Robert Downey Jr. by 201570862

Primary Media

201570862 — 2023-10-16 10:21:19 UTC

How Downey himself helped create his star image, through his own movies, books, statements, etc

Secondary Media

201570862 — 2023-10-16 10:21:55 UTC

How the Media interpreted his image

Star image

201570862 — 2023-10-16 10:24:46 UTC

How the Primary and Secondary Media have come together and created the public star image of Downey Jr.

Early Career (1980's-1990's)

201570862 — 2023-10-16 10:28:19 UTC

Weird Science (1985)

201570862 — 2023-10-16 10:32:53 UTC

Downey Jr plays Ian, the school bully.

Tuff Turf (1985)

201570862 — 2023-10-16 10:40:39 UTC

Downey Jr plays Jimmy Parker, a rebellious drummer

The Pick-up Artist (1987)

201570862 — 2023-10-16 10:43:27 UTC

Downey Jr first leading role, he stars as Jack Jericho, a man who picks up women. Who one day falls for a woman called Randy Jensen.

Film Review: The Pick-up Artist (1987)

201570862 — 2023-10-16 11:02:32 UTC

CART, 1987. Film Reviews: The Pick-Up Artist. Variety (Archive: 1905-2000), 328(9), pp. 12.

Praises Downey Jr for his acting as this hip, cool man

Film Review: The Pick-up Artist (1987)

201570862 — 2023-10-16 13:03:57 UTC

BYRGE, D., 1987. 'The Pick-Up Artist'. The Hollywood Reporter (Archive: 1930-2015), 298(48), pp. 3-3, 16.

Praises Downey for his blending of "Rough edges with smooth charm" (Byrge, 1987, p.3), he's "convincing and appealing in a desperate sort of way" (Byrge (1987, p.3)

The Brat Pack's members

201570862 — 2023-10-16 13:10:18 UTC

Collective personalities of these actors gives any actor who joins them new or anchors certain connotations about them.

Those connotations being those surrounding the youth of the time. hip, edgy, cheeky, cool.

Birth of the media curated collective group known as the 'Brat Pack'

201570862 — 2023-10-16 13:16:27 UTC

Coming together of personality and group associations to create his star image

201570862 — 2023-10-16 13:22:08 UTC

Rising Star

201570862 — 2023-10-16 13:26:38 UTC

A hip, charming, funny, cool, edgy, rising star

Criminal Phase (Late 1990's- Early 2000's)

201570862 — 2023-10-16 13:35:05 UTC

Phases of the Star Image

201570862 — 2023-10-16 13:35:31 UTC

Less Than Zero (1987)

201570862 — 2023-10-16 13:37:24 UTC

Downey Jr plays Julian a university student who struggles with addiction.

Downey JR's interview with The Guardian reflecting on his Less than Zero character (2003)

201570862 — 2023-10-16 13:43:43 UTC

"The character was an exaggeration of myself. Then things changed and, in some ways, I became an exaggeration of the character. That lasted far longer than it needed to last."

Wilde, J. (2003) 'More Than Skin Deep', The Guardian, 8 Nov. (Available at:8 November 2023)

This was the start of Downey Jr struggle with addiction. Which lead to multiple arrests and the start of a new star image, a criminal image

201570862 — 2023-10-16 13:47:23 UTC

'Robert Downey Jr Arrested Again' Available at: https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/robert-downey-jr-is-shown-in-a-mugshot-profile- (Accessed 8 November 2023)

Entertainment Weekly: Robert Downey JR Arrested

201570862 — 2023-10-16 13:55:27 UTC

BBC News (2000): Robert Downey JR Arrested

201570862 — 2023-10-16 13:59:55 UTC

LA Times (1997) Actor Robert Downey Jr. Given 6-Month Jail Term (Accessed 8 November 2023)

201570862 — 2023-10-16 14:05:34 UTC

CNN (1999): Downey sentenced to prison for three years.

