Robert Downey Jr.'s Wife: All about Susan Downey and Her Marriage to the 'Iron Man' Star
Robert Downey Jr. is now a Hollywood household name. He could not have accomplished so much without the help of his wife, who saved him from his "demons." Here's everything we know about Robert Downey Jr.'s wife, Susan Downey.
Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr. has won many admirers with his fantastic flicks. What made the "Iron Man" actor even more impressive was how he redeemed his reputation after dealing with addiction for much of his life.
Robert has been honest about his dark past, but he has also been open about how his wife, Susan Downey, saved him by presenting him with a tough deal that would have significantly impacted their marriage.
Susan Downey attends the 4th annual Wishing Well winter gala at Hollywood Palladium on December 7, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
WHO IS SUSAN DOWNEY?
Susan Downey is a well-known film producer born November 6, 1973, in Schaumburg, Illinois. She seems to be an intelligent woman, having graduated with flying colors.
She graduated from Schaumburg High School as class valedictorian. She then graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.
Susan changed her life and relocated from Illinois to California, where she now resides permanently. She made a reputation in film production as a hardworking and driven woman.
Susan was genuinely exceptional in her chosen career. She has successfully produced "RocknRolla" (2008), "Sherlock Holmes" (2009), and "The Book of Eli" (2010). (2010). She could finally move up the corporate ladder after years of hard labor.
She worked as Executive Vice President of Production at Silver Pictures and as the company's director of development for Dark Castle Entertainment, the horror film division.
Susan Downey attends The Children Mending Hearts 4th Annual Spring Benefit on April 22, 2012, in Pacific Palisades, California. | Source: Getty Images
HOW DID ROBERT DOWNEY JR. AND SUSAN DOWNEY BECAME ONE OF HOLLYWOOD'S POWER COUPLES?
Susan and Robert first crossed paths in 2003 while working on the set of "Gothika," a film starring Halle Berry. The movie mentioned was Robert's first major acting endeavor following his incarceration, while it was Susan's big project as a producer.
When she met Robert, Susan found an interesting person. She recalled having lunch with him, along with Berry and the film director, during which Robert ate oatmeal packets while the others ate Japanese food. She added:
"And he had this box of various herbs and stuff. And then he started doing these yoga moves. I mean, he was interesting but weird."
As far as similarities go, Susan and Robert have little in common. She was brought up with academics as a high priority and never had any vices; he, on the other hand, was a high school drop-out with a history of drug addiction.
Robert, who was born on April 4, 1965, in Manhattan, New York, was the son of a well-known Hollywood couple, acclaimed filmmaker and writer Robert Downy Sr. and actress Elsie Downey. His parents divorced in 1982 after 20 years of marriage.
Susan Downey and Robert Downey Jr. attend The 24th Annual Watermill Center Summer Benefit & Auction at The Watermill Center on July 29, 2017, in Water Mill, New York. | Source: Getty Images
The drug addiction of the acclaimed filmmaker had influenced Robert to do the same, which he continued to do in most of his adult life, ultimately damaging his career.
Robert once said he defers to his wife when it comes to parenting because he wasn't brought up correctly and hence lacks the skills to do an excellent job as a parent.
Despite their very different backgrounds, they have been attracted to one another, but it took time for their romance to bloom. Susan was 30, and Robert was 38. Susan had been focused on her profession when she met him.
Susan also did not take offense to Robert's relationships since marriage and falling in love were not her primary aspirations at the time. Robert was formerly married to model and actress Deborah Falconer.
Susan was aware of Robert's past addiction and agreed to go out with him after he asked her out three times. Susan said that she went with her gut instinct and trusted her decision.
She also realized that the "Ally McBeal" star was already a long cry from the guy he used to be. She described the actor as clean, sober, and professional at work. Susan noted that he was a funny guy.
Robert proposed to Susan within three months of dating, and they were engaged for two years. Susan clarified that he had to stop doing drugs if he wanted to spend his life with her.
Susan was unfamiliar with addiction, and if Robert lapsed on his sobriety, she said she would leave him. Robert took Susan's word seriously. Susan's rule for him proved successful as he later said:
"Thank God for that. If she knew the depths of my depravity, we would not be sitting here."
In August 2005, the two were married in a Jewish ceremony in the Hamptons, Robert's favorite spot. The couple's professional and personal lives have been perfectly aligned since tying the knot.
Susan resumed her producing career, while Robert rebuilt himself in the industry with successful films. He is well-known for his roles in films such as "The Avengers" and "Sherlock Holmes."
The couple founded their production firm, Team Downey. Susan heads the film production while her husband is one of its main talents. They've created some great films in recent years.
Robert and Susan founded their production company because they were spending too much time apart, and the more time they spent away, the more likely it was that tragedy or heartache would occur.
The couple has been very hands-on with their company. Susan added that having their firm encourages them to discover what they are interested in and be a part of each other's creative process.
Meanwhile, Robert noted that the company enables its employees to use Team Downey as their launching pad as they continue to seek higher pursuits in their careers. Their workers may likewise remain for as long as they desire.
With their packed schedules, the quirky couple has established a two-week rule to keep them from abandoning one another. Susan explained that they should never be away for more than two weeks.
Being with Susan has been fulfilling for Robert. He credited his wife for saving his life. If not for her, he would not have reached where he is now. The 57-year-old actor said he's becoming like Susan. Robert added:
" I'm still trying to figure out what happened. Whatever I was hungry for when I met Susan, I couldn't have known how much more satisfying what I got would be."
SUSAN AND ROBERT HAVE TWO CHILDREN TOGETHER: GET TO KNOW EXTON DELIAS AND AVRI ROEL DOWNEY
Susan and Robert's union has blessed them with two lovely children, who have added joy to their life as a couple. They welcomed their first child, a son named Exton Elias, in February 2012.
The actor once explained that his son's name was inspired by his wife's "eccentric" great uncle, who changed his name to J. Exton in fourth grade after discovering he didn't have a middle name.
In November 2014, Susan and Robert welcomed their second child, a daughter named Avri Roel. The "Iron Man" actor previously made a hilarious Facebook post announcing his daughter's birth as if it were a movie, referring to her as their "2014 fall/winter project."
Susan and Robert honored their parents through their daughter's name. As a tribute to her grandparents, Avri's middle name includes the first two letters of each of their names.
While he honors his parents through his daughter's name, Robert is not thrilled with his upbringing. Robert once said he defers to his wife when it comes to parenting because he wasn't brought up correctly and hence lacks the skills to do an excellent job as a parent.
Still, the "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" actor helps Susan with raising their children. After a long day at work, he and Susan would go on walks, see live theater, and spend time with their home-schooled children.
The family also enjoys spending time with the animals they live with at their Malibu home. Over the last ten years, the family has taken in dozens of animals, which has made their time together more fun.
ncG1vNJzZmimlazAb63MqKSapZFjsLC5jmtwbGhpbXqzu8Geqa1llKTEr7HYZqGrq12stqexjJqjpWWjqsCiuoydprCmla57qcDMpQ%3D%3D