The monumental trajectory of Robert Downey Jr’s career has seen the actor take centre stage in many Hollywood blockbusters. However, it wasn’t until his recent work under the direction of Christopher Nolan in Oppenheimer that The Academy finally awarded him the industry’s highest honour, the Oscar.
Key Takeaways:
– Robert Downey Jr finally garners Academy recognition with an Oscar win for Oppenheimer.
– The A-lister attributes his 1993 Oscar loss for Chaplin to Al Pacino’s deserving win for Scent of a Woman.
– While Downey Jr is not bitter about his previous Oscar miss, his father, Robert Downey Sr, believed until his death that his son got robbed.
– Despite his indifference towards Oscar accolades, Robert Downey Sr would feel justice has finally been served with his son’s recent win, suggests Downey Jr.
Reminiscing the 1993 Oscar Miss
Back in 1993, Downey Jr missed out on an Oscar for his flawless portrayal of the titular character in Chaplin. The award, ironically, went to one of his favourite actors, Al Pacino. Despite this missed opportunity, Downey Jr holds no ill feelings towards Pacino’s win for his role in Scent of a Woman.
In a recent interview with People magazine, Downey Jr expressed that the loss felt unique considering Pacino presented the award for Best Picture to the cast of Oppenheimer, and he felt that Pacino’s win was deserved.
Robert Downey Jr’s Unique Perspective on Losing
Yet, despite the recognition Downey has received for his illustrious career, the Oscar loss in 1993 didn’t dampen his spirits or lead to resentment. Instead, it led to a silent acknowledgement of Pacino’s rightful win. Downey Jr stated, “It’s crazy that Al Pacino, one of my favourite human beings on earth, presented Best Picture. I think deservedly he won the first time I was nominated [in 1993 for Chaplin], for Scent of a Woman.”
Robert Downey Sr’s Stalwart Belief in His Son’s Talent
While Downey Jr was never bitter about his 1993 loss, his father, Robert Downey Sr, was a staunch believer that his son’s portrayal in Chaplin was Oscar-worthy. According to Downey Jr, his father believed until his last breath that his son was robbed of the Best Actor accolade.
His Remarkable Oscar Win for Oppenheimer
Fast forward to now, Downey Jr’s triumphant win for Oppenheimer has finally brought home an Oscar, which his father would feel levels the field. However, Downey Jr can’t confirm this sentiment with certainty, mentioning “he never cared about any of this anyway”. He added, “I think that he would feel that justice was done and that he can rest.’
Regardless of past controversies or the opinions of others, Robert Downey Jr’s undeniable talent has finally been recognised by The Academy. The Oscar-shaped gap in his career puzzle is now filled, and we look forward to the actor’s future strides in Hollywood.