201570862 — 2023-10-16 14:08:36 UTC

CNN (1999) 'Downey sentenced to prison for three years'. 5 August. Available at: http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9908/05/downey.sentence/ (Accessed 8 November 2023)

LA Times (1996): A Troubled Actor's Rude Awakening (Accessed 8 November 2023)

201570862 — 2023-10-16 14:16:11 UTC

The Simpsons (1999) portray's Downey JR as an Unhinged, Criminal Movie Star

201570862 — 2023-10-16 14:36:26 UTC

Ricky Gervais introduces Downey JR as a criminal

201570862 — 2023-10-16 14:56:21 UTC

start at 2:03

Together, his primary and secondary media form a new star image

201570862 — 2023-10-16 15:21:29 UTC

Criminal Star

201570862 — 2023-10-16 15:22:21 UTC

A fallen, unhinged actor who is a criminal and takes no responsibility for his actions

Iron Man Phase (2008-2019)

201570862 — 2023-10-20 14:33:08 UTC

Iron Man (2008)

201570862 — 2023-10-20 14:34:37 UTC

Played Tony Stark AKA Iron Man. A sarcastic, quick witted, cool and easy attitude, genius, billionaire who manufactures weapons. He decides one day to leave the weapons manufacturing industry and become a hero called Iron Man.

Lifestyle of Tony Stark

201570862 — 2023-10-20 14:39:37 UTC

A man who struggled with addictions and who was known as a party man, goes through a traumatic event, an event which gives him a new perspective on life.

Lifestyle of Robert Downey JR.

201570862 — 2023-10-20 14:43:25 UTC

A man who struggled with addictions and who was known as a party man, goes through a traumatic event (Prison), an event which gives him a new perspective on life.

Tony Stark Wants a Cheeseburger

201570862 — 2023-10-20 14:53:29 UTC

When he brought back from Afghanistan, he requests a cheeseburger and a press conference. At the press conference he eats the cheese burger and decides to changes his ways and become a better person.

Robert Downey Jr wants a Cheeseburger

201570862 — 2023-10-20 15:01:30 UTC

"Upon this visit to Burger King, Downey had a moment of clarity that he needed to change his life around before it was too late. He then gathered all of his drugs and tossed them into the ocean...Downey went to rehab and has been sober since 2003". Hedash, K (2020) ' The Iron Man 1 Scene That Has A Hidden Robert Downey Jr. Meaning'. Screen Rant. Available at: https://screenrant.com/iron-man-1-movie-scene-robert-downey-jr-cheeseburger-meaning-explained/ (Accessed 8 November)

The Cheeseburger is a symbol of change for both Stark and Downey Jr. It represents an epiphany , a moment of realisation which marks the start of their new approach to life

201570862 — 2023-10-20 15:04:27 UTC

Embodiment

201570862 — 2023-10-21 11:56:45 UTC

The backstories and personalities of Robert Downey JR and Tony Stark are so similar they become intertwined with each other. Their Star Image is one, audiences can't tell where the personality of Downey JR ends and where Tony Stark begins

Video: RDJ being just like Tony Stark for 10 minutes

201570862 — 2023-10-21 11:59:16 UTC

On the public stage (interviews, public appearances etc), Downey JR has the same personality as Tony Stark.

Downey JR mirrors Tony Starks iconography for a non MCU interview

201570862 — 2023-10-21 12:03:43 UTC

201570862 — 2023-10-21 12:05:55 UTC

Gerbner's Cultivation Theory (1986): Gerbner, G., Gross, L., Morgan, M. and Signorelli, N. (1986) Living with Television: The Dynamics of the Cultivation Process, in J. Bryant and D. Zillman (eds) Perspectives on Media Effects . Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. G (Accessed: 2007)

201570862 — 2023-10-21 12:12:53 UTC

The idea that repeated exposure to the same ideology or iconography can affect an audiences perceptions.

The idea of Robert Downey Jr being like Tony Stark is repeated through his personality and movie appearances, led to audiences perceiving Downey Jr with the attitude of Stark

Appeared in nine MCU films

201570862 — 2023-10-23 10:25:26 UTC

For 10 years most of his films were related to his MCU character Tony Stark. This repetition of seeing Downey JR as Tony Stark in films or in advertising furthers his image of him being like Tony Stark

Video: robert downey jr acting like tony stark for one minute and forty nine seconds.

201570862 — 2023-10-23 10:51:44 UTC

Highlights how he is conveying his star image and how the audience is recognising the traits of Stark in Downey JR star image

Tony Starks Glasses

201570862 — 2023-10-23 10:54:12 UTC

Downey Jr wears glasses which are very much in the style of Tony Stark in his personal life

201570862 — 2023-10-23 11:01:41 UTC

In the films Tony Stark acts as a father figure for Peter Parker

201570862 — 2023-10-23 11:06:10 UTC

In real life Robert Downey Jr acts as a father figure for Tom Holland in the public sphere

201570862 — 2023-10-23 11:09:00 UTC

(Accessed 8 November)

Audiences now recognised this merger of persona's and recognise this new star image, a star image what reflects and embodies Tony Stark

201570862 — 2023-10-23 11:12:21 UTC

Fan compilations, a lot of clips refer to him being Iron Man

201570862 — 2023-10-23 11:24:13 UTC

Fan compilations: most of the "Best of" moments are MCU Iron Man related.

