Anthony Michael Hall is looking back on a friendship that survived both Hollywood success and some much darker years. The “Breakfast Club” star says he stayed close to Robert Downey Jr. while the future MCU star dealt with serious legal troubles. Now, Hall is sharing one memory that shows how deep that loyalty ran. He says he made a point of visiting Downey while his longtime friend was behind bars.
Anthony Michael Hall says he visited Robert Downey Jr. while his longtime friend was behind bars
During the Aug. 19 episode of Danielle Fishel’s Teen Beat podcast, Hall reflected on his more than 40-year friendship with Downey. “I’ve been there for him,” Hall said before recalling that he visited the actor when he was “in the clink.”
However, Hall did not dwell on the details of Robert Downey Jr.’s legal troubles. Entertainment Weekly noted that Downey faced multiple drug-related arrests between 1996 and 2001. He later entered court-ordered rehabilitation and has remained sober since 2003.
Meanwhile, Hall focused on the friendship that survived those difficult years. He called Downey a “good friend” and said he remains proud of everything the actor has achieved.
In fact, their history started long before Downey became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Hall helped him secure a “Saturday Night Live” audition in 1985, and both actors joined the cast that year. They also worked together on “Weird Science.”
Hall became closely associated with “The Breakfast Club”, while Downey eventually became an MCU star through “Iron Man.” More recently, Downey won an Oscar for “Oppenheimer” and is returning to Marvel as Doctor Doom.
Still, Hall said enormous success has not changed his longtime friend. He described Downey as down-to-earth and also credited Susan Downey with playing an important role in his comeback.
The pair have continued looking for opportunities to work together as well. Hall said he once wrote a script with Downey and his late father, Robert Downey Sr., while another project they later developed never moved forward.
For Hall, the jail visit is ultimately one chapter in a friendship that has lasted decades.
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