Robert Downey Sr., the accomplished countercultural filmmaker, actor and father of superstar Robert Downey Jr., has died. Downey Jr. wrote on Instagram that his father died late Tuesday in his sleep at home in New York. "He was a true maverick filmmaker, and remained remarkably optimistic throughout," Downey Jr. wrote. His son, Robert Downey Jr., daughter Allyson Downey and first wife Elsie Downey also appeared in Greaser's Palace. Born in New York City in 1936 as Robert Elias Jr., he later changed his surname to Downey — his stepfather's name — in order to enlist in the army early.

Source: CBC News July 07, 2021 18:40 UTC