The 'Iron Man' actor takes to Facebook to share sad news that his beloved mother Elsie passed away on Monday, September 22 at the age of 80.
- Sep 27, 2014
AceShowbiz - Robert Downey Jr. has penned a heartfelt tribute to his mother Elsie who passed away on Monday, September 22. The actor, who is gearing up for the promotional activities for his new movie "The Judge", took to Facebook on Friday, September 26 to share a touching post detailing his mother's life story, including her struggles as an actress and battle with alcohol.
The "Iron Man" actor started the post by talking about Elsie's family and her engagement to his father, filmmaker Robert Downey Sr., at a Yankees/Orioles game. "By the mid '70s, the downside of drug culture caught up with many artists. She was an alcoholic. As the marriage suffered, she continued to work, but not for long. A recurring role on 'Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman' ('76-'77) was her last paying job...not that she cared, she'd have done it for free."
Elsie sought treatment in 1990 and stayed sober. "While I strived to have the kind of success that eluded her, my own addiction repeatedly forbade it. In the summer of 2004, I was in bad shape. She called me out of the blue, and I admitted everything. I don't remember what she said, but I haven't drank or used since," he wrote.
His mother later moved to L.A. and enjoyed her time with his family despite health problems. "Many fond memories of her in the last few years...holidays, kid-stuff, her strutting around with a walking stick. I knew it was difficult, and understood as the visits got shorter," he added.
"She was my role model as an actor, and as a woman who got sober and stayed that way. She was also reclusive, self-deprecating, a stoic Scotch-German rural Pennsylvanian, a ball buster, stubborn, and happy to hold a grudge. My ambition, tenacity, loyalty, 'moods,' grandiosity, occasional passive aggression, and my faith.... That's all her...and I wouldn't have it any other way. If anyone out there has a mother, and she's not perfect, please call her and say you love her anyway...," he concluded.
