Anthony Michael Hall recently reflected on his friendship with Robert Downey Jr. Hall also shared about Downey Jr.’s early struggles and why he feels proud of his comeback.
Anthony Michael Hall reflects on Robert Downey Jr.’s early struggles and comeback
Robert Downey Jr. has had a long journey in Hollywood. Anthony Michael Hall has known Robert Downey Jr. for over 40 years. The actors first worked together during their younger Hollywood days. They later appeared together in Weird Science in 1985.
During a recent episode of Danielle Fishel’s Teen Beat podcast, Michael Hall discussed their friendship and described Downey as a good friend he has supported. He said, “I’ve been there for him. Years ago when he was in trouble with the law, I spent a little time in the clink — so to speak — I went to visit him. We just have a long history together.”
Hall also remembered helping Downey audition for Saturday Night Live. The two eventually worked together on Weird Science. He remains especially proud of Downey’s Hollywood comeback. “He’s always been a good friend, and I’m really proud of his success.”
He also praised Downey’s wife, Susan, and said she was instrumental in Downey’s comeback. In the late 1990s, Robert Downey Jr. faced addiction struggles and was arrested in 1996 on drug and weapon charges. He later served around 15 months in prison, has been sober since 2003, and was pardoned in 2015.
Since then, Downey has built an impressive career overcoming his struggles. Hall also described him, saying, “And he’s a great guy. Despite all the great success he’s had, he’s a very real, very down-to-earth guy.”
Hall reflected on his own sobriety, which began back in 1990. He said, “It’s a pressure cooker of a situation, to have success at a young age. Because it puts you in a hot seat… It was challenging to navigate all that but you got to keep it moving, you got to keep moving forward in life, you know? I pride myself on that sense of tenacity and discipline it takes just to keep going, you know, in industry, because there’s no guarantees.”