Robert Downey Jr. Reflects on Rocky SNL Stint in New Docuseries

NEW YORK — Robert Downey Jr., the Oscar-winning actor known for his iconic role as Iron Man, recently opened up about his brief but formative stint on *Saturday Night Live* during its infamous 11th season in 1985-1986. The revelations come as part of the new four-part docuseries *SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night*, which explores the history and legacy of the iconic sketch comedy show.

Downey, now 59, joined the cast at just 20 years old, thanks to his friend and fellow cast member Michael Hall. “Michael Hall said to me, ‘I’m gonna go do SNL. I’m gonna get you an audition, and I bet you’re gonna get yourself on the show too,'” Downey recalled in the docuseries. Hall, who was 17 at the time, became the youngest cast member in SNL history.

Despite the excitement of joining the show, Downey described the experience as a learning curve. “I learned so much in that year about what I wasn’t. But there’s not a more exciting 90 minutes you could have, whether you are any good or not,” he said.

Season 11, which also featured future comedy stars like Damon Wayans, Joan Cusack, and Jon Lovitz, is widely regarded as one of the show’s weakest. Creator Lorne Michaels admitted in the docuseries that his attempt to refresh the cast by going younger may have been a misstep. “I wanted to go younger. I perhaps went too young, but I wanted to go younger. The Baby Boomer generation had dominated the show for 10 years, so I decided to clean house,” Michaels said.

Hall, reflecting on his own experience, acknowledged the challenges of being a teenage cast member. “When I look back, I have some memories of it being difficult,” he said. “I think, for a lot of the writers to figure out how to write for this kid, it was a big challenge.”

Despite the rocky season, Downey’s career flourished. He went on to become one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, thanks in part to his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His wife, film producer Susan Downey, highlighted his generosity toward up-and-coming actors. “If he sees a performance he likes, he will go out of his way to get ahold of that person, especially anyone young and up-and-coming,” she said. “If he knows somebody struggling, he’ll reach out.”

*SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night* is currently streaming on Peacock, offering fans an in-depth look at the show’s 50-year history. The docuseries also sets the stage for *SNL50: The Anniversary Special*, which will air on NBC and Peacock on Feb. 16, 2025.