201570862 — 2023-10-23 11:28:01 UTC

Fans celebrate Downey JR birthday by calling him Iron Man

201570862 — 2023-10-23 11:34:48 UTC

Primary Media

201570862 — 2023-10-23 14:16:56 UTC

How Downey himself helped create his star image, through his own movies, books, statements, etc

Secondary Media

201570862 — 2023-10-23 14:17:56 UTC

How the Media interpreted his image

201570862 — 2023-10-23 14:21:52 UTC

201570862 — 2023-10-23 14:27:35 UTC

highlighted as a STAR BEHIND BARS

juxtaposition of "Smiling" and "Prison", paints Downey JR as someone who is reckless as they don't care they are in prison or the consequence.

201570862 — 2023-10-23 14:33:11 UTC

Highlights the association's with his star image. Made through his filmography, interviews and the Brat Pack. Creates the idea that he is this hip, cool, youthful, heartthrob, cheeky man

201570862 — 2023-10-23 14:36:41 UTC

Eco activist and Role model (2019- Present)

201570862 — 2023-11-05 14:18:45 UTC

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2019/06/05/robert-downey-jr-aims-clean-planet-entirely-using-robotics-technology/ (Accessed 8 November 2020)

Primary Media

201570862 — 2023-11-05 14:19:39 UTC

How Downey himself helped create his star image, through his own movies, books, statements, etc

Times Magazine name Robert Downey Jr as one of the top 100 most influential people (2008)

201570862 — 2023-11-05 14:35:56 UTC

Downey Jr's role as Tony Stark helped him reach a new level of affluence, especially in the younger generations. Stark had great respect within the Marvel Universe and the character was a natural leader who inspired many.

Secondary Media

201570862 — 2023-11-05 14:36:59 UTC

How the Media interpreted his image

Baudrillard (1994) Hyper reality

201570862 — 2023-11-05 14:46:06 UTC

Baudrillard and his book Simulacra and Simulation (1994) highlights how the boundaries between the real world and fiction world have become blurred. Applying this to Downey Jr, his repetitive role as Tony Stark in the MCU has lead to a blurring of boundaries in real life. People see Downey JR as Stark, people believe that Downey JR carries all the same personality and characteristic traits of Stark. People can no longer recognise where the personalities and characteristics of Downey JR ends and where Stark begins.

Baudrillard, J. (1994). Simulacra and Simulation (S. Glaser, Trans.). University of Michigan Press

According to Jenkins (2013) Fans look to celebrities to see how to live their own lives

201570862 — 2023-11-05 14:49:22 UTC

Therefore Downey Jr has harnessed his influential through embodying Stark and creating a new hybrid star image. Now in his post iron man era, he is growing and expanding the star image and advancing the interests and celebritiy qualities of himself, with advanced interest's in the environment, technology and becoming a role model for society, a role model who values family and helping others

Jenkins, H. (2013) Textual poachers : television fans and participatory culture. Updated twentieth anniversary edition. Routledge. Available at: https://search-ebscohost-com.liverpool.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat00003a&AN=lvp.b4275714&site=eds-live&scope=site (Accessed: 16 March 2022).

In Captain America Civil War (2016), Stark gifts an advanced suit to a child.

201570862 — 2023-11-05 14:59:16 UTC

Downey Jr gifts a child a bionic arm

201570862 — 2023-11-05 15:05:36 UTC

Downey Jr gifts an iron man esk bionic arm to a child, emphasising how he embodying the traits of Tony Stark and applying them in the real world under his own personal star image

Downey Jr visits MIT

201570862 — 2023-11-05 15:29:53 UTC

Downey Jr goes to MIT to promote their work in bionic technology. This fits with Downey JR new star image narrative as this technology is the future of humanity, by Downey Jr backing and publicising this new technology, he conveying Stark traits in his own 'new era' life, continuing the notion that Downey Jr star image builds upon the character of Stark and not reinvent the image in a way what feels like a departure from the character. This for the public creates the idea that Downey Jr wants to be the spokesperson for technology which protects and advances the world in positive ways (like how he was in the MCU). Showing how he wants to make a positive change with his influence.

