Robert Downey Jr. is one of the most successful and popular actors in Hollywood, known for his roles as Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes, and Chaplin. He has won numerous awards and accolades for his performances, and has been praised for his comeback from substance abuse and legal troubles. But is he related to another famous Downey, the controversial talk show host Morton Downey Jr.?
The answer is no. Robert Downey Jr. and Morton Downey Jr. are not related by blood or marriage. They have different parents, grandparents, and ancestors. They also have different middle names: Robert’s middle name is John, while Morton’s middle name is Sean.
The origins of the rumor
The rumor that Robert Downey Jr. and Morton Downey Jr. are related may have originated from their similar last names, their involvement in show business, and their connection to New York. Both of them were born in New York City, and both of them had parents who were famous in the entertainment industry.
Robert’s father, Robert Downey Sr., was an actor and filmmaker, while his mother, Elsie Ann Ford, was an actress who appeared in his father’s films. Robert’s paternal grandfather was of Irish descent, while his paternal grandmother was of half Lithuanian Jewish and half Hungarian Jewish ancestry. Robert’s maternal grandfather was of Scottish descent, while his maternal grandmother was of German and Swiss-German ancestry.
Morton’s father, Morton Downey, was a popular singer and radio star, while his mother, Barbara Bennett, was a stage and film actress and singer and dancer. Morton’s paternal grandfather was of Irish descent, while his paternal grandmother was of English descent. Morton’s maternal grandfather was Richard Bennett, a celebrated matinee idol and actor, while his maternal grandmother was Adrienne Morrison, an actress and daughter of a stage actor. Morton’s maternal aunts were Constance Bennett and Joan Bennett, both Hollywood film stars.
The differences between the two
Despite their superficial similarities, Robert Downey Jr. and Morton Downey Jr. had very different careers and personalities. Robert Downey Jr. started acting as a child, appearing in his father’s films. He later became a member of the Brat Pack in the 1980s, starring in films such as Weird Science and Less Than Zero. He received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Charlie Chaplin in the 1992 biopic Chaplin, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. He struggled with drug addiction and legal issues in the 1990s and early 2000s, but managed to overcome them and revitalize his career with roles such as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie’s films, and Kirk Lazarus in Tropic Thunder.
Morton Downey Jr., on the other hand, was a talk show host and actor who pioneered the “trash TV” format in the late 1980s on his program The Morton Downey Jr. Show. He was known for his abrasive style, confrontational attitude, and conservative views. He often provoked and insulted his guests, who were usually liberals, feminists, minorities, or activists. He also engaged in physical altercations with some of them, such as when he was tackled by security guards after a heated exchange with Wally George on Hot Seat. His show was controversial and popular for a short time, but it was canceled in 1989 after his ratings declined and he was involved in a hoax where he claimed to have been attacked by neo-Nazis in a bathroom. He later became a singer and songwriter, recording songs in both pop and country genres. He died of lung cancer in 2001 at the age of 67.
The conclusion
Robert Downey Jr. and Morton Downey Jr. are not related by blood or marriage. They have different parents, grandparents, and ancestors. They also have different middle names: Robert’s middle name is John, while Morton’s middle name is Sean. They have similar last names because they both inherited them from their fathers, who were both named Morton Downey. They both were born in New York City, and both had parents who were famous in the entertainment industry. However, they had very different careers and personalities: Robert is an actor who has won awards and acclaim for his roles as Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes, and Chaplin; Morton was a talk show host who pioneered the “trash TV” format with his provocative and confrontational style.
