Robert Downey Jr. Comes Clean About His Addictions | Letterman

Robert's just happy he's not in Dave's monologue anymore.
(From "Late Show," air date: 11/21/03)
#robertdowneyjr #addiction #letterman
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[@kaspinet]

Downey handled himself very well considering the awkward situation.

[@christopherramon-reid2000]

I wish he didn’t have to go through this questioning. I’m glad he’s past it.

[@Aegon1stOfHisName]

@@christopherramon-reid2000why not? People who may struggle with substance abuse may look at rdj and see that it’s possible to overcome it aswell as showing that not everyone is perfect

[@thall8095]

He respects Letterman a lot and vice versa. This was helpful to others and probably him.

[@KClouisville]

@@thall8095 I also think Dave had been sober at this point for over 20 years (he's an alcoholic), so it might make you more comfortable speaking to someone who's had their own issues.

[@Repomidnight]

Dave “So did you ever think about ending it?”- so sensitive with his questioning.

[@Shredzy715]

Are you okay?

[@AminoKRN]

top notch considerate questions... just the best

[@DaHatBat]

The way he said it was so chilling. I almost couldn't belive he said that

[@teflonpipe7477]

You can see why RDJ won’t talk about his addiction history in interviews anymore.

[@A.French]

I mean, he probably said to himself , I talked about it enough, now I'm done

[@mildred714]

@@A.FrenchWasn’t our business to begin with. He did his part more than enough.

[@bigmike11559]

@@A.French Exactly that. He's never been shy to talk about it. It was just beaten to death. This isn't the only interview he did at that time. He was vulnerable and endured as much prodding from the public as a human can take. What is the point of dragging it into every interview just so the interviewer can get a few more views?

[@Boykot1]

Where do we see that?

[@bigmike11559]

@@Boykot1 just Google it. After he got out of prison and before he did tropic thunder and iron Man, he did a bunch of interviews. He even went on Letterman and let him Make every joke he can.

[@AzaJabar]

I love this man and he is graceful about what he did, I hope he gets his Oscar this year.

[@irritated_bystander]

He did🎉

[@DarkSkies72]

He did.

[@elenadowneyjr]

And he got !!!! ❤❤

[@AliciaStalter]

I've struggled with my addiction my whole life, I'm clean now and will never go back to that lifestyle. It takes a strong individual to just completely walk away. I respect that about him. He is a very strong man!!

[@HeatherSmith-ii7mi]

Proud of you girl! I've been struggling with opiates for 8 years now. Addiction is pure evil. Congratulations to you

[@trourke4475]

Good for you. You worked hard and came out the other side a strong person!

[@ProphetOfDoubt]

It’s times like these where just being another statistic doesn’t seem so inevitable. Thank you Robert

[@MYNAMEISGARY]

Been a wild ride to see how far he's come from his early days, into these days, then helping launch the Marvel universe and becoming somewhat of an elderstatemen along the way.

[@chasehedges6775]

💯

[@chasehedges6775]

He’s a legend

[@matnels277]

Legend

[@RobertParks-h7r]

Loved him since SNL,high as a kite,Weird Science,Tuff TUrf,Etc.

[@nedwart]

RDJ was a great sport here. He's come a long, long way.

[@bmla88]

I kinda feel bad for RDJ in this interview but he handled it well

[@susanwhite7474]

Letterman always was prone to being rude

[@kfr5018]

You’d think he knew these questions were coming ahead of time?

[@kfr5018]

@@ZoeChan-s4jmore a statement inviting others to confirm. I’d imagine he knew what he was getting into

[@robertodibaggio8181]

" Dave..funny you should ask.. this is not panning out for me." you gotta joke about even darkest things, then you own them.

[@dasupertramp5855]

Letterman, Leno, Stewart and Colbert, the Simpsons, and the list goes on.....made jokes about Downey's suffering, just to get laughs. Downey has a very strong spirit, to have survived not just the addiction but also the constant public humiliation. Respect 🙏

[@rickricky6421]

Yeah when he said, “I’m just thankful I wasn’t part of the monologue today” he was throwing shade at Dave, which was justified. It’s messed up to mock someone suffering and then capitalize by having them as a guest.

