BRAT PACK ALUMNI –
Mar. 14, 2026 – Robert Downey Jr. was born on April 4, 1965, in Manhattan, New York. He grew up in a household deeply connected to filmmaking. His father, Robert Downey Sr., was a writer and underground filmmaker, while his mother Elsie Downey was an actress. Because of this background, Downey was introduced to films and acting very early.
He made his screen debut as a child in the film Pound in 1970, which was directed by his father.
During his childhood, he also spent time studying performing arts, including training at the Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center in New York. After his parents divorced in 1978, he eventually moved to California with his father.
Downey later dropped out of Santa Monica High School in 1982 so he could pursue acting full time. By then he had already decided that acting would be…
