The Oscar-winning performance that Robert Downey Jr. gave in Oppenheimer was spectacular, but he is eager to show fans what he has in store for them in the future.
The actor, who will be starring in the forthcoming HBO series The Sympathizer, which is based on the best-selling book written by Viet Thanh Nguyen in 2015, teases audiences by saying, “I have a couple of other tricks up my sleeve.” On April 14, the miniseries will make its debut.
In order to represent Oppenheimer’s cunning Lewis Strauss in the epic drama about the so-called father of the atomic bomb, Downey went through the process of losing weight, shaving his head, and changing the way he moved. In The Sympathizer, Downey goes even farther into disguise.
“It wasn’t particularly subtle, and it wasn’t meant to be, but I’m already proud of what I’ve seen,” says Downey, who plays four separate roles. Downey is 58 years old.
After the actor climbed the stage at Hollywood’s Dolby Theater to claim the trophy for Best Supporting Actor for his work in the Christopher Nolan film, which took home seven awards, including Best Picture, Downey and his wife and producing partner, Susan, spoke with PEOPLE at the post-show Governor’s Ball. The conversation took place shortly after the actor climbed the stage.
Susan, who is fifty years old, continues by saying, “We’re just getting started,” referring to her intentions with Downey, which will begin with The Sympathizer, film that Team Downey produced. This year will see the premiere of the third and final season of the Emmy-winning fantasy series Sweet Tooth, which is now streaming on Netflix.
The phrase “we talk about it all the time” is what she says. “There are a great many more things that we want to do together, accomplish together, and play together, as well as create from the ground up.”
Despite the fact that Downey makes light of the fact that their partnership is a “inside job,” he continues by saying, “I believe that in our own way we have mountains yet to climb.”
It is abundantly evident that the actor takes pleasure in his relationship with his wife, with whom he has a 9-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son named Exton.
In the speech that he gave after winning the Academy Award, which was sweet, salty, and full of heart, much like Downey himself, he toasted his family, which included his three children (Downey is also a father to Indio, 30, from a previous marriage) and his “veterinarian, I mean wife,” Susan.
She brought me back to life by rescuing a growling animal and loving me back to life. “That is the reason I am here,” he went on to say.
Downey credits her with his second act, which includes playing main parts in two enormous franchises: Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the title detective in the Sherlock Holmes series. The two met on the film Gothika in 2003, which was released after Downey had been through a difficult period in his life.
However, it was Oppenheimer who garnered the attention of the Academy for the third time (he had previously been nominated for Best Actor for his performance as Charlie Chaplin in the film Chaplin, which was released in 1992, and for Best Supporting Actor for his role as an eccentric method actor in Tropic Thunder, which was released in 2008).
During this awards season, which Downey dominated, friends like Jon Favreau, who directed Downey in Iron Man and Iron Man 2, are pleased to see the actor earn affection from the critics and fans alike.
According to Favreau, who is 57 years old, “It’s nice that the sun is shining on him because it takes turns doing so.” You get the distinct impression that he is putting things into perspective, and it seems that he is comprehending the significance of this moment.
Jeremy Renner, another actor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is in agreement. “He is succeeding in every way, guy. As the Avengers actor, who is 53 years old, puts it, “He’s got a lot of energy, and he’s got his beautiful wife around with him.” It seems like he is having a wonderful time. I couldn’t be more pleased with him.
Pick up the most recent edition of People magazine to learn more about Robert Downey Jr.
