His death was announced by his son, Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Sr has passed away at the age of 85.
The actor and director, who had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease, passed away in his sleep yesterday.
His son, the actor Robert Downey Jr, announced the death of his father on Instagram.
He wrote: “RIP Bob D. Sr. 1936-2021.
“Last night dad passed away peacefully in his sleep after years of enduring the ravages of Parkinson’s..
“He was a true maverick filmmaker, and remained remarkably optimistic throughout.”
The actor added: “According to my stepmoms calculations, they were happily married for just over 2000 years. Rosemary Rogers-Downey, you are a saint, and our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
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Robert Downey Sr began his career in film in the ’60s. As a director, he was known for his films Putney Swope and Greaser’s Palace.
In the ’70s, he cast his five year-old son in his first role in the film Pound.
As an actor, Robert Downey Sr had film roles in To Live and Die in LA, Boogie Nights, Magnolia and Tower Heist. He also worked on TV and was featured in Matlock, The Twilight Zone and Tales of the City.
Mr Downey was married three times. In his first marriage to Elsie Ann Downey, he had two children, his son Robert and his daughter Allyson. The couple divorced in 1975. He married his second wife, Laura Ernst in 1991. Ms Ernst passed away from Lou Gherig’s disease in 1994.
He married his third wife Rosemary Rogers in 1998.
