It’s Robert Downey Jr.‘s birthday! To mark the occasion, here are five of his non-Tony Stark performances. Check some of these out!
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Iron Man may have turned Downey Jr. into a star, but Kiss Kiss Bang Bang proved that he could still act. Shane Black directs this outstanding black comedy-crime film that has Downey Jr. in a role that is so far removed from Tony Stark. I haven’t seen this film in a few years, but there’s a reason this film is constantly brought up. Heck, everything Shane Black directs is an underrated gem. Oh, and if you liked Iron Man 3 you have Kiss Kiss to thank. The Black-Downey Jr. team was cemented with this film.
Tuff Turf (1985)
I would argue that the one-two punch of Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes in the late 2000s turned Downey Jr. into something of an unconventional sex symbol. Which I find fascinating solely due to him having been regulated to the weird best friend in most ’80s movies. Even weirder is that James Spader is technically viewed as the bad boy with a six-pack in this film. JAMES SPADER! So yeah, here’s another MCU connection in an older film.
Back to School (1986)
This should be considered a classic because of Rodney Dangerfield. The man was a comedic legend! Again, we have Downey Jr. in a supporting role as the best friend to Dangerfield’s kid. Downey Jr. isn’t given much to do here, but he’s clearly having fun. Side note: does anyone else think the makeup department put too much makeup around his eyes back in the eighties?
Weird Science (1985)
Finally we see Downey Jr. in a role that isn’t the eccentric best friend. Instead, he plays one of the pretentious cool kids who eventually ends up with a bra on his head waiting for another perfect woman to be created. It’s another small role, but one where we begin to see shades of Tony Stark come out.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Downey Jr. made a full career comeback in the late 2000s with Iron Man, Tropic Thunder, and Sherlock Holmes. Playing the titular character, Downey Jr. turns the usually asexual Holmes into one oozing with sex appeal. Director Guy Ritchie also helps differentiate the character from the later BBC television series through the use of slow motion to show Holmes’ inner thoughts as he plans his next move. Downey Jr. would later reprise the role in 2011 and hopefully within the next couple years for a third installment.
What are some of your favorite films to feature birthday boy Robert Downey Jr.? Can you name a film that doesn’t have Iron Man in it (even though that is the role he will be remembered for)?
