Robert Downey Jr’s acting honour

Robert Downey Jr. has been honoured for his “versatility” as an actor. The ‘Iron Man’ star received the Gene Siskel Film Center’s Renaissance Award at a gala reception at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Chicago on Saturday (19.06.10) in recognition of his contribution to cinema.

The organisation said they gave the 45-year-old star the accolade because he is one of the most respected and versatile actors of his generation.”

Reflecting on his career, Downey – who has a history of alcohol and drug addiction – singled out ‘Tropic Thunder’, ‘Sherlock Holmes’ and ‘Iron Man’ as his favourite movies of his own.

He said: “Those three movies are the most representative of my work.

“I’m just glad that I didn’t cheese out and phone in a performance on films that did so well.”

The ‘Chaplin’ star also admitted he has finally moved on from the addiction struggles that blighted his career between 1996 and 2003.

He added: “I don’t really think about it much anymore.

“I used to think, ‘Everywhere I look, there are all of these issues. I need some dope,’ But having a gargantuan hangover is not a great feeling.”