Robert Downey Sr. dies at 85: Filmmaker and father of Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr. passes away in his sleep after Parkinson’s Disease fight
Robert Downey Sr. died on Wednesday morning at the age of 85.
The iconic filmmaker, who is the father of Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr., passed away in his sleep at his home in New York City, according to his wife Rosemary Rogers.
Robert Downey Sr. battled Parkinson’s Disease for five years before his passing.
RIP: Robert Downey Sr. died on Wednesday morning at the age of 85. The iconic filmmaker, who is the father of Robert Downey Jr., passed away in his sleep at his home in New York City, according to his wife Rosemary Rogers; pictured with son Robert Downey Jr. on October 10, 2014
He was also an actor, writer and producer in addition to his filmmaking, with some of his best known acting appearances in Magnolia, Boogie Nights and To Live and Die in LA.
Robert Sr.’s last acting credit was in 2011 for the action-comedy Tower Heist; the film also starred Casey Affleck, Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy.
In 2015, he also had an uncredited appearance on Saturday Night Live as himself.
The father of two’s director credits include Putney Swope, Babo 73 and Balls Bluff.
Icon: Robert Downey Sr. battled Parkinson’s Disease for five years before his passing; seen May 20, 2016 in New York City
Robert Sr. was married three times; his first wife was actress Elsie Anne Downey; Robert Sr. and Elsie welcomed two children: Allyson Downey and Robert Downey Jr.
They divorced in 1975 and he went on to marry actress Laura Ernst, whom he was married to until her death in 1994 due to Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
He married his third wife Rosemary Rogers, the author of bestseller Saints Preserve Us! and more in 1998.
Father and son: Robert Sr. was married three times; his first wife was actress Elsie Anne Downey; Robert Sr. and Elsie welcomed two children: Allyson Downey and Robert Downey Jr; Robert Sr. and Robert Jr. pictured heading to The Avengers film premiere on April 28, 2012