Entertainment
Jimmy Kimmel pokes fun at Robert Downey Jr.’s past struggles with drugs in Oscars 2024 opening comedy routine
Jimmy Kimmel made an awkward quip about Robert Downey Jr.’s drug addiction during his Oscars 2024 monologue Sunday night.
“This is the highest point of Robert Downey Jr.’s long and illustrious career — well, one of the highest points,” the evening’s host quipped as the camera panned to the “Oppenheimer” star.
Downey Jr. then tapped on his nose twice, perhaps in reference to his past cocaine addiction, to which Kimmel responded, “Too on the nose? Or is that a drug motion you made?”
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The “Iron Man” star, who is nominated for his role as Lewis Strauss in the Best Supporting Actor category at this year’s Academy Awards, then made a rolling motion with his hands to push the late-night host to keep the monologue moving.
Downey Jr., 58, has come a long way since he was imprisoned as inmate P50522 in 1999, when he was sentenced to three years behind bars amid his struggle with illicit substances.
The “Avengers” actor has been sober since July 2003 but has never shied away from talking about his troubled past.
Over the summer, he told “Parenthood” alum Dax Shepard on his “Armchair Expert” podcast that prison was like “being sent to a distant planet where there is no way home until the planets align.”
Downey Jr. was first arrested in 1996 for possession of heroin, cocaine and an unloaded .357-caliber Magnum. He was sentenced to three years of probation and required to undergo mandatory drug testing.
The “Tropic Thunder” star, however, skipped a drug test and had to spend four months in Los Angeles County jail, which prompted his first wife, Deborah Falconer, to leave him.
Despite the initial punishment, Downey Jr. skipped yet another drug test and landed the 3-year sentence at a state prison in California.
“You could just feel the evil in the air, and that was no trouble at all because it was kind of like just being in a really bad neighborhood,” Downey Jr. told Shepard. “There was no opportunity there. There was only threats.”
Unfortunately, his drug abuse didn’t end there, as Downey Jr. was arrested on drug charges in April 2001 after Los Angeles police found him in an alleyway.
Production behind the hit show “Ally McBeal” fired him and he was sent to rehab.
With help from his friends, including since-disgraced actor Mel Gibson, the “Sherlock Holmes” star sobered up and eventually met his second and current wife, Susan Levin, whom he’s described as his “bedrock, touchstone and lucky stars.”
Downey Jr. and Levin married in a star-studded wedding in the Hamptons in 2005 that featured performances by Billy Joel and Sting.
“Susan is his blessing,” a source close to Downey Jr. told Page Six.
The couple share son Exton, 12, and daughter Avri, 9. He’s also father to son Indio, 30, whom he shares with Falconer.
Entertainment
Courteney Cox Reveals Late ‘Friends’ Co-Star Matthew Perry Continues to ‘Visit’ Her Even After His Passing
Courteney Cox, best known for her role as Monica Gellar on the hit sitcom “Friends,” recently opened up about her late co-star, Matthew Perry. In an interview with “CBS Sunday Morning,” she shared that she still feels Perry’s presence and believes he visits her.
The actress expressed her gratitude for having the opportunity to work closely with Perry for so many years. She reflected on their time together on the show and mentioned that she often feels his presence around her. Cox even mentioned that she talks to her late parents and Matthew, indicating a belief in a spiritual connection with those who have passed on.
Matthew Perry tragically passed away on October 28, 2023, at the age of 54. His cause of death was determined to be the acute effects of ketamine, with accidental drowning, coronary artery disease, and the opioid buprenorphine contributing to his passing. The news of Perry’s death deeply saddened his former “Friends” castmates, with Cox, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, and Lisa Kudrow releasing a joint statement expressing their grief and love for Perry.
Courteney Cox also paid tribute to Perry on social media, sharing a heartfelt message along with a clip from one of their memorable scenes on “Friends.” She described Perry as funny and kind, recalling moments on set where he would share funny lines with her before filming. Cox expressed how much she misses Perry and how grateful she is for the time they shared together.
The bond between Courteney Cox and Matthew Perry was evident both on and off-screen during their time working together on “Friends.” Their chemistry as Monica and Chandler resonated with audiences, and their friendship continued beyond the show. Cox’s acknowledgment of feeling Perry’s presence even after his passing speaks to the deep connection they shared as colleagues and friends.
As fans look back on the legacy of “Friends” and the beloved characters brought to life by the talented cast, Courteney Cox’s sentiments about Matthew Perry serve as a touching reminder of the impact their bond had on those around them. Perry may no longer be physically present, but his spirit lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, including Cox, who continues to cherish the memories they created together.
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Courteney Cox Reveals Late ‘Friends’ Co-Star Matthew Perry Continues to ‘Visit’ Her Even After His Passing