The 12 Greatest Roles of Robert Downey Jr.

      Robert Downey Jr., who won an Oscar for his role in Oppenheimer, will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe next year as Doctor Doom, also known as Victor Von Doom.

      Here are twelve of Robert Downey Jr.'s best performances, including his most renowned role as Tony Stark in the Iron Man and Avengers franchises.

      **Back to School (1986)**

      Orion – Credit: C/O

      Robert Downey Jr. is the son of a cherished cult filmmaker (you can likely guess who), and the young Downey made appearances in a few of his father's films starting from an early age, beginning with 1970’s Pound when he was just five.

      As a young adult, he was on the path to establishing his career. He had a brief stint on Saturday Night Live starting in 1985 and also appeared that same year in Weird Science.

      He became linked with the group of young actors dubbed The Brat Pack, alongside stars such as Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall. One of his first significant roles was in the Rodney Dangerfield college comedy Back to School.

      Though he does not portray Dangerfield’s character's son (that role belongs to Keith Gordon), Downey plays Derek Lutz, the witty, partying best friend of Gordon's character.

      **Less Than Zero (1987)**

      20th Century Fox – Credit: C/O

      In stark contrast to the lighthearted comedy of Back to School, Less Than Zero, based on a Bret Easton Ellis novel, is dark and gritty. This film marked Downey's initial display of serious dramatic talent.

      He plays Julian, a privileged character who succumbs to addiction. During a 2024 career retrospective at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Downey remarked that the role served as a “Ghost of Christmas Future,” foreseeing his own struggles with addiction.

      He stars alongside Andrew McCarthy, who plays his best friend, Clay. Despite mixed reviews for the film, both actors deliver strong performances.

      **Chaplin (1992)**

      Tri-Star – Credit: C/O

      To establish his credibility as a serious dramatic actor, Robert Downey Jr. did something many had done before: he starred in a prestigious biopic.

      Charlie Chaplin, one of the greatest movie stars of his time, was portrayed by Downey, who depicted him from his youth to old age under the direction of Richard Attenborough, known for Gandhi.

      Although Chaplin did not perform well commercially, Downey received accolades for his work: an Oscar nomination for Best Actor and a BAFTA win in the same category.

      **Natural Born Killers (1994)**

      Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      Natural Born Killers, an Oliver Stone film inspired by a Quentin Tarantino story, is known for its outrageousness. Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis star as Mickey and Mallory Knox, a couple of mass murderers who also become media sensations.

      It’s a satirical take that Stone handles with little subtlety, resulting in a chaotic film; Tarantino has stated that the final product does not entirely reflect his original script.

      Nevertheless, Natural Born Killers was a hit and left a mark on culture. While Downey isn't one of the murderous couple, he shines as Wayne Gale, an Australian tabloid journalist who plays a key role in turning the Knoxes into controversial celebrities. He stands out as one of the film's highlights.

      Additionally, this is the second film featuring Rodney Dangerfield alongside Downey.

      **U.S. Marshals (1998)**

      Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      Following the success of The Fugitive, which earned Tommy Lee Jones an Oscar, a sequel titled U.S. Marshals was produced. This film brought back Jones as Sam Gerard, with most of his Fugitive team, along with new cast members including Wesley Snipes as the fugitive and Downey as DSS Special Agent John Royce, who joins Gerard's team with hidden motives.

      It's no surprise that Royce has secrets. After all, it's a sequel to The Fugitive, and the presumed perpetrator is usually innocent.

      U.S. Marshals is decent, though not as strong as The Fugitive. Still, it provided Downey with a noteworthy role at a time when his career was faltering. Thankfully, he would soon make a strong comeback.

      **Wonder Boys (2000)**

      Paramount – Credit: C/O

      Wonder Boys was Downey’s last significant film role before his resurgence. While not the lead, he made a notable contribution in a supporting capacity.

      Based on a Michael Chabon novel, the film stars Michael Douglas as a defeated college professor and novelist, while Tobey Maguire (before Spider-Man fame) plays a troubled but promising student.

      Downey portrays Douglas' editor, delivering a strong performance in a flashy but limited role. At this point, Hollywood had little to offer Downey, who was not yet considered a reliable lead