Robert Downey Jr has been married to his wife Susan Downey since 2005 and he’s often praised her for helping him to get clean after he struggled with addiction

Susan Downey has stood by her husband
Robert Downey Jr struggled with addiction for years, but his wife Susan Downey helped him through his troubles.

The pair have been married for two decades, having first met on the set of the horror film Gothika in 2003. Robert was starring in the film alongside Halle Berry, while Susan was producing the film.

The year that they met is the year Robert was able to overcome his drug addiction issues and he’s maintained his sobriety ever since. Author Ben Falk, who wrote a book about the Iron Man star, told The Mirror US Robert has Susan to thank for helping him get to where he is now.

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“He met Susan on the set of Gothika and fell in love,” Falk explained. The expert described Susan as a “no nonsense woman,” something Robert very much needed.

Robert Downey Jr has been married to his wife for years(Image: FilmMagic)
Falk continued, “She’s someone who he realized that if he wanted to stay with her and be with her, he had to do something about his lifestyle. So she is an absolutely crucial part of his turn around because she would take no prisoners really in terms of, if he fell off the wagon, she was going to leave.”

He added, “She was a huge reason why he managed to turn his life around and obviously they’re still together and very happy and have kids together. So it’s worked out.”

Falk also credited Robert’s “goodwill in Hollywood” for him being able to get sober. “I always think it’s because he was probably quite benevolent,” he told us.

Falk continued, “It meant that people still wanted to hire him. Even despite all the issues David Fincher still wanted to hire him, despite all the issues Jon Favreau still wanted to make him Iron Man.”

Iron Man was the turning point in Robert’s career, launching him to a new level of stardom. “I don’t think that would have happened if a not for the love of Susan,” Falk said.

She helped him beat his addiction(Image: WireImage for Vanity Fair)
Before his marriage to Susan, Robert had previously dated Sarah Jessica Parker and was married to actress and singer Deborah Falconer. Deborah and Robert had only known each other for six weeks before marrying.

Their marriage was strained by constant partying and Robert’s trips to rehab and they split in 2001, with Deborah filing for divorce citing “irreconcilable differences.” Their divorce was finalized three years later.

Speaking about Robert’s romances, Falk told us, “He’s had some really interesting relationships in his past. His first big, big love with Sarah Jessica Parker, who was again, quite like Susan, kind of the complete opposite to him. She was really focused and professional. And she didn’t do any partying at all.”

Falk credited Sarah for keeping Robert “on the straight and narrow.” However, he said their relationship ended when it “just became too crazy.”

The author added, “His first wife, Deborah, was very much in the party scene in Hollywood and I think they did a lot of their partying together. So there wasn’t that sort of guardrail for him.

“But then Susan coming along, you know, she’s a producer, professional. She wanted to succeed in the business but she wasn’t recognized as talent. And I think what he’s always needed is he needed that kind of Sarah Jessica Parker again. He’s needed that kind of guiding hands, someone to look after him. And him and Susan make an incredible pair. They’re clearly perfect for each other.”