Robert Downey Jr. was in a film.
Robert Downey Jr. . He starred as the title character in the 1992 film Chaplin , which earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor and won him the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role . Downey Jr. 's career prospects improved when he featured in the mystery thriller Zodiac ( 2007 ) , and the satirical action comedy Tropic Thunder ( 2008 ) ; for the latter he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor . Beginning in 2008 , Downey began portraying the role of Marvel Comics superhero Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe , appearing in several films as either the lead role , member of an ensemble cast , or in a cameo .