[@valkillmer1322]

Era uma época onde você era humilhado em público si fizesse alguma merda e não o contrário Bons tempos 👍

[@lonewolf1053]

Always been a likeable chap and an outstanding actor...glad for him that he's been sober for years...

[@1fattyfatman]

That marriage almost 20 years strong and we all know he got it together and delivered on his talent for many years. Inspirational

[@sophfores430]

Yay to Robert’s recovery and life

[@davidfuentes1069]

Letterman was a real ass here. Bob handled it really well.

[@brianshields7485]

He's known for being a real ass

[@brianshields7485]

He's known for being an ass

[@NoU-pf8fc]

That's what I love about him lmao

[@brianshields7485]

@@NoU-pf8fc 😂

[@locophoto6881]

@@NoU-pf8fc Then you must be an ass as well. Being a toxic and callous antagonizer is a great way to get a laugh and a lonely life.

[@wandaruiz9814]

I love him showing everyone he is not done by a million years. Super gifted and beyond talented. Funny😊

[@Category5]

The ultimate depiction of recognizing your demons and turning that into fuel for success. RDJ is legendary and his achievements fortunately eclipse the wrong turns he took in his youth. It's hard to imagine being successful like that when you are young, in the prime of the glamorous drug scene, and not succumbing to temptation. I hate that people still ask him about those days even today, but his experience is proof that you can come back from such dark depths. RDJ is a class act and a legendary actor.

[@SeahawksBamBamKam]

Agree 100% Young, Rich, Famous, and this stuff was readily available to him at the height of the drug scene, some do it regularly to help their performance and it does give them that little something to their performance they would not have otherwise got, like Matthew Perry, its super easy to mixed up into stand at first they think they can control it and they do until it turns into a full blown addiction and their trapped.

[@MikePattoblet]

I wish I had 15% of the charm that this man has, incredible.

[@marleneg7794]

This is so honest. Beautiful he allowed this line of questioning.

[@RataStuey]

He’s such a brilliant beautiful human. He’s saved lives through his example

[@StevenSmith-br5tb]

RDJ rocks! Such an inspiration. From rock bottom to the top of his profession! Amazing dude!

[@rangers11ization]

Hope he wins the academy award.He was great in oppenheimer

[@maralynfarber2068]

I think he will win. He was great in that movie!

[@KatieCampbell-jd9nd]

He did!

[@rangers11ization]

@@KatieCampbell-jd9nd 👍

[@simoneaustin8076]

he did☺️

[@DSmith-e5e]

Love how authentic he is

[@john9524]

We all fall, but we all don't feel the need to keep kicking someone when their down. He's human he learned from his mistakes and he's better now.

[@chi-bro]

the grace is unfathomable.

[@sheboyganshovel5920]

I just got a rush, watching him answer Dave's question about steering his son away from these same challenges, saying he doubted he'd made the drug scene look glamorous to his son. I have to imagine that son is pretty proud of him today.

[@avikbanerjee4414]

Conquering his inner demon to conquering the hearts of billions and becoming a role model for young generation, that's RDJ for you

[@liamalam]

Robert Downey's real life achievements are just as fascinating as his super hit characters in movies. I remember back in the 90s tv shows and tabloids were full of his struggles almost on a daily basis. He is a prime example of how to go all the way down to hell and fight your way back up all the way to the top. What an amazing life story! Really Hope he wins the Oscar for Oppenheimer, that will be the icing on the cake.

[@Analoguebubblebath89]

I got 2 years clean in April

[@lonewolf982000]

Congratulations! One day at a time.

[@carstereobandits]

Hell yeah

[@design1of470]

that's awesome

[@Analoguebubblebath89]

Cheers guys

[@listeningviayoutube7229]

Great for you & yours.

[@afterpodcast]

And now he just won an Oscar! It goes to show that: There is life after addiction! And it can be amazing!!!

[@freelikeyve]

Hearing him talk about Woody and knowing he just thanked him during his SAG AFTRA speech this year is gold.

[@jrpipik]

This was before Letterman said much about his own struggles with addiction. I'm surprised he took so many shots at him in his monologues.