Role model for the family oriented

201570862 — 2023-11-05 15:33:50 UTC

Recently Downey JR has posted a number of family oriented posts on his Instagram feed

201570862 — 2023-11-05 15:43:02 UTC

This shows what Downey Jr values in his life. As Instagram is a key factor in a stars image today as it allows the public access to a direct communication channel with a celebrity. What a celebrity posts constructs what their values are, by Downey Jr posting frequently about his family, the star image narrative becomes dominated by Downey Jr's family values.

Downey Jr Anniversary Video

201570862 — 2023-11-05 15:49:23 UTC

Downey Jr shares a video of his anniversary holiday with his wife. The video has wholesome music along with some intimate and humours moments. The video reflects his values of wanting to be a good, thoughtful, romantic husband who values his wife.

Downey Jr kids shave his head.

201570862 — 2023-11-05 16:10:05 UTC

Downey Jr allows his kids to shave his hair off for his new movie in this video. This shows that Downey jr is a fun father, who allows his kids to be involved in his life. Dyer says that by displaying qualities of yourself which are ordinary and extraordinary can help you seem more relatable. Downey Jr is starring in a new movie that to the public is extraordinary, his kids shaving his head is ordinary, this makes him seem more relatable and audiences will value his actions and ideologies more and therefore the aspiration of conveying a good father role model is possible as Dyer states that celebrities are representations of ideologies and that audiences want to be like celebrities who are ordinary and extraordinary.

Dolittle (2020)

201570862 — 2023-11-05 16:15:16 UTC

Robert Downey Jr stars in a movie produced by his wife. Showing Downey Jr's commitment to his wife and how much he believes and supports her.

Dolittle is a film, what revolves around a vet who has a sanctuary for animals. Dolittle cares and protects these animals and offers them safety in his sanctuary.

Footprint Coalition

201570862 — 2023-11-06 10:44:36 UTC

Footprint Coalition is a company set up by Downey jr which invests in start up companies what are focused on sustainability and sustainable technology.

201570862 — 2023-11-06 10:54:39 UTC

They have a remit to "Accelerate the adoption of technologies that will aid in climate mitigation, human adaptation, and planetary restoration". and "To create and promote new solutions to propel humanity forward, while reducing our impact on the planet we call home". through investments in sustainable companies and by curating original content. They also hope to educate the public and mobilise the public opinion.

Robert Downey Jr.'s Favorite Vegan Steak Makes American Steakhouse Debut. A steak from a company which has an investment from Footprint Coalition

201570862 — 2023-11-06 11:05:10 UTC

(Accessed 8 November 2023)

Jenkins argues that people textual poach from a star, which means take aspects of a stars image and applies it to their own life. By Downey JR promoting this Vegan Steak, he is using his star power to encourage people to go vegan. He also choose a steak, a very stereotypical patriotic American dish, by promoting a dish which juxtaposes the traditional values of a steak (and a steaks symbolic meaning) with a new twist, its vegan, he's communicating that he wants to have a national impact and wants to change America and their way's of living.

Downstream, a Podcast by Footprint Coalition

201570862 — 2023-11-06 11:19:49 UTC

A podcast hosted by Downey JR, which explores environmental issues created by our industrial footprint, each episode explores a particular issue with an expert guiding them through it

Downey Jr promotes Footprint Coalitions investment in the company Cloud Paper

201570862 — 2023-11-06 11:32:26 UTC

Downey Jr promotes the Company Cloud paper and their bamboo toilet paper. Here Downey Jr educates the public about the positive effects of moving from a tree based toilet paper to a bamboo based toilet paper. He hoping that his star power will open peoples eyes to the environmental impact of toilet paper and how by using bamboo the world will become a greener place.

Promoted on Footprint Coalitions website

201570862 — 2023-11-06 11:35:30 UTC

Team Downey Productions

201570862 — 2023-11-06 11:48:25 UTC

A production set up by Downey Jr and his Wife, Susan Downey. Their recent productions reflect Robert Downey Jr newest star image phase as they all have similar themes, like the environment, which reflect his current star image and lifestyle values.

