on Sunday.