Robert Downey Jr. speaks to PEOPLE about his 2024 Oscars triumph.Photo:A.M.P.A.S./Matt Sayles/courtesy of the Academy; Arturo Holmes/Getty
A.M.P.A.S./Matt Sayles/courtesy of the Academy; Arturo Holmes/Getty
Robert Downey Jr.’s Oscar-winning turn inOppenheimerwas impressive, but he’s excited to show fans what comes next.
“I got a couple other tricks up my sleeve,” teases the actor,who stars in HBO’s upcomingThe Sympathizer, based on the bestselling 2015 novel from Viet Thanh Nguyen. The miniseries premieres April 14.
Downey — who lost weight, shaved his head and changed the way he walked to portrayOppenheimer’s scheming Lewis Strauss in the epic drama about the so-called father of the atomic bomb — goes even deeper into disguise inThe Sympathizer.
“It wasn’t particularly subtle, it wasn’t meant to be, but I’m already proud of what I’ve seen,” says Downey, 58, who plays four different characters.
Robert Downey Jr. speaks to PEOPLE about his 2024 Oscars triumph.©A.M.P.A.S./Matt Sayles/courtesy of the Academy
©A.M.P.A.S./Matt Sayles/courtesy of the Academy
Susan Downey and Robert Downey Jr. at the 2024 Oscars on March 10.John Shearer/WireImage
John Shearer/WireImage
“We’re just getting started,” adds Susan, 50, of her plans with Downey, starting withThe Sympathizer, which Team Downey produced. A third and final season of their Emmy-winning Netflix fantasy seriesSweet Toothwill air later this year.
“We talk about it all the time," she says. “There’s so many more things we want to do together and achieve together and play together, create together.”
Hoa Xuande and Robert Downey Jr. in ‘The Sympathizer’.Courtesy of HBO
Courtesy of HBO
Downey jokes that their collaboration is an “inside job,” adding, “I believe that in our own way we have mountains yet to climb.”
The actor clearly enjoys his partnership with his wife, with whom he shares son Exton, 12, and daughter Avri, 9.
In his Oscars victory speech— which was sweet, salty and full of heart, much like Downey himself — he toasted his family, including his three kids (Downey is also a father to Indio, 30, from a previous marriage) and his “veterinarian, I mean wife,” Susan.
Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss in ‘Oppenheimer’.Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures
Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures
“She found me a snarling rescue pet and loved me back to life. That’s why I’m here,” he continued.
The pair met on the 2003 filmGothika, after Downey had gone through a rough patch, and he credits her with his second act, which included playing lead roles in two huge franchises: Iron Man in theMarvel Cinematic Universeand the titular sleuth in theSherlock Holmesfranchise.
But it wasOppenheimerthat attracted the Academy’s attention for the third time (he’d previously been nominated for Best Actor for playing Charlie Chaplin in the 1992 movieChaplin, and Best Supporting Actor for playing an eccentric method actor in 2008’sTropic Thunder.)
Friends likeJon Favreau, who directed Downey inIron ManandIron Man 2, are happy to see the actor receive love this awards season, which he swept.
“It’s nice that the sun is shining on him, because it takes turns,” says Favreau, 57. “You really get the sense that he’s putting things in perspective, and he seems to be understanding what this moment means.”
Fellow MCU starJeremy Renneragrees. “He’s doing so well, man. He’s got a ton of energy and he’s got his beautiful wife with him,” says theAvengersstar, 53. “He’s having a really great time. I’m so, so proud of him.”
For more on Robert Downey Jr., pick up the new issue of PEOPLE.
source: people.com
