Robert Downey Jr. Walks Out of Interview When Asked About Past "Dark Periods" Involving Drugs and Alcohol

Avengers: Age of Ultron star is less than amused when Krishnan Guru-Murthy grills him on his past

By Rebecca Macatee Apr 22, 2015 7:24 PMTags
Robert Downey Jr, Walks out of InterviewChannel 4 News

While promoting Avengers: Age of Ultron in London, Robert Downey Jr. was expecting to talk all things Tony Stark—he was not there to discuss his past personal struggles.

So when Channel 4 News' Krishnan Guru-Murthy began hesitantly asking the 50-year-old actor about "the dark periods you went to...taking drugs and drinking and all of that," things took an awkward turn for the worse.

"I just wondered whether you're free of all that," the interviewer continued as Downey began to appear visibly uncomfortable. "...or whether's you think that's still — "  

"I'm sorry," the actor interjected. "I really don't—what are we doing?"  

"Well, I'm just asking questions. That's all," stammered Guru-Murthy.

Off-camera, a female voice (presumably a publicist) can be heard saying a curt, "OK." At this point, Downey promptly says "bye," waves, and stands up to walk away from the interview,.

"I'm sorry," said Guru-Muthy, holding up his hands.

"It's OK," answered Downey, removing his mic to return to the production staff. "It's just getting a bit Diane Sawyer..."

Presumably, he meant the movie junket chat had taken too personal of a turn. Guru-Muthy seemed flustered by the flubbed interview, but that didn't stop him from giggling.

It's not the first time a big name has walked out on the British journalist either—back in 2013, Quentin Tarantino told Guru-Muthy, "I'm shutting your butt down" when he was asked "why he's so sure there is no link between enjoying movie violence and enjoying real violence."

Tarantino reacted in a much bigger way than Downey did, though, ultimately going on a lengthy rant at Guru-Muthy.

Back to Iron Man, though! Don't feel too bad for him—one awkward interview's not enough to rattle RDJ.  Later in the day, he tweeted a clip showing "Asgardian micro-journalism at its finest"—aka a little boy dressed as Thor asking the questions!

Avengers: Age of Ultron hits theaters May 1.