Robert Downey Jr.: 9 Facts About Characters and Roles

1. #019

   Robert Downey Jr. is the first and, to date, only actor to win a Golden Globe for playing Sherlock Holmes.

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2. #020

   For his recent lead roles in Iron Man (2008) and its follow-up Sherlock Holmes (2009), Robert Downey Jr. wore lifts to increase his height at his directors' request.

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3. #035

   His good friends in the Marvel Cinematic Universe cast include Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen, Jeremy Renner, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Jon Favreau, Paul Bettany, Don Cheadle, Chadwick Boseman and Cobie Smulders.

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4. #036

   He nearly took the role of Duckie in Pretty in Pink (1986), in which Andie ends up with Duckie. According to Molly Ringwald, if Downey had won the role the ending might have been permanent, because he didn't give her the "brother vibe" that Jon Cryer did.

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5. #063

   He was offered the lead role in Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) but turned it down because he was not interested.

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6. #065

   He was initially set to star in Cowboys & Aliens (2011) but had to leave due to his commitment to Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011). The role went to Daniel Craig.

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7. #069

   He was approached for the role of Megamind in Megamind (2010) but declined the offer due to scheduling conflicts. The role then went to Will Ferrell.

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8. #074

   He was considered for the role of Billy "The Kid" Hicks in St. Elmo's Fire (1985), which went to Rob Lowe. Prophetically, the character has substance abuse problems.

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9. #079

   Kevin Feige had considered the late Julian McMahon for the role of Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four (2005) before he was cast. Downey would later play the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027).

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