Robert Downey Jr Reveals Jodie Foster Sent Him A Letter In Prison

Robert Downey Jr. opened up to David Letterman and talked about his addiction struggles. The actor revealed Jodie Foster sent him a letter when he was in prison after working with him.

He got candid on his past struggles in the latest episode of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction. The actor was fighting in his earlier days with drugs and alcohol addiction. He admitted there was one time when he was working and using it at the same time.

The Avengers actor talked about his role in the 1995 Jodie Foster-directed movie, Home for the Holidays. He said, “There was a single crossover, and I call it the most relaxed performance in the history of cinema.”

Robert continued, “She [Jodie] was really critical of just being like, ‘Well, looks like you’re getting away with it on this one. I wouldn’t try this again because we’re kind of a forgiving group.’ I was like, ‘Wasn’t that last take great?’ She’s like, ‘Yeah, you’re great. It’s going great.’”

The actor was previously arrested in 1996 when he was found with cocaine, heroin, and a handgun. He was also arrested just two weeks later after being caught trespassing into the neighbor’s home while being under the influence. The Iron Man alum was placed under probation and had to undergo drug counseling.

However, the actor violated his probation several times which led him to be sentenced to three years in prison back in 1999. Robert revealed that Jodie had sent him a letter while he was in prison. He said she wrote she will tell him what she meant by saying it is going great.

The actor has been sober since 2003 and has become a fan-favorite especially after the Avengers franchise. He explained that using was the culture he grew up in. Robert said he does not know the tipping point in terms of when he crossed over his addiction.

The Dr. Dolittle actor said, “As the AMA [American Medical Association] will say that alcoholism or addiction is essentially a brain disease, but it’s a brain disease that people don’t want to take the cure for when it’s offered, so it’s a very insidious thing.”

The third season of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction is available on Netflix.