[@RisenSlash]

Could've been projection

[@matthewadams8294]

Yes, and tough love. It’s not a one way thing. Some addicts need pity others need a slap in the mouth ect. In this case love and some shame seemed to have done the trick

[@yojimboeastwood5602]

Agreed. Admire him greatly. We do have a choice the helplessness only comes after we choose to consume. I’m powerless at that point as well

[@heatherbesocial]

Robert always says that Susan saved his life and she absolutely did.

[@3Cs1D]

Within the first three minutes he already turned the question around and gave lil something back. You love to see it haha

[@B4B544]

This guys dad handed him a joint to smoke at the age of nine and rased him in the film industry. A life of getting into trouble with the law and publicly lectured for decades is pretty unfair yet inevitable.

[@athletes6724]

*At age of 6.

[@ilovebrandnewcarpets]

The realness of this interview is rare. Letterman really picking at the scab, and RDJ answers it heads on.

[@johns7530]

I always loved Dave and watched him for many, many years, but he was close to awful here.

[@cnath3466]

A very interesting interview! Thanks Dave. Congratulations to Robert Downey Jr. for taking the decision to defeat his addictions, and to stay clean. It is a great personal achievement and will inspire others. 👏👏

[@The_McD]

RD always handles interviews well.

[@joshnizzle]

Little did we know the great man he’d become

[@jl2937]

He was always a good man tho

[@MalinForsman]

I love this interview with Robert! This is sooooo funny, cool, intelligent and lovely! A true survivor!

[@redreverb]

DAVIDS QUESTIONS BRO 💀💀

[@MoonStarzez]

NAH FR 😭🙏

[@MicheleHuffman-d8c]

I'm sure Robert Downey Jr. had a good idea of what talking about his addictions was going to be like. I am so happy for him, especially now that he has a son. He has always been a great actor. His life must have been hell. I am proud of him.

[@INFJ2]

I've had a crush on him since I have been a teenager. I love seeing him succeed. He made it!!!! His talent is so unique and special. I love you RDJr !!

[@Marksman_12]

It is great Robert is safe now. Many lost their lives to addiction and you can almost see that in his eyes that he could envision himself in the position of say someone like Kurt Cobain or Heath Ledger. By the way, I guess, at Golden Globes or Oscars 2008, he looked scared because he saw that what happened to Health could've happened to him. Again, great that he is doing good now.

[@mariiuy]

Love him! Also something about him in this interview reminds me of Kieran Culkin. Both such amazing talents!

[@sinclairjg]

22 years ago! He looks so healthy these days!

[@Clintsessentials]

Agree.

[@brianshields7485]

Yeah he looks great fit happy and healthy and he's come a long long way from where he was that's takes a lot of work it shows he's certainly living proof no matter how bad life can get you can always turn it around he's a shining example of that

[@marvidor]

The fact Iron Man 3 wasn't the 'Demon in a bottle' storyline still baffles me. They hired the perfect actor..!

[@dasupertramp5855]

Downey wanted to. Producers said no, it wouldn't be safe for him to go to that place so soon into his own recovery (his wife was one of the producers).

[@devilmandiavolo2876]

@@dasupertramp5855you think that that was the reason and Disney didn’t want some boring cookie cutter comedy fest huh

[@snoopy4749]

@@devilmandiavolo2876pipe down schnoor

[@lawlietriver8869]

His situation is fascinating. I kicked the habbit 5 years ago, so I can have a reasonably good understanding of that part. But to have all that media attention at the same time, that has to make it a whole other ball game. Empathy is in large part taken from bits and pieces of ones own life, so that a person can reach understanding to what another person is going through. Nothing in my life even resembles having people like Letterman make fun of me, all the magazines, papers and papparazzi.. It is so alien to me, and that is very fascinating. Really cool that he prevailed in the end. One of the few celebs I am sincerely happy for.

[@christopherramon-reid2000]

Well said 👍

[@RataStuey]

I love how Robert Downey Jr handles this

[@davidmatthews1710]

He truly is iron man…..💪💪

[@CoolPandaTheMovieNerd]

Pretty unusual, because typically Dave Letterman only has guests that are currently super high on his show.

