Robert Downey Jr. Pardoned for '90s Drug and Weapon Offenses by California Governor Jerry Brown

The decision was handed down on Christmas Eve

By Corinne Heller Dec 24, 2015 9:38 PMTags
Robert Downey, Jr.RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

It'll be a very happy holiday for Robert Downey Jr. and his family.

California Governor Jerry Brown has pardoned the 50-year-old Iron Man and The Avengers star for his '90s drug and weapon convictions.

Downey is one of 91 people pardoned on Thursday, Christmas Eve, many of who also served time for crimes related to substance abuse. The decision was made following a request for clemency.

In November 1996, the actor was sentenced for possession of a controlled substance, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle with a prior conviction, driving under the influence with priors and use of under the influence of a controlled substance. He served one year and three months in prison and two years and eight months of probation. He was released from jail in December 2002.

The pardon states Downey "obtained from the Superior Court of the State of California in and for the County of Los Angeles an order dated Oct. 20, 2015, evidencing that since his release from custody, he has lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character and conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen."

It also says the actor has "paid his debt to society and earned a full and unconditional pardon."

Downey underwent rehab for substance abuse in the '90s. After his release from jail, he made a huge career comeback. He starred in Gothika and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and later landed his breakout role as the title character in Iron Man, a part he has reprised in five more movies, including both Avengers movies. They have made him a multi-millionaire.

Downey also landed a second Oscar nomination for his role in Tropic Thunder and found success with the Sherlock Holmes movies. He also heads his own production company.

In 2005, he married his wife Susan Downey, a producer. They are parents to son Exton, 3, and daughter Avri, 1.

Downey's criminal past has come back to haunt him at times. This past April, the actor walked out of an on-camera interview with a British journalist after the man asked him about his "dark periods" involving "drugs and drinking and all of that."

Ricky Gervais had famously poked fun at the actor while hosting the 2011 Golden Globe Awards, saying, "many of you in this room probably know him best from such facilities as the Betty Ford Clinic and Los Angeles County Jail."

Watch: Susan and Robert Downey Jr. Shine at "Judge" Red Carpet