How Robert Downey Jr.’s Wife, Susan, Developed a ‘Really Great Relationship’ With Stepson Indio
Robert Downey Jr. is happily married to Susan Downey. But when they first met filming the Halle Berry movie, Gothika, the Iron Man actor had already been a husband and a father. Ahead, learn how Susan handled becoming a step-mom to Downey Jr.’s son, Indio Falconer Downey.
Indio is the son of Robert Downey Jr. and Deborah Falconer
Downey Jr. met his ex-wife, Deborah Falconer, in 1992. After a whirlwind romance of six weeks, the actor and model-singer married. In 1993, they became parents when they welcomed Indio. Three years later in 1996, the couple separated. In those days, Downey Jr. had been known for his drug and alcohol use.
The Golden Globe-winning actor would go on to be arrested for violating his probation and eventually serve time in prison. He spent the rest of the late ‘90s and early 2000s doing stints in rehab. Meanwhile, he and Falconer were still married. They didn’t make their split official until 2004 when they divorced.
Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey married in 2005
Not too long after Downey Jr. and Falconer divorced, the Sherlock Holmes actor walked down the aisle. He and Susan (then Susan Levin) tied the knot with a big ceremony in the Hamptons in 2005. When the producer and actor married, Indio had been entering his teen years.
Susan Downey didn’t pretend to be a ‘big family right away’
During a 2009 interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Susan opened up about the early days of her life as a step-mom. She admitted it hadn’t been easy, saying, “With stepkids, it’s hard at first.”
She continued, explaining how she went about becoming a step-parent.
“But, like anything, my approach was to just be honest about it and not try and force anything — not act like we were a big family right away,” she said.
The strategy worked. Now, things are good between Susan and her step-son.
“What’s come from that is a really great relationship with Indio, because I didn’t try to make it into something it wasn’t … until one day, it was,” she said.
Indio later appeared in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, the second movie Downey Jr. and Susan worked on together. Five years after Susan’s interview, Indio made headlines following an arrest for cocaine possession. Downey Jr. convinced Indio to go to rehab and eventually the charges against Indio were dismissed.
“There is a lot of family support and understanding, and we’re all determined to rally behind him and help him become the man he’s capable of being,” Downey said, according to Us Weekly.
Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey have 2 children together
When Susan spoke with Harper’s Bazaar, she told the publication she and Downey Jr. didn’t have “specific plans” when it came to having kids. Fast-forward a few years to 2012 and the couple welcomed a son, Exton. Then in 2014, they became parents again. This time to a daughter named Avri.
Here’s hoping we get to see the Dolittle star work with Susan and all three of his kids on a movie in the future!