[@lukeluke7082]

Imagine a substance that makes you feel amazing, better than how it feels to be sobor. A lot more people would be addicts if they tried a substance like that it’s just most people don’t even try it to start with. So hard to kick it if you do happen to try it

[@callumcc8897]

Man that was a great comment which i appreciate catching early! Robert is a mysterious human being which I am fascinated about. Ever since Less Than Zero and Weird Science, I knew he was special!

[@ChrisS-nj3ye]

Yeah so true. The trick is just not to try it.

[@Bonn1770]

Dave was not a gentle host, but that's what made him great.

[@jackharlow8325]

the art of being a talk show host needs to be talked about

[@S1L3NTG4M3R]

"I am IronMan!"

[@jimmycarpenter6612]

I like how he does say you kinda have to take responsibility for what you put in your mouth with your hands. Too many act as if it's a "disease" when in reality it's a personal choice.

[@cassandragray1747]

it is a disease. all you have to do is a quick google search on the effects of addiction on the brain. very simple.

[@dasupertramp5855]

It's a disease. Overcoming it requires a person to make a choice. Finding love and feeling like there's a reason to live makes a difference.

[@jimmycarpenter6612]

@dasupertramp5855 That's not a disease. Believe me, someone with a real disease wishes all it took was a personal choice. You can't just say, "You know what, I don't think I'm gonna have cancer any longer." With a real disease, there is no choice.

[@creative45630]

Outdated and uninformed view tbh Jimmy. Read ‘In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts’

[@dannywoods17]

As an actor, it must be interesting to see videos of yourself like this pop up, decades after the fact when you only thought it would ever be watched that one time and not re-released on the internet in 2024.

[@zackwhite639]

I've got over 2 years clean after 2 heart surgeries and aneurysms..one day at a time 🙏🙏🙏✌️♥️💪💪

[@jayshomer4191]

Dave was ruthless on some occasions but that’s what made some of his interviews legendary!

[@johngalvin3124]

He's a self serving arsehole

[@timmyp6297]

Both still in full throttle 20 years later.

[@RataStuey]

Bob is a class act

[@kevinshelley2803]

American audiences are weird. There's a serious mature conversation underway and they're laughing at everything said. Crazy.

[@gump5ter01]

this interview was better than the entire movie gothika,

[@fernandomurillo9272]

Robert you have come a long way I have been a fan since back in the day. I know you get a lot of compliments and bad stuff. I’m not one to judge and say anything but sure glad for the entertainment in your movie my family loves all your movies. May God take care of you and yours. 👍up to you

[@sjg5994]

Dave Letterman FANTASTIC interviewer. I had a gentle crush on RDJr.😊

[@dwilliams02]

Seeing him gracefully handle a pretty questionable joke from Kimmel last night is probably what got this recommended to me.

[@TheRealestBubby]

I was 2 days old when this aired.

[@jaydenkylemusic]

people perceive these questions as disrespectful but you have to understand. this guy came back from the gutter, unscathed. He wants us to focus on the movie, but his life is way more interesting

[@quewinoconnor10]

Letterman should've tried to understand addiction before this interview. Hes not trying to be rude but he is ignorant to the fact that addiction is a disease that kills most and ruins families. How do we as a human race still not know the true causes and the damage it does. I am an addict and I have seen what it's done to me but also my loved ones who eventually leave because it must be so difficult seeing someone you love helpless, hopeless, dying. Its something we need to have more understanding about. Its embarrassing to be an addict as "normal" people look down on addicts. Theres no debate, 80% of people change towards people struggling with addiction and all it does is send someone further into a hole and makes them feel like they dont deserve a happy and healthy life. It really is the scariest thing. I think its worse than cancer as it sticks around for years and the person you knew is gone. Eyes have no soul and no color in the face. The devil takes over the body and the person is no longer there. It's not easy and people who constantly fight it and never give up are the strongest and most courage people on this earth because you fighting an enemy you cant see and who knows everything about you. It's a fight you shouldn't win on paper but love and support and God helps people find the strength. The look on the eyes of my mother when I became clean is something I'll never forget. Like she had her son back after years of being kidnapped and not knowing if I'll die or not. It kills the family and friends as well as the user. So Dave was out of line but it's the world we're in and we need to prioritize addiction as it's only going to get worse with the world we live in today. An addict is someone's child that made bad decisions and is being punished by living hell on earth. Nobody deserves to live life like that. I hope this is seen by people who understand and I pray for all that are suffering and the light is found in your life. I know how dark, cold and lonely it is.