Downeys Dream Cars (2023)

201570862 — 2023-11-06 12:03:33 UTC

This series focuses on converting Downeys classic cars from their original petrol systems to an all green electrical system, a car of the past reengineered for the future. This conforms with Downeys new green, role model image as he is trying to encourage the classic car audience to reduce their footprint and conform their cars to a good environmental standard

Sweet Tooth (2021-2023)

201570862 — 2023-11-06 12:17:21 UTC

A TV series produced by Team Downey which in set in world where most of the population have died to a virus, a virus which resulted in a new hybrid species, half human half animal. The series has a deeper meaning to it, it represents how we treat our planet, our animals and each other and how we should be protecting and living harmoniously with everyone on this planet. This message fits with the overall narrative Downey has been presenting over the last few years

All this accumulates to...

201570862 — 2023-11-06 12:23:45 UTC

Robert Downey Jr: a rolemodel for society

201570862 — 2023-11-06 12:35:44 UTC

He wants to be seen as a aspirational role model, whether that's for fathers or husbands or as a citizen of the world. He wants to be seen as a man who fights for a better greener world and a world where people can live their best possible lives.

Cook, A. (Amy E.) (2018) Building character : the art and science of casting / Amy Cook. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.9751301.

201570862 — 2023-11-06 13:34:34 UTC

Cook (2018, p.124) believes that with the passage of time Americans will always love a redemption story. She mentions that Downey JR was an example of someone who after a period of time came back to the spotlight and was welcomed back with mainly open arms, as evident with the film Iron Man (2008)

201570862 — 2023-11-06 13:59:35 UTC

This leads to audiences primarily forgetting about Downey JR's past and replacing their memories and star image qualities with ones associated with Tony Stark. Changing audiences notion of Downey JR's star image

Telegraph (2008) Return of a Hero

201570862 — 2023-11-06 14:09:17 UTC

The headline suggests that Downey has bounced back heroically. The idea they have called him a returning hero suggests that the criminal phase of Downey jr has been separated and wiped from his public narrative. We should now always think of him as a hero, no matter the point in time

Horn (2000) Newspaper Article: 'Downey and Out Again' frames the notion that his career is over and he will continue to spiral forever

201570862 — 2023-11-06 14:43:00 UTC

Horn, J. (2000) ‘Downey and Out Again’, Newsweek, 136(24), p. 65. Available at: https://search-ebscohost-com.liverpool.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=3832470&site=ehost-live&scope=site (Accessed: 6 November 2023).

ET: Downey Jr interview for the Pick-up Artist

201570862 — 2023-11-07 13:59:41 UTC

Downey Jr presents a very authentic, open view of himself, how he sees himself as an actor all whilst promoting his first leading role. Gives audiences a deeper interpretation and understanding of Downey Jr

Air America (1990)

201570862 — 2023-11-07 14:03:03 UTC

Downey Jr stars as Billy Covington, a pilot who had his license taken off him due to his rebellious behaviour is recruited to take on a mission what requires his bravery skills and no good attitude.

Promotes Air America on Letterman (1990)

201570862 — 2023-11-07 14:06:02 UTC

Presents himself as charming through humour and presents a authentic charming self through anecdotes about his time on set of Air America and SNL

201570862 — 2023-11-07 14:10:58 UTC

The start of his journey and all of these role represent the kind of actor and celebrity breaking through. All of these movies roles have been comedic to this point and in most he played a classic school schtick like a bully. A schtick helps audiences to anchor which genre or kind of actor he belongs too. For Downey Jr it helped create a persona of someone who is young, hip, witty, charming which is reinforced through Downey Jr attitude in interviews.

201570862 — 2023-11-07 14:16:15 UTC

Highlights Downeys want to be seen as a unit with his wife, by playing mr and mrs and sharing the spotlight. It highlights the importance of his wife in his personal and public life

201570862 — 2023-11-07 14:23:29 UTC

talks about what it means to be an actor in a movie, you should be kind and helpful, reflects an actor who can be hip and cool but can also be responsible and thoughtful

Similarly in an advert for Tropic Thunder (2008), Downey embodies the iconography of Iron Man

201570862 — 2023-11-09 15:07:56 UTC

Promoting the film, with the idea that Tony Stark is in it/acting in it. Shows how Downey Jr is using Stark to represent his image.

Morin (1956) Les Stars

201570862 — 2023-11-09 15:24:26 UTC

Morin, E. (1956) ‘Les stars’, Esprit (Paris. 1932), 24(244), pp. 674-.

