From Iron Man to Iron Bars: Robert Downey Jr. Reflects on Dark Past
Robert Downey Jr. is a Hollywood heavyweight now, but his journey wasn’t always smooth. Back in the 90s, his struggles with addiction landed him in federal prison.
Many fans might not remember this period, considering Downey Jr.’s incredible turnaround. He’s become a box-office powerhouse with iconic roles in Sherlock Holmes, Iron Man, and The Avengers.
Unlike the charismatic hero he portrays, Downey Jr. admits his prison experience was bleak. In a recent interview, he described feeling a chilling atmosphere: “You could just feel the evil in the air.”
A DUI arrest in 1996 set things in motion. Police found drugs and a weapon in his car, leading to a string of legal troubles. He eventually received a three-year sentence for violating probation.
Downey Jr. shared some vivid details about his time incarcerated. He recalled a chaotic processing center where inmates of all security levels mingled, creating a tense environment.
He then described entering the prison itself as a surreal experience, feeling like he was on “a distant planet” with no escape.
Thankfully, Downey Jr. turned his life around. In 2016, he received a pardon from California’s governor, acknowledging his reformed behavior.
