Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr.’s father and filmmaker, Robert Downey Sr. has passed away. He was 85. Releasing a public statement following the death of his father, he took to his Instagram and shared the news. He informed that his father died late Tuesday in his sleep at home in New York. He was battling Parkinson’s disease for more than five years.
Calling his dad, ‘a true independent- minded filmmaker,’ he wrote, “RIP Bob D. Sr. 1936-2021…Last night, dad passed peacefully in his sleep after years of enduring the ravages of Parkinson’s ..he was a true maverick filmmaker, and remained remarkably optimistic throughout..”
He added his step mother and his father were happily married for just over 2000 years. “
Downey Sr.’s filmmaking career started in the ’60s with his indie projects. He later worked on big-budget films like Greaser’s Palace (1972) and Up the Academy (1980). He also appeared in Boogie Nights (1997), Magnolia (1999) and Tower Heist (2011). He was also featured in the film ‘To Live and Die in L.A.’, played the role of a studio manager in ‘Boogie Nights.’
The duo also appeared in several films including 1988’s Johnny Be Good. Born in New York City in 1936 as Robert Elias Jr., he later changed his surname to Downey – his stepfather’s name.