[@oracleproductions5486]

I really REALLY hate Letterman’s questions and insensitivity… disgusting….😢

[@SeahawksBamBamKam]

Jailhouse Bob has such a cool personality

[@frankcross6958]

very big on dave to apologize to him and offer such positive words of encouragement!

[@lpickman8514]

Jailhouse Bob...😂

[@ScottyColoradoKid]

Mel Gibson was 100% responsible for his recovery, both personally and his career....he totally saved him.....

[@squamish4244]

This was when RJD was supposedly a washed-up, has-been, punchline of an actor. Surely the greatest second act in Hollywood in living memory.

[@Chinaski1]

Probably the first and last time a show host could have asked him those sensitive questions

[@Bringos76]

His greatest movie is still Weird Science.

[@Josh1billion]

2:12 I thought RDJ was making a jab at Letterman's own scandal here but this interview was years before that came public. Very possibly during the midst of the scandal though, especially with Letterman's reaction.

[@josephnguyen500]

Love this guy, I think he’s really kool😎

[@cormorant_on_arock7934]

He's literally one of the coolest dudes of all time

[@tonypaella]

I'm pretty sure RDJ knew those questions were coming and was ok with it. Those talkshows are pre planned. Not question for question necessarily, but the topics are agreed upon.

[@G-Mulaa]

Letterman asked some crazy questions

[@PavelMartinekpierre]

LOVELY!!

[@JosephScott-ct9sw]

Some years later Robert's son was convicted of felony cocaine possession, as a consequence was sent to rehab, and because he did that had the conviction wiped from his record. I suppose that's what happens to everyone convicted of felony cocaine possession.

[@johns7530]

I've always been a huge Letterman fan and watched him from the 80's onward, but man he does not come across well here. None of us are perfect, but this was pretty bad. RD handled it very well, a courageous individual with a ton of poise not to get super irritated when it would have been justified.

[@Andrew-Antioch-Kim]

Hopefully, more uploads of the "Barbara Gaines Show" during 2024!

[@VicariousAquarius]

Mel Gibson was instrumental in his success.

[@kurtrivero368]

No he wasn’t.

[@freelikeyve]

Hearing him talk about Susan 🥲🥹🥹🥹🥹

[@aaronheaton5903]

Coolest man ever !

[@mechwarrior13]

The way RDJ turned his life around is a way better story than the origin of Iron Man

[@IIxXxmattxXxII]

Iron man literally has an arc where he can’t overcome his addiction to drinking. RDJ is pretty much as close to iron man as it gets. Just instead of a crazy scientist inventor he’s an actor.

[@RataStuey]

He’d make an excellent Iron Man

[@lesponge88]

RDJ is a genious.

[@loudloveen]

This was never the kind of program where people would have deep conversations, so I think they should not have bothered. I love this actor, by the way.

[@GeorgeCilley]

Just learned that Robert Downey Jr. once broke Halle Berry's arm.

[@kstepko]

😮

[@debschaefer7820]

Yeah, it was an accident.

[@BennieBrunink]

1 Very .. Very Good Actor .. :)

[@AC3handle]

I get the feeling Robert REALLY does not want to talk about his addiction stuff, but does so because it's Dave. Both Dave as a person, and being on Dave's show. I remember when that one interviewer tried going this route with him, I think after Iron Man 2 or 3, and Robert was having NONE of it, and up and BAILED the interview.

[@UberNeuman]

We don't have to worry about Rush Limbaugh's addiction anymore. LOL.

[@TheMightyZim]

I wish the White House guests that dropped the Cocaine could say the same.

[@Three_Random_Words]

The greedy pharma family behind Oxicodone gets not credit?

[@matnels277]

The four best castings in mcu history RDJ as iron man, Patrick Stewart as Professor X, Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as well you know who, the best character ever. I wanna see a Clint Eastwood variant of old man logan.

[@Coco-zu9ob]

Funny Dave mentioned his son because RDJ's son is in his iwn battle with addiction right now. So sad.