Oppenheimer Star Robert Downey Jr. Turned His Life Around When He Met His Second Wife
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If there’s one thing to know about Robert Downey Jr., it’s that he seemingly dives wholeheartedly into things. Whether it be his Oscar-nominated performance in Tropic Thunder, his production company Team Downey or his love life, Downey Jr. likes to jump in head first.
While Downey Jr. has had quite a turbulent time in Hollywood—and in his personal and love lives—he’s certainly found the person that he loves 3,000 in his wife Susan Downey.
The couple met on the set of Gothika (2003), in which Downey Jr. was starring and his now-wife Susan (then Susan Levin) was producing. Susan was apprehensive about dating the Oppenheimer actor, but things eventually worked out. The couple is just over a month away from celebrating their 18-year anniversary on Aug. 27.
So who is the woman that Downey Jr. changed his life and habits for? Here’s everything we know about Susan Downey.
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Who is Robert Downey Jr. married to?
Robert Downey Jr. married producer Susan (Levin) Downey on Aug. 27, 2005. Before meeting Downey Jr., Susan worked for Silver Pictures, where she produced films like Gothika, where she met Downey Jr., Orphan (2009), The Book of Eli (2010) and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005).
After getting into a relationship with Downey Jr., she began producing some of his biggest films—including Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Iron Man 2 (2010). In fact, Susan is the reason Downey Jr. was cast as the lead in Sherlock Holmes.
“If Susan hadn’t been in the room, Robert probably wouldn’t have become Sherlock Holmes. She facilitated it, definitely,” Sherlock Holmes director Guy Ritchie told The Hollywood Reporter.
Now, she works as a producer with Downey Jr. through their production company Team Downey, which they began in 2010. Together they’ve produced multiple shows and movies, including The Judge (2014), Dolittle (2020) and Perry Mason (2020-2023).
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How did Robert Downey Jr. meet his wife?
Robert Downey Jr. met his wife on the set of Gothika in 2003. He asked her out, but Susan wasn’t so sure about dating the troubled actor.
“We were up in Montreal prepping for Gothika, and we had lunch with the director and Halle Berry. Everybody else ordered Japanese, but Robert told us how oatmeal was the ‘superfood.’ He brought his own packets of oatmeal to have at lunch. And he had this box of various herbs and stuff. And then he started doing these yoga moves. I mean, he was interesting but weird,” she told The Hollywood Reporter.
She reluctantly agreed to go out with him—with some conditions. Downey Jr. had been battling drug addiction, which had landed him in jail and rehab a few times and was the downfall of his previous two relationships.
“She told me, 'I'm not doing that [drug] dance with you. I'm drawing a line in the sand here.' She was absolutely clear about it. That doesn't mean that other women, business associates, movie directors, insurance companies, judges, and law enforcement hadn't been clear about it too. It was that, before I met Mrs. Downey, I just didn't give a goddamn. What changed is that I cared,” he told Parade in 2008.
Downey Jr. cleaned up his act and has been sober since 2003.
Just like in his first marriage to Deborah Falconer, Downey Jr. moved fast with Susan. They were engaged six months after their first date and married Aug. 27, 2005. They started their production company Team Downey in 2010 and welcomed their two children in 2012 and 2014.
“Our feeling was, if we wanted to spend time together, have a life together, then we should just go ahead and make movies together,” Downey told The Hollywood Reporter.
What is Robert Downey Jr.’s wife’s age?
Susan Downey is 49, while Robert Downey Jr. is 58.
How long have Robert Downey Jr. and his wife been together?
Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey began dating in 2003 and tied the knot two years later in 2005. The couple is celebrating 18 years of marriage this year.
How many times has Robert Downey Jr. been married?
Robert Downey Jr. is in his second marriage. He was married to singer Deborah Falconer from 1992 to 2004. Downey Jr. and Falconer dated for just 42 days before getting married. They later welcomed a son in 1993.
During his first marriage, Downey Jr. was actively battling his drug addiction, was arrested multiple times and charged with drug possession, firearm possession and driving while under the influence. Falconer left Downey Jr. and took their son with her in 2001. They finalized their divorce in 2004—about a year after Downey Jr. met and proposed to Downey.
"Our marriage and having a child probably kept me from going off the rails completely, but it wasn't enough to right the ship," Downey Jr. told Parade of his marriage to Falconer.
Did Robert Downey Jr. date Sarah Jessica Parker?
Before ever tying the knot, Robert Downey Jr. famously had a rocky relationship with Sarah Jessica Parker. The pair met in 1984 when they were both 18 and dated for seven years. Parker eventually broke up with Downey Jr. in 1991—mainly because of his drug and alcohol abuse.
"I was so selfish. I liked to drink, and I had a drug problem, and that didn't jibe with Sarah Jessica because it is the furthest thing from what she is. She provided me a home and understanding. She tried to help me. She was so miffed when I didn't get my act together,” Downey Jr. told Parade.
Does Robert Downey Jr. have any children?
Robert Downey Jr. has three children—one with his first wife, Deborah Falconer, and two with his current wife, Susan Downey.
Who are Robert Downey Jr.'s children?
Indio Falconer Downey
Downey Jr. shares his oldest son, Indio Falconer Downey, with ex Deborah Falconer. Indio, who was born in 1993, is a musician who, like his father, has famously battled addiction.
“Congrats are in order for my firstborn, and I’m proud to oblige—Having braved the crucible of addiction (and pleased the court), his ongoing commitment to recovery continues to inspire and amaze,” Downey Jr. posted on Facebook in 2016.
Exton Elias Downey and Avri Roel Downey
After cleaning up his act, Downey Jr. welcomed two children with his second wife, Susan. His son, Exton Elias Downey was born Feb. 7, 2012. Daughter, Avri Roel Downey, joined the family Nov. 4, 2014.
Next, Robert Downey Jr. Shares Rare Footage of His Kids in Birthday Montage