He suggests that a star image can be taken over by a certain role or character the actor is known for. This leads to the actor becoming and embodying the character outside of the original text. We see this with Downey jr and the character of Iron Man through the following...

Jenkins, H. (2013) Textual poachers : television fans and participatory culture. Updated twentieth anniversary edition. Routledge. Available at: https://search-ebscohost-com.liverpool.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat00003a&AN=lvp.b4275714&site=eds-live&scope=site (Accessed: 16 March 2022).

201570862 — 2023-11-09 15:27:13 UTC

Dyer, R. (1979) Stars. London: BFI (Accessed: 8 December 2021)

201570862 — 2023-11-09 15:37:39 UTC

Howell, C (2023) A Touch More with Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird: authenticity, intimacy and women’s sports celebrity on Instagram live, Celebrity Studies, 14:3, 264-279, DOI: 10.1080/19392397.2021.1958694

201570862 — 2023-11-09 15:48:27 UTC

Highlights the notion that a celebrity seems more authentic to an audience if they show weaknesses associated with an ordinary person.

Downeys addictions helped make him seem more authentic to audiences, this authenticity meant audiences felt more connected to Downey Jr, allowing him to make a comeback

Lennard, D. (2019) ‘Wonder Boys: Matt Damon, Johnny Depp, and Robert Downey Jr’, in Shining in Shadows. Ithaca, NY: Rutgers University Press, pp. 12–31. Available at: https://doi.org/10.36019/9780813552163-003.

201570862 — 2023-11-09 15:56:15 UTC

This book highlights Downey Jr comeback with Iron Man (2008) film. Highlights how he wanted to be seen as in control and professional and how Iron man was his way back.

Eberwein, R (2010) Acting for America : Movie Stars of The 1980s, edited by Robert Eberwein, Rutgers University Press. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/liverpool/detail.action?docID=867795. (Accessed 8 November 2023)

201570862 — 2023-11-09 16:31:21 UTC

This concept is highlighted by Eberwein

Gerbner's Cultivation Theory (1986): Gerbner, G., Gross, L., Morgan, M. and Signorelli, N. (1986) Living with Television: The Dynamics of the Cultivation Process, in J. Bryant and D. Zillman (eds) Perspectives on Media Effects . Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. G (Accessed: 2007)

201570862 — 2023-11-09 22:43:47 UTC

The idea that repeated exposure to the same ideology or iconography can change an audiences perceptions.

If applying this to Downey Jr, this 5 year negative news cycle, means that audiences are constantly seeing Downey Jr being labelled as a criminal, leading to Downey Jr's star image being impacted...

Gregory (2008) Trials and audiences

201570862 — 2023-11-09 23:03:18 UTC

Gregory (2008) believes the reason why audiences love and invest in celebrity trials is because they love their dramatical nature and the fact that a star has further to fall compared to a ordinary person

Gregory, K. (2008) "Celebrities: Who they are, how they gain popularity, and why society is so fascinated with them and their court cases". Senior Honors Theses & Projects. 150. Available at: https://commons.emich.edu/honors/150 (Accessed 8 November 2023)

Stark Star

201570862 — 2023-11-09 23:10:40 UTC

a snarky, edgy, egotistical, hip, heroic celebrity

Downey Jr plants some trees (Accessed 8 November 2023)

201570862 — 2023-11-10 08:37:00 UTC

Downey Jr posts on Instagram a video of him and his family planting some trees under the hashtag footprintcoalition, showing him raising awareness about the importance of the environment and how he takes care of it, but also promotes his company at the same time.

Downey Jr raises awareness of the dangers of social media to parents

201570862 — 2023-11-10 08:50:46 UTC

Downey Jr uploaded this video onto Instagram educating parents about the dangers of social media and cyberbullying. Blumler and Katz (1974) state with their uses and gratifications theory, that audiences use media texts to be educated, so by Downey uploading this, his star power brings people in and his image helps educate parents.

