Robert Downey Jr calls wife Susan his ‘leading lady’ in sweet 53rd birthday tribute
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Robert Downey Jr celebrated his wife Susan Downey’s 53rd birthday by sharing three sweet photographs of the couple holding hands in matching green Victor Von Doom-themed outfits from ‘Avengers: Doomsday’.
Alongside the photographs, Robert shared a heartfelt birthday message for his wife, whom he has been married to since 2005.
Robert Downey Jr shares sweet birthday tribute to wife Susan Downey
Susan turned 53 on Friday, November 6, with Robert marking the occasion through a special Instagram post. The photographs showed the couple dressed in matching green Victor Von Doom-themed gear for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ as they held hands. “HBD to my leading lady, hand in hand, now n 4 ever,” Robert wrote in the caption.
The couple first met in 2003 while working on the film ‘Gothika’, in which Robert starred and Susan served as a producer. They got engaged on November 5, 2003, just one day before Susan’s 30th birthday, before exchanging vows on August 27, 2005.
Since their marriage, Robert and Susan have welcomed two children together, Exton, 14, and Avri, who celebrated her 12th birthday on November 4. Robert is also father to his eldest son, Indio, 33, whom he shares with his former wife, Deborah Falconer.
The birthday tribute follows another public expression of affection during the couple’s 21st wedding anniversary celebrations in August. On August 27, Robert shared a photograph of two playing cards alongside an illustration of himself sitting beside Susan with his arm around her shoulders.
“Her to whom all is owed.. The great joy of being led on a path of righteous humility is mine,” he wrote. He also described Susan as “the lioness” and himself as “the adult cub”, celebrating 21 years with his “SuperBuddy”.
Robert Downey Jr. credits Susan Downey for supporting his personal and professional life
Robert has frequently acknowledged Susan’s influence on his life, including during major moments in his acting career. When he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2024 for his performance in ‘Oppenheimer’, he began his acceptance speech by joking, “I’d like to thank my terrible childhood and the Academy, in that order,” before turning his attention to his wife.
“I’d like to thank my veterinarian — I meant wife — Susan Downey over there,” he added. “She found me, a snarling rescue pet, and loved me back to life. That’s why I am here. Thank you.”
Following the ceremony, Robert also spoke to PEOPLE about how Susan helped him prepare for the Oscars. “Susan and I were trading anxiety level check-ins this morning,” he revealed, explaining that she offered feedback on what his acceptance speech should include or leave out despite not knowing exactly what he intended to say.
He added that everything worked out and he could tell she was not disappointed when he returned to his seat. Beyond their personal relationship, Robert and Susan also work together professionally through their production company, Team Downey.
The company produced Robert’s 2020 film ‘Doolittle’ and the 2022 documentary ‘Sr’, which explored the life of his father, Robert Downey Sr. In May, Robert told the Associated Press that Susan would “have the last word” on whether they would produce a third instalment in his popular ‘Sherlock Holmes’ film franchise.
