Anthony Michael Hall has recalled being “there for” good friend Robert Downey Jr over the years.
Anthony Michael Hall was “there for” Robert Downey Jr. and used to visit him in prison.
The 58-year-old actor has reflected on his friendship with the Marvel star, who he worked with on Weird Science and Saturday Night Live, and opened up on how deep their bond runs.
He told Danielle Fishel’s Teen Beat podcast: “I’ve been there for him.
“Years ago when he was in trouble with the law, I spent a little time in the clink — so to speak — I went to visit him. We just have a long history together.”
Downey Jr, 61, has been candid about his previous struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, which led to a 1996 arrest on drug and weapon charges.
He was sentenced to three years in prison in 1999 over parole violations, and served a total of 15 months.
The Iron Man actor, who has been sober since 2003, had the convictions pardoned by then-California Governor Jerry Brown in December 2015.
Hall helped a 20-year-old Downey Jr. get an SNL audition in 1985, and they later worked together in Weird Science.
The Breakfast Club star said: “He’s always been a good friend, and I’m really proud of his success.”
Hall praised Downey Jr’s wife Susan as “instrumental in his great comeback”.
He added: “And he’s a great guy. Despite all the great success he’s had, he’s a very real, very down-to-earth guy.”
Hall has had his own struggles with fame “at a young age”, and he has been sober since 1990.
He explained: “It’s a pressure cooker of a situation, to have success at a young age. Because it puts you in a hot seat…
“It was challenging to navigate all that but you got to keep it moving, you got to keep moving forward in life, you know?
“I pride myself on that sense of tenacity and discipline it takes just to keep going, you know, in industry, because there’s no guarantees.”
Downey Jr and Hall both reflected on the SNL stint in last year’s SNL50: Beyond Second Saturday docuseries.
Downey Jr said: “Michael Hall said to me, ‘I’m gonna go do ‘SNL’. I’m gonna get you an audition and I bet you’re gonna get yourself on the show too.’ ”
Anthony joked he’s still waiting for his pal to “repay a favour” as a result.
He quipped: “I’m still waiting for that b****** to repay a favour, 40 years later. Come on Iron Man, you got it in ya.”
Anthony Michael Hall ‘spent a little time’ with Robert Downey Jr in prison
