Robert Downey Jr. And Craig Ferguson Joked About Their Crippling Addiction Issues During A Long-Forgotten Interview

Craig Ferguson’s late-night interview with Robert Downey Jr. was hilarious and memorable because of how honest they were about their addictions.

HIGHLIGHTS

 Robert Downey Jr. and Craig Ferguson had a humorous and vulnerable conversation about addiction on The Late Late Show.
 Robert Downey Jr. talked about his decades-long struggle with addiction, including his arrests and eventual recovery.
 Craig Ferguson has also been open about his own battle with alcoholism.

Whether fans are watching him play Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or a serious character like Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer, Robert Downey Jr. can do anything. Surprisingly, the actor wasn’t paid as much for Iron Man as people would think. Even so, he has had an amazing career, but he hasn’t always had a happy personal life.

Although Robert Downey Jr. was unhappy with one interview because he didn’t feel like discussing the topic at hand, he opened up a lot more another time. When the actor appeared on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, the two had a humorous and vulnerable conversation about addiction.

Robert Downey Jr. And Craig Ferguson Discussed Addiction On The Late Night Host’s Show

When Craig Ferguson interviewed Robert Downey Jr., the two had a casual chat about the video games Halo and Super Mario. Then, they talked about the fact that they have both dealt with addiction. Ferguson approached the subject with humor, and the result was one of the most riveting interviews on a late-night TV show.

When the actor joked that he couldn’t spend a long time playing video games because “I have a day job,” Ferguson said:

“You used to get involved in other activities even though you had a day job… I did too, I did too.”

Downey Jr. joked “that sounds real dark” and Ferguson agreed. When the actor said that now that they are sober they can drive, Ferguson replied, “I sometimes think with the world has gone to hell when I’m suddenly reliable, that’s bad.”

The conversation turned to the fact that the actor was going to play Sherlock Holmes next, and Ferguson made another joke about addiction and recovery. He said that Downey Jr.’s schedule was so busy and added:

“You wouldn’t have time to do any other activities.”

Robert Downey Jr. seemed glad to be on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and briefly commented on the host’s fast sense of humor. When the actor talks about his drug use in interviews, the conversation is usually very serious, which of course makes sense given the topic.

While sometimes, jokes about addiction will seem offensive and definitely not funny, Ferguson was able to keep the conversation polite and respectful.

Robert Downey Jr. Used Drugs For Decades Before Getting Clean

In 2014, Robert Downey Jr. talked about his addiction in an interview with Vanity Fair. He said that he knew that he had to stop using drugs after he was arrested several times and was even walking around Los Angeles without any shoes on.

Robert Downey Jr. went to prison in 1999 for less than 12 months but was given a 36-month sentence. After he began using substances during his childhood, he kept going when he was a famous actor.

Downey Jr. said in his Vanity Fair interview:

“Job one is get out of that cave. A lot of people do get out but don’t change. So the thing is to get out and recognize the significance of that aggressive denial of your fate, come through the crucible forged into a stronger metal. Or whatever. But I don’t even know if that was my experience.”

Robert Downey Jr.’s Arrests (According to Nicki Swift)

1996: arrested for having drugs and a .357 Magnum in his car
1996: arrested for not staying in a rehab program
1996: arrested for trespassing and sleeping in the bed of a neighbor
1996: broke his probation and was arrested
2001: arrested for having drugs
2001: arrested in Culver City for being on drugs

According to The New York Post, Robert Downey Jr. was on Armchair Expert and told Dax Shepard that before he went to prison, he was put in a “receiving center” that was “arguably the most dangerous place.” Although he went to rehab after he was in prison, he kept using before he stopped for good in 2003.

In 2014, Downey Jr.’s son Indio was arrested when he was found with cocaine. According to People, Indio went to rehab afterward. A source explained to the publication that the actor was “proud” and knew how tough it can be.

Craig Ferguson Became Sober In 1992

While Craig Ferguson mentioned that he has also dealt with addiction in his interview with Robert Downey Jr., he didn’t get into any details at that time. Ferguson has suffered from alcoholism and he has always approached the subject with complete honesty. Besides writing about his drinking in his memoir “Riding The Elephant,” he has discussed the subject in interviews. He also talked about it on his late-night show a few times.

In an interview with NPR in 2019, Craig Ferguson shared a heartbreaking story about the time he tried to end his life when his alcoholism was really bad. He also said that he attempts “to live in the moment” now.

According to The Guardian, when Craig Ferguson talked about Britney Spears in a monologue in 2007, he also shared that he had just celebrated 15 years of sobriety.

The comedian and former late-night host said, “My own experience with alcoholism is not necessarily [like] anyone else’s. But I have found the most therapeutic thing I can do is talk to other alcoholics who have been in a similar situation.”