Robert Downey Jr. stopped by the Late Show with David Letterman on Monday to promote his new movie Due Date (correction: to let Letterman, who loved it, promote it), and the conversation naturally turned to Charlie Sheen. Actually, Letterman did a rather abrupt segue after Downey finished explaining how he once felt like “John Savage in The Deer Hunter” at a paintball birthday party for one of his son’s friends. “Do you know Charlie Sheen? You guys are contemporaries, aren’t ya?” Letterman asked, as the audience laughed. “We were in high school together. We didn’t really hang out,” Downey answered. “I mean, it sounds like we could have really partied.”
Letterman wanted to know if Downey felt a responsibility to talk to Sheen, as someone who’s turned his life around. Downey seemed a bit uncomfortable at the suggestion, and tried to address it with humor first: “He’s a grown man … What am I gonna say? … The only advice I would give him is, you know, don’t get arrested.” Letterman wanted a serious answer. He said Downey is the guy who could call up anyone and say you’ve got two ways to go: Continue to do it your way, or, look what I did. Downey again opted for humor first, saying if he believed his own hype and started thinking that people need to listen to him, his wife would be miserable and his director would think he’s crazy. But then, he spoke from the heart: “I think the best thing I can do is just keep the plug in the jug myself and stay out of trouble.” Letterman finally agreed that leading by example was a better course of action and was prepared to change topics. Downey interrupted him: “I mean, it would have been fun to be partying with him in the Plaza, probably … but not fun, not fun,” he joked. Watch the interview below.
Letterman and Downey never disappoint: They spent nearly five minutes talking about the horses Jamie Foxx gave Downey for his 45th birthday (and Letterman’s theory about how horses want to kill their riders). They also discussed how Downey thought his Due Date costar Zach Galifianakis was a homeless person when they ran into each other before production began, as well as how Downey, who’s now filming the Sherlock Holmes sequel and has studied kung fu years, would kill Letterman.
Downey on Charlie Sheen:
The full interview:
Downey’s right. Charlie Sheen is a grown man who needs to get his act together.
I think Downey answered this perfectly.
It’d be pretty presumptuous of him to call someone and be like, “This is what you need to do.” Especially someone he doesn’t know that well.
The more important point is that, even though he’s enjoying incredible success and he looks fantastic, it’s easy to forget that Downey’s demons is probably something he grapples with every single day. It’s not like he ingested some sort of cure that he can now pass on to the next troubled celeb.
Exactly. RDJ answered this question perfectly. I read an interview of him where he was refreshingly frank, and admitted that it is something he deals with everyday; he also said over and over that his wife and his son are what keeps him going. He seems like such a sweet, amazing guy.
Couldn’t have said it better.
Charlie Sheen has to take the first step and want help.
No, he does not have that responsibility. I love his “keep the plug in the jug myself” line. Some people are strong enough to help others with their addiction problems, but I do not think that Downey is one of them. His problems were too deep and too recent. Charlie has to pull himself up by his big boy pants and get it together himself.
The other thing to consider is this — not everyone in Hollywood is best friends with each other. Downey and Sheen are acquaintances, “friendly” but not friends. It’d be like if I called my brother’s brother-in-law to encourage him to quit drinking. Not my place.
I agree with all of the comments before me. I’d also like to throw out the fact that just because Downey quit his addictions wasn’t the only reason he is the success story he is today. The man can act. Sheen on the other hand…
That’s a good point. It would be hard for Sheen to make a comeback because he’s never had any talent to be here in the first place.
Really true–Charlie Sheen has his things he can do, but Hollywood was always willing to give Downey another chance because everyone knew that when he had together, he was one of the most talented actors in the business. I mean, have you ever seen “Chaplin?” Great performance in an awful movie.
I just saw Chaplin last night. I thought it was great, especially RDJ, but the entire thing was great.
