Robert Downey Jr. has portrayed a character.
Robert Downey Jr. . After being released in 2000 from the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison where he was on drug charges , Downey joined the cast of the TV series Ally McBeal playing Calista Flockhart 's love interest . His character was written out when Downey was fired after two drug arrests in late 2000 and early 2001 . 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 . Downey Jr. has also played the title character in Guy Ritchie 's Sherlock Holmes ( 2009 ) and its sequel ( 2011 ) .