Blumler, j. G , & Katz, E. (1974). Foreword. In J. G. Blumler & E. Katz (Eds.), The uses of mass communications: Current perspectives on gratifications research. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

201570862 — 2023-11-10 08:52:05 UTC

Robert Downey Jr. by 201570862

Primary Media

Secondary Media

Star image

Early Career (1980's-1990's)

Weird Science (1985)

Tuff Turf (1985)

The Pick-up Artist (1987)

Film Review: The Pick-up Artist (1987)

Film Review: The Pick-up Artist (1987)

The Brat Pack's members

Birth of the media curated collective group known as the 'Brat Pack'

Coming together of personality and group associations to create his star image

Rising Star

Criminal Phase (Late 1990's- Early 2000's)

Phases of the Star Image

Less Than Zero (1987)

Downey JR's interview with The Guardian reflecting on his Less than Zero character (2003)

This was the start of Downey Jr struggle with addiction. Which lead to multiple arrests and the start of a new star image, a criminal image

Entertainment Weekly: Robert Downey JR Arrested

BBC News (2000): Robert Downey JR Arrested

LA Times (1997) Actor Robert Downey Jr. Given 6-Month Jail Term (Accessed 8 November 2023)

CNN (1999): Downey sentenced to prison for three years.

LA Times (1996): A Troubled Actor's Rude Awakening (Accessed 8 November 2023)

The Simpsons (1999) portray's Downey JR as an Unhinged, Criminal Movie Star

Ricky Gervais introduces Downey JR as a criminal

Together, his primary and secondary media form a new star image

Criminal Star

Iron Man Phase (2008-2019)

Iron Man (2008)

Lifestyle of Tony Stark

Lifestyle of Robert Downey JR.

Tony Stark Wants a Cheeseburger

Robert Downey Jr wants a Cheeseburger

The Cheeseburger is a symbol of change for both Stark and Downey Jr. It represents an epiphany , a moment of realisation which marks the start of their new approach to life

Embodiment

Video: RDJ being just like Tony Stark for 10 minutes

Downey JR mirrors Tony Starks iconography for a non MCU interview

Gerbner's Cultivation Theory (1986): Gerbner, G., Gross, L., Morgan, M. and Signorelli, N. (1986) Living with Television: The Dynamics of the Cultivation Process, in J. Bryant and D. Zillman (eds) Perspectives on Media Effects . Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. G (Accessed: 2007)

Appeared in nine MCU films

Video: robert downey jr acting like tony stark for one minute and forty nine seconds.

Tony Starks Glasses

Downey Jr wears glasses which are very much in the style of Tony Stark in his personal life

In the films Tony Stark acts as a father figure for Peter Parker

In real life Robert Downey Jr acts as a father figure for Tom Holland in the public sphere

Audiences now recognised this merger of persona's and recognise this new star image, a star image what reflects and embodies Tony Stark

Fan compilations, a lot of clips refer to him being Iron Man

Fan compilations: most of the "Best of" moments are MCU Iron Man related.

Fans celebrate Downey JR birthday by calling him Iron Man

Primary Media

Secondary Media

juxtaposition of "Smiling" and "Prison", paints Downey JR as someone who is reckless as they don't care they are in prison or the consequence.

Highlights the association's with his star image. Made through his filmography, interviews and the Brat Pack. Creates the idea that he is this hip, cool, youthful, heartthrob, cheeky man

Eco activist and Role model (2019- Present)

Primary Media

Times Magazine name Robert Downey Jr as one of the top 100 most influential people (2008)

Secondary Media

Baudrillard (1994) Hyper reality

According to Jenkins (2013) Fans look to celebrities to see how to live their own lives

In Captain America Civil War (2016), Stark gifts an advanced suit to a child.

Downey Jr gifts a child a bionic arm

Downey Jr visits MIT

Role model for the family oriented

Recently Downey JR has posted a number of family oriented posts on his Instagram feed

Downey Jr Anniversary Video

Downey Jr kids shave his head.

Dolittle (2020)

Footprint Coalition

Robert Downey Jr.'s Favorite Vegan Steak Makes American Steakhouse Debut. A steak from a company which has an investment from Footprint Coalition

Downstream, a Podcast by Footprint Coalition

Downey Jr promotes Footprint Coalitions investment in the company Cloud Paper

Promoted on Footprint Coalitions website

Team Downey Productions

Downeys Dream Cars (2023)

Sweet Tooth (2021-2023)

All this accumulates to...

Robert Downey Jr: a rolemodel for society

Cook, A. (Amy E.) (2018) Building character : the art and science of casting / Amy Cook. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.9751301.

Telegraph (2008) Return of a Hero

Horn (2000) Newspaper Article: 'Downey and Out Again' frames the notion that his career is over and he will continue to spiral forever

Cook, A. (Amy E.) (2018) Building character : the art and science of casting / Amy Cook. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.9751301.