Robert Downey Jr. opened up about what he called the “worst thing” that ever happened to him — and that was the year he spent behind bars in 1999 in connection with a DUI arrest while in possession of cocaine.
During the 58-year-old actor’s appearance on Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast, the “Iron Man” star talked about his former substance abuse issues and being “over-sentenced by an angry judge” who sent him to North Kern State Prison in Delano, California, the Hollywood Reporter reported. It came after the star failed to appear at several court-ordered drug tests tied to the cocaine possession charge.
“Two weeks later, I’m in a place called Delano, which is a receiving center where they decide where you’re going to go. Arguably the most dangerous place I’ve ever been in my life because nobody is designated,” Downey said. “If they’re a level 1, 2, 3 or 4 criminal, [everyone’s there]. You could just feel the evil in the air.”
Robert Downey Jr. describes year in jail, says you could 'feel the evil in the air' https://t.co/XJ0YufUDM2
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“It was kind of like just being in a really bad neighborhood, and there was no opportunity there; there was only threats,” he added. “So, yes, everyone is going to take your wallet, so watch it.”
“Walking onto the yard that you’re gonna be doing more than a year on for the first time, the closest thing I can associate it to is being sent to a distant planet where there is no way home until the planets align …” Downey continued.
The Marvel star also explained how he survived the experience.
“We are programmed to within a short amount of time be able to adjust to things that are seemingly impossible,” the star said. “And for me, there’s worse things that could have happened than being sent to an institution, for sure. However, we can only go by what we know, and I would imagine if I had to guess, that was the worst thing that happened to me.”
In 1999, Downey was sentenced to spend three years in the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison after he missed several court-ordered drug tests tied to his arrest. In 1996, Downey was arrested for driving under the influence where police found he was in possession of heroin, cocaine, crack, and a .357 Magnum, Fox News noted.
He ended up only serving a year, after getting early release in 2000 on the condition of posting bail, THR noted.