Actor Robert Downey Sr. Dead at Age 85

Actor Robert Downey Sr., the father of ‘Iron Man’ actor Robert Downey Jr., has now passed away at the age of 85.

As The New York Post reports:

Robert Downey Sr., the filmmaker and actor father of Robert Downey Jr., has died. He was 85.

Downey Sr. died in his sleep, his wife said, at his New York City home on Wednesday, according to The Sun. He celebrated his 85th birthday last month.

Best known for his acting appearances in movies “Boogie Nights,” “Magnolia” and “To Live and Die in LA,” Downey Sr. had been battling Parkinson’s disease for more than five years.

The father of stars Robert Downey Jr. and Allyson Downey, the director, writer and producer largely stayed away from press, mostly to protect his famous kids. But in 2001 when his Oscar-nominated son was facing cocaine charges, Downey Sr. spoke to The Post at length about the difficulties being in Hollywood.

Downey Sr. also had a long-term addiction to cocaine which, according to him, he wasn’t able to beat until the age of 81.