Downey in 2010, photo via PR Photos
Birth Name: Robert John Downey, Jr.
Place of Birth: Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Birth: April 4, 1965
Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish (three eighths), English, Scottish, German, Swiss-German, Irish
Robert Downey, Jr. is an American actor, musician, and producer, also credited simply as Robert Downey. His roles include Tony Stark / Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, beginning with Iron Man (2008) and largely ending in Avengers: Endgame, the films Pound (1970), Firstborn, Weird Science, Back to School, Less than Zero, Johnny Be Good, True Believer, Chances Are, Soapdish, Chaplin (1992), Heart and Souls, Natural Born Killers, Only You, Richard III, Home for the Holidays, Restoration (1995), The Gingerbread Man, U.S. Marshals, In Dreams, Bowfinger, Wonder Boys, The Singing Detective, Gothika, Game 6, Good Night, and Good Luck., Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Zodiac, Charlie Bartlett, Tropic Thunder, The Soloist, Sherlock Holmes, and its sequel; Due Date, Chef, The Judge, Dolittle, and Oppenheimer; and television’s Ally McBeal.
Robert is the son of Elsie Ann (Ford), an actress, and director, writer, and actor Robert Downey, Sr. He spent his childhood mostly in Greenwich Village. He moved to Los Angeles, California, with his father after his parents’ divorce in 1978. His sister is actress Allyson Downey.
Robert’s father was of one half Lithuanian Jewish, one quarter Irish, and one quarter Hungarian Jewish, ancestry. Robert’s mother had Scottish, English, German, and Swiss-German ancestry. Robert’s father was born with the surname Elias, and later changed his surname to Downey, after his own stepfather. Robert is married to producer Susan Levin Downey; the two married in a Jewish ceremony (Susan is Jewish). Robert has a son with his former wife, singer and actress Deborah Falconer; and two children with Susan.
Robert’s paternal grandfather was Robert R. Elias (the son of Yosef/Joseph/Iosel W. Elias/Eliashovich and Golda/Gussie/Augusta Goldberg). Robert’s grandfather Robert Elias was born in New York. Yosef and Golda were Jewish emigrants, from Lithuania, Yosef from Jonava and Golda from Prienai/Pren. Yosef was the son of Meyer Eliasovitz/Elias/Eliashovich and Bealia/Beylia Cohen. Golda was the daughter of Moses Chies “Morris” Goldberg and Khala/Khaia/Chala Gitel “Ida” Algaze/Algazy.
Robert’s paternal grandmother was Elizabeth Jesse “Betty” McLoughlin/McLauchlen (the daughter of James Robert McLauchlen and Ellenore/Eleanor “Ella” Ormay). Elizabeth, who was a model, was born in New York. Robert’s great-grandfather James was born in Massachusetts, to parents from Canada, John Robert McLauchlen, from New Brunswick, and Jessie Murray, from Nova Scotia, and had Irish ancestry. Robert’s great-grandmother Ellenore was Jewish, and was born in Hungary, the daughter of Rudolph Ormay and Ilke/Ilka Helen Stern. Rudolph’s parents were Herman Ormay and Elizabeth Heiman. Ilke’s parents were Rudolf Stern and Ilke Rosisatier.
Robert’s maternal grandfather was named John Webster “Eddie” Ford (the son of John Ford and Mary). Robert’s grandfather John had Scottish and English ancestry.
Robert’s maternal grandmother was Fay/Faye Marguerite Schoch (the daughter of Cyrus A. Schoch and Elsie May Peightal). Faye was born in Pennsylvania. Cyrus was the son of Henry Lewis Schoch, who was from Bavaria, Germany, and of Catherine/Katherine Schucker, who was also of German origin. Elsie was the daughter of James Peightal and Sarah Ann, who were of German and Swiss-German descent.
Downey in 1990, photo credit: Alan Light
Sources: Genealogy of Robert Downey, Jr. – https://www.geni.com
Family history of Robert’s paternal grandfather, Robert R. Elias – http://www.248ancestors.com
Robert’s paternal grandfather, Robert R. Elias, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Robert’s paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Jesse “Betty” McLoughlin/McLauchlen, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Death record of Robert’s paternal great-great-grandfather, Rudolph Ormay – https://www.familysearch.org
Death record of Robert’s paternal great-great-grandmother, Ilke/Ilka Helen (Stern) Ormay – https://www.familysearch.org
Robert’s maternal grandmother, Fay/Faye Marguerite Schoch, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Interview with Robert, mentioning his background – http://www.nytimes.com
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