Actually, if I’m not mistaking, Downey didn’t back up until he was sentenced to one year of jailtime. Some people just got to hit the rock bottom. With $ 1 million per episode on a top rated show, it gotta be hard to hear that wake up call.
You are correct. Downey spent some time in jail and after he came out, that is when he got his act together. For Charlie – I am so disappointed in him. He literally has it all – a family that cares about him, kids who adore him, a hit TV series where as I understand he is well liked on the set, is professional, comes to work on time; he has lots of money and most of all – an ex wife who obviously is trying to stay by his side for the sake of their daughters. What is going to make this man wake up already?
Martin Sheen was a well publicized alcoholic. Not that that explains Charlie’s behavior, it just adds to it.
Charlie Sheen will never grow up. That being said, if he wants to act juvenile his whole life, that’s up to him. RD said it: he’s a grown up and is responsible for his own actions.
That’s really what helped RDJ so much- he ADMITTED he had a problem and took responsibility. If only every troubled star could do the same.
agreed. Does Letterman call every cheating husband in hollywood and tell them to stop? If/when Sheen is ready to take control of his life he needs to be the one to reach out. You can lead a horse to water and all that….
I agree with everything that’s been said previously but would like to add that there haven’t appeared to be any serious reprecussions for his behavior. Is it really hitting rock bottom if your network is still willing to throw millions at you despite your repeated bad behavior? What reason does he really have to alter his behavior if everyone is willing to put up with it?
This is strange. When things like this happen to celebrities they almost always lose advertisements or shows/movies. I do think Sheen lost the Hanes advertisement – or did he? Not sure.
But c’mon CBS, does this guy have to kill someone or get killed for you guys to make a statement about his behavior. He did choke his wife – or allegedly he did.
Yeah, this makes me furious. I know it’s all about the $$$, but no one really seems to mind that this guy never, ever, EVER has a consequence!
Very true. Most people have to hit rock bottom before they really take steps to turn their lives around, but he really HASN’T hit rock bottom yet because he hasn’t lost anything.
I seriously love this guy. Articulate, funny, and a great actor. Most importantly, he’s humble.
Charlie Sheen needs help, this is obvious. I won’t support his show until he gets help. No more 2 and a half men for me. GET HELP, YOU HAVE A PROBLEM.
Robert Downey Junior, when drunk/on drugs was never violent towards women. Robert was only destructive towards himself. Robert lost jobs due to his addiction (got fired from Ally McBeal) but as of yet, CBS has done squat. Also Robert had a very very strong group of friends around him. Like him or loathe him Sean Penn kicked down Robert’s door and dragged him to rehab. Martin Sheen can do so much helping his son. Like one of the posters said, Robert will always have an addiction but the difference, he chooses to fight his demons, Charlie chooses to have cake & ice cream with them.
I was thinking the same thing about the issue of violence towards women. I’m not so sure they share the same demons.
I think you mean Charlie choses to have coke and ice cream with them.
@Belle: Completely agree with you! Martin Sheen has tried a few times to help his son, publicly and who knows how many countless times, privately. Charlie CHOOSES to follow this road of destruction. And for the life of me, I can’t understand why CBS chooses to let him continue on. Whether it’s for the ratings of their #1 show (or WHATEVER reason they have for letting him continue on as he has over the past couple of years!) Charlie Sheen has to choose for himself and his children (if he’s even thinking about them!) when to give up this pathetic facade with booze and drugs that will only end with his death if he continues on the path! I love the actor and his work but this has gone beyond ridiculous, now! And as for Robert Downey Jr.? His explanation rung completely true and loud on Letterman last night regarding himself. The guy has got to want to do this for himself and his children if he wishes to see them grow up.
love Robert!
I am tired of people constantly pressuring Robert to become Dr. Phil for every misbehaving celebrity. The man overcame almost impossible odds to recover his career. Leave him alone and let him talk about the new projects that interest us. I don’t believe that he has any obligation to counsel anybody. If he chooses to speak with his friends, he can do that privately.