Robert Downey Jr. at the BAFTAs.Photo:Kate Green/BAFTA/GettyRobert Downey Jr.is taking home another award for hisOppenheimerperformance — and can’t resist another opportunity to poke fun at his own career.For his portrayal of Atomic Energy Commission chairmanLewis Straussin theChristopher Nolan-directed drama, the actor, 58, won best actor in a supporting role at the2024 EE BAFTA Film Awardson Sunday.In his acceptance speech, he quickly — and, in true Downey Jr. fashion, sarcastically — reflected on his acting experiences, from his teenage years to his Marvel stardom.“When I was 15, I wanted to bePeter O’Toole. When I was 25, I worked forRichard AttenboroughandAnthony Hopkins,” Downey Jr. said. “When I was 35, I finally understood why Dickie thought Tony would be a better role model for me than Peter."“When I was 42, I did two films forGuy Ritchieand learned how to make big Hollywood movies with a civil British fare,” he added, referring to 2009’sSherlock Holmesand its 2011 sequel.Robert Downey Jr.Kate Green/BAFTA/GettyThen, Downey Jr. mentioned his decade-long stint asTony Stark, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s resident “genius/billionaire/playboy/philanthropist,” which is widely considered his most well-known role.“I then played a guy named Tony in the MCU for about 12 years,” he said, before joking that “recently, that dude Chris Nolan suggested I attempt an understated approach as a last-ditch effort to perhaps resurrect my dwindling credibility.““So I share this with my fellow nominees,” he finished. “This has been an exceptional year.“Downey Jr. also honored his his castmates and loved ones —including his wife— in his speech, saying, “I owe this to Chris, Emma, Cillian, the cast and crew, Universal, WME and honestly just British influence. And I place this at the feet of my alpha and omega: Susan Downey.“In his BAFTA category, Downey Jr. was up against Robert De Niro forKillers of the Flower Moon,Jacob Elordi forSaltburn,Ryan Gosling forBarbie,Paul Mescal forAll of Us Strangersand Dominic Sessa forThe Holdovers.Robert Downey Jr. at the London premiere of ‘Oppenheimer.'.Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu Agency via GettyIn addition to his BAFTA, Downey Jr. has also taken home aGolden GlobeandCritics’ Choice Awardfor hisOppenheimerrole this award season. He is also nominated for aSAG Award, as well as anOscar.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.The 2024 BAFTA Awards are being held at the Royal Festival Hall in London and streaming on BritBox in the U.S. on a tape delay.
Robert Downey Jr. at the BAFTAs.Photo:Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty
Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty
Robert Downey Jr.is taking home another award for hisOppenheimerperformance — and can’t resist another opportunity to poke fun at his own career.For his portrayal of Atomic Energy Commission chairmanLewis Straussin theChristopher Nolan-directed drama, the actor, 58, won best actor in a supporting role at the2024 EE BAFTA Film Awardson Sunday.In his acceptance speech, he quickly — and, in true Downey Jr. fashion, sarcastically — reflected on his acting experiences, from his teenage years to his Marvel stardom.“When I was 15, I wanted to bePeter O’Toole. When I was 25, I worked forRichard AttenboroughandAnthony Hopkins,” Downey Jr. said. “When I was 35, I finally understood why Dickie thought Tony would be a better role model for me than Peter."“When I was 42, I did two films forGuy Ritchieand learned how to make big Hollywood movies with a civil British fare,” he added, referring to 2009’sSherlock Holmesand its 2011 sequel.Robert Downey Jr.Kate Green/BAFTA/GettyThen, Downey Jr. mentioned his decade-long stint asTony Stark, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s resident “genius/billionaire/playboy/philanthropist,” which is widely considered his most well-known role.“I then played a guy named Tony in the MCU for about 12 years,” he said, before joking that “recently, that dude Chris Nolan suggested I attempt an understated approach as a last-ditch effort to perhaps resurrect my dwindling credibility.““So I share this with my fellow nominees,” he finished. “This has been an exceptional year.“Downey Jr. also honored his his castmates and loved ones —including his wife— in his speech, saying, “I owe this to Chris, Emma, Cillian, the cast and crew, Universal, WME and honestly just British influence. And I place this at the feet of my alpha and omega: Susan Downey.“In his BAFTA category, Downey Jr. was up against Robert De Niro forKillers of the Flower Moon,Jacob Elordi forSaltburn,Ryan Gosling forBarbie,Paul Mescal forAll of Us Strangersand Dominic Sessa forThe Holdovers.Robert Downey Jr. at the London premiere of ‘Oppenheimer.'.Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu Agency via GettyIn addition to his BAFTA, Downey Jr. has also taken home aGolden GlobeandCritics’ Choice Awardfor hisOppenheimerrole this award season. He is also nominated for aSAG Award, as well as anOscar.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.The 2024 BAFTA Awards are being held at the Royal Festival Hall in London and streaming on BritBox in the U.S. on a tape delay.
Robert Downey Jr.is taking home another award for hisOppenheimerperformance — and can’t resist another opportunity to poke fun at his own career.
For his portrayal of Atomic Energy Commission chairmanLewis Straussin theChristopher Nolan-directed drama, the actor, 58, won best actor in a supporting role at the2024 EE BAFTA Film Awardson Sunday.
In his acceptance speech, he quickly — and, in true Downey Jr. fashion, sarcastically — reflected on his acting experiences, from his teenage years to his Marvel stardom.
“When I was 15, I wanted to bePeter O’Toole. When I was 25, I worked forRichard AttenboroughandAnthony Hopkins,” Downey Jr. said. “When I was 35, I finally understood why Dickie thought Tony would be a better role model for me than Peter.”
“When I was 42, I did two films forGuy Ritchieand learned how to make big Hollywood movies with a civil British fare,” he added, referring to 2009’sSherlock Holmesand its 2011 sequel.
Robert Downey Jr.Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty
Then, Downey Jr. mentioned his decade-long stint asTony Stark, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s resident “genius/billionaire/playboy/philanthropist,” which is widely considered his most well-known role.
“I then played a guy named Tony in the MCU for about 12 years,” he said, before joking that “recently, that dude Chris Nolan suggested I attempt an understated approach as a last-ditch effort to perhaps resurrect my dwindling credibility.”
“So I share this with my fellow nominees,” he finished. “This has been an exceptional year.”
Downey Jr. also honored his his castmates and loved ones —including his wife— in his speech, saying, “I owe this to Chris, Emma, Cillian, the cast and crew, Universal, WME and honestly just British influence. And I place this at the feet of my alpha and omega: Susan Downey.”
In his BAFTA category, Downey Jr. was up against Robert De Niro forKillers of the Flower Moon,Jacob Elordi forSaltburn,Ryan Gosling forBarbie,Paul Mescal forAll of Us Strangersand Dominic Sessa forThe Holdovers.
Robert Downey Jr. at the London premiere of ‘Oppenheimer.'.Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu Agency via Getty
Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu Agency via Getty
In addition to his BAFTA, Downey Jr. has also taken home aGolden GlobeandCritics’ Choice Awardfor hisOppenheimerrole this award season. He is also nominated for aSAG Award, as well as anOscar.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
The 2024 BAFTA Awards are being held at the Royal Festival Hall in London and streaming on BritBox in the U.S. on a tape delay.
source: people.com
