- Robert Downey Jr. spent time in California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison for drug abuse and was arrested numerous times between 1996 and 2001
- Has very publicly turned his life around and is now one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood
- Was promoting Avengers: Age of Ultron for interview with Channel 4 in UK
- Stormed off after interviewer Krishnan Guru-Murthy asked about drugs and his relationship with his father
- Downey Jr.'s son Indio was arrested for drug possession last June
Hollywood star Robert Downey Jnr stormed out of a TV interview when asked about his history of drug abuse and time in prison.
The actor was furious when the line of questioning suddenly got personal in a recorded chat with Channel 4 in London to promote his new film Avengers: Age of Ultron.
He had been on good form when the exchange started - in which, as arranged, he would discuss his experiences on the new blockbuster which premiered in Britain on Tuesday.
But he could be seen getting visibly uncomfortable when interviewer Krishnan Guru-Murthy began asking about his long-conquered personal demons.
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Calling time: During an interview for Avengers: Age of Ultron, Robert Downey Jnr left mid-way through
He's off: When asked about his relationship with his father, Downey Jnr gets up and says: 'I'm sorry, ! I really don't... what are we doing?' before walking out
'It's all getting very Diane Sawyer in here': Robert clearly didn't appreciate the line of questioning
Didn't go according to plan, Krishnan? The Channel 4 news presenter was left visibly embarrassed
Specifically, the news anchor asked Downey Jr to explain a comment in a five year-old interview with the New York Times, in which he said: 'You can't go from a $2,000-a-night suite at La Mirage to a penitentiary and really understand it and come out a liberal.'
Responding, Downey Jr, 50, said: 'I could pick that apart for two hours and be no closer to the truth than giving you some half-arsed answer right now. I couldn't even tell you what a liberal is.'
But, when asked about his relationship with his father, Downey Jnr gets up and says: 'I'm sorry, I really don't... what are we doing?' before walking out of the interview.
Seemingly amused with the reaction, Guru-Murthy can be seen smiling and gesticulating as a production team-member tried to remove Robert's clip-on microphone.
At that point he turns and says: 'It's all getting a bit Diane Sawyer [a U.S. journalist known for her investigative interviewing].'
Off to a good start: Downey Jr was charming as the exchange started - in which, as arranged, he would discuss his experiences on the new blockbuster, which premiered in London on Tuesday
Clearly wanting to keep a dignified silence on the matter, the veteran star - who originates from Manhattan and has battled both drug addiction and prison - resisted the temptation to make reference to the incident on Twitter.
Unlike hi! m, however, Krishnan twice shared details - captioning one video 'A steely moment from Ironman'.
But viewers weren't impressed, with nearly three-hundred 'disliking' it within hours.
Tellingly, the comments which followed shared a similar opinion.
One wrote: 'God, Krish you can be an a--. When your interviewee is uncomfortable, don't keep pressing them. Props to RDJ for ending it.'
Another simply said: 'No class at all.'
Downey Jr. had a period between 1996 and 2001 during which he was arrested multiple times - mostly for drug charges.
Getting personal: But when Guru-Murthy asked questions about his long-conquered personal demons, the star could be seen getting visibly uncomfortable
Not happy: The 50 year-old actor remained professional, but was clearly upset by the random questions
This dark phase in his life culminated in 1999 when he was sentenced to three years in prison for repeatedly missing drug testing! .
He spent a year in California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, before he was released in a surprise ruling.
He had one other arrest in 2001 for drug possession, but has maintained a studiously clean life since then.
He's mounted a massive career comeback, the crown jewel of which have been his massively successful role as egotistical billionaire superhero Tony Stark aka Iron Man. Over the course of four movies, he has grossed nearly $4billion in worldwide ticket sales.
The fifth movie featuring Iron Man, Avengers: Age of Ultron, promises to be yet another box office smash.
Forbes estimated that between June 2012 and June 2013 alone, he made more than $75million.
Troubled: Between 1996 and 2001, Downey Jr. had multiple run-ins with the law and several arrests on drug-related charges. He was sentenced to three years of prison, but ended up spending on a year
Last June, a 20-year-old Indio (seen here in 2007) was arrested on drug charges. His father blamed the genetic predisposition to drug abuse that seems to run in the family
Classy: Wanting to keep a dignified silence on the matter, the star - who originates from Manhattan - resisted the temptation to make reference to it on Twitter
Fighting fit: Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk
He has been praised by co-stars as a model of post-addiction focus and poise. In an interview to promote Sherlock Holmes, costar Rachel McAdams said that his efforts to stay clean are 'superheroic.'
He maintains he's been entirely sober since July 2003. In interviews, he credits meditation, yoga, 12-step recovery programs and the support of! his second wife, film producer Susan Downey.
Last June, his son Indio was arrested on felony drug charges. When he bailed his son out of jail, Downey Jr. seemed to blame himself for his son's fall.
'Unfortunately there's a genetic component to addiction and Indio has likely inherited it.,' he said.
Cast: Andy Serkis, Jeremy Renner, Paul Bettany, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chris Evans, Elizabeth Olsen, Robert Downey Jr and Mark Ruffalo attend the European premiere
Source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3051099/Robert-Downey-Jr-storms-Channel-4-interview-drug-questions.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
