Robert Downey Sr.

Robert Downey Sr., born Robert John Elias Jr. on June 24, 1936 in Manhattan, New York City, emerged as a pivotal figure of the American underground film movement. The son of Elizabeth “Betty” McLauchlen, a model and magazine editor, and Robert John Elias Sr., a motel and restaurant manager, Downey grew up in Rockville Centre, Long Island, before adopting the Downey surname from his stepfather to enlist in the U.S. Army while underage. His early military experience, which he later described as largely spent in the stockade, sparked a rebellious creativity that manifested in low‑budget 16 mm productions such as Ball’s Bluff (1961) and the cult classic Putney Swope (1969), a razor‑sharp satire of Madison Avenue advertising. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Downey’s work—characterized by absurdist humor, minimalist budgets, and a staunch anti‑establishment ethos—aligned with the broader countercultural surge, influencing a generation of independent filmmakers. Notable titles like Greaser’s Palace (1972) and Pound (1970) showcased his penchant for surreal narratives and often featured family members, including his first wife Elsie Ann Ford and his children Allyson and Robert Jr., who debuted on screen at ages seven and five respectively. Beyond directing, Dowley contributed as a screenwriter and actor, appearing in his own projects and occasional mainstream films such as Johnny Be Good and the Coen brothers' Hail Caesar. His personal life was marked by three marriages—Elsie Ann Ford (1962‑1975), Laura Ernst (1991‑1994), and Rosemary Rogers (1998‑present)—and a legacy carried forward by his son, Robert Downey Jr. Downey Sr. passed away on July 7, 2021 in Manhattan due to complications from Parkinson’s disease, leaving behind a catalog of five restored films in the Criterion Collection and a 2022 documentary “Sr.” that cemented his status as a cult cinema icon.