Robert Downey Sr, a renowned American filmmaker and father of Marvel’s long-engaged actor Robert Downey Jr, died at the age of 85 at his residence in New York City.
Downey Sr. passed away in his sleep according to his wife, The Sun reported on Wednesday. Downey Jr, later confirmed his father’s demise on an Instagram post and said that he “died peacefully” in his sleep and informed about his struggle with Parkinson’s disease for five prolonged years.
In his Instagram post, Downey Jr. sent his “thoughts and prayers” towards Rosemary-Rogers Downey ,the wife of Downey Sr and step mother of Downey Jr. He also jokingly wrote, “According to our stepmom’s calculations, they were happily married for just over 2000 years”.
Born in 1936, in New York City, Downey Sr has not always been a part of the American entertainment industry. Before launching himself into the field, Downey Sr was a part of the United States armed forces.
Downey Sr. married a total of three times throughout his lifetime and was wed to writer and producer Rosemary Rogers for over two decades, according to reports from The Sun. Robert Downey Jr and actress Allyson Downey were the only two children of Downey Sr, who were born to his first wife Elsie Ann Downey.
He is known for his work in projects which were mostly considered “underground art” and did not require a significant budget to produce and deliver to the audience, according to reports from the Hollywood Reporter.
In his Instagram post, Marvel’s Avengers fame Robert Downey Jr. called his deceased father a “true maverick film maker” and remembered him being remarkable and optimistic person throughout his struggle with Parkinson’s disease, which reportedly lasted for half a decade.
He wrote, “Last night, dad passed peacefully in his sleep after years of enduring the ravages of Parkinson’s ..he was a true maverick filmmaker, and remained remarkably optimistic throughout. According to my stepmom’s calculations, they were happily married for just over 2000 years. Rosemary Rogers-Downey, you are a saint, and our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
