Child Stars Who Defied The Odds

It might be hard to picture "Iron Man" star Robert Downey Jr. as a little boy, but at the age of five, he was already present on screen, appearing in his first movie: "Pound." It wasn't until his teens and twenties, however, that the actor would become recognizable, appearing in movies like "Tuff Turf," "Weird

It might be hard to picture "Iron Man" star Robert Downey Jr. as a little boy, but at the age of five, he was already present on screen, appearing in his first movie: "Pound." It wasn't until his teens and twenties, however, that the actor would become recognizable, appearing in movies like "Tuff Turf," "Weird Science," and "Less Than Zero." In 1992, Downey Jr. came into his own with his widely recognized portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in "Chaplin," garnering a Best Actor Oscar nomination.

It was around this time that his personal life took a nosedive. In 1996, the actor was stopped for speeding and then arrested on suspicion of drug possession as well as possessing a firearm, though it was unloaded, per the Los Angeles Times. Shortly after he was charged, he apparently got into the house of someone who lived nearby, and the occupants found him sleeping in a bed before police came to arrest him once again. A talent agent told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, "Two drug arrests in a row? Yes, this can seriously damage your future in this town."

Downey would eventually serve his time in jail in 1999 and then return to Hollywood, garnering roles in both movies and TV. In 2014, he spoke to Vanity Fair about his addiction, his time in prison, and at a treatment facility. "Job one is get out of that cave," he said. "A lot of people do get out but don't change."

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

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