Robert Downey Jr. recalls life behind bars: 'A distant planet with no way home'

In unusual candour, actor Robert Downey Jr., whose turn as Iron Man from the Marvel Universe is still fondly remembered by fans, recently offered an unfiltered glimpse into his turbulent past. This peek behind the curtain took place during a riveting conversation with his old friend and fellow actor, Dax Shepard, on the 'Armchair Expert' podcast, according to a report by The Messenger.  

Before his image became synonymous with Tony Stark, the tech genius superhero, Downey Jr., 58, fought real-life villains—his notorious battle with substance abuse. This perilous journey reached its nadir when Downey Jr. was sentenced to a three-year prison term in the late '90s. He served a year behind bars, having already spent a significant amount of time in custody. In 2015, Downey Jr. was pardoned for his conviction.     

Robert Downey Jr.: From Stardom to Incarceration

Fueled by a candid ambiance, Shepard explored an often-untouched chapter of Downey Jr.'s past—his prison time. The Hollywood stalwart offered his rare and candid reflections on his time in incarceration.  

A Journey to the "Most Dangerous Place"

Downey Jr. recreated the memory of his court sentencing, which subsequently led to his time in Delano, a receiving area that determines inmates' designation. He shared, "You could just feel the evil in the air. There were no opportunities there. Only threats." The actor further painted an image of a disoriented man with his underwear on backward in the prison shower, triggering jeers from fellow inmates.  

Emphasizing his sensations when he first entered the prison yard, Downey Jr. compared the experience to "being sent to a distant planet where there is no way home until the planets align." Answering Shepard's query about when he fully realized his incarceration, he stated it took about two weeks. However, he noted, "By day 15, I'm dialed in. If you have the willingness to do harm, it is unlikely that you will be targeted."  

Life Beyond the Iron Bars

Having successfully battled his demons, Downey Jr. is now set to drive into a new lane with the launch of his latest project, 'Downey’s Dream Cars.' This highly-anticipated series will debut on the Max streaming service this Thursday.