Hollywood icon Robert Downey Jr. was honored with the prestigious Maltin Modern Master Award during the 2024 Santa Barbara Film Festival. The accolade, named after renowned film historian Leonard Maltin, was established in 1995 to recognize individuals who have significantly contributed to the cultural landscape through their achievements in the motion picture industry, as reported by PEOPLE.
Expressing his gratitude on stage, Downey Jr. thanked the audience and paid homage to Maltin, acknowledging his multifaceted contributions as a scholar, writer, critic, and host. He emphasized the significance of Maltin’s approval in his speech.
The actor then praised fellow actor Rob Lowe for his impactful speech, describing Lowe as someone who has been an inspiration in his life. Downey Jr. appreciated Lowe’s advice on personal growth, fatherhood, and professionalism in the entertainment industry.
Acknowledging his ‘Oppenheimer’ co-star Cillian Murphy, Downey Jr. commended Murphy’s unique approach to his craft, describing him as a “force of nature.” The actor also expressed gratitude to his agents and humorously mentioned their shared experience of getting matching pajamas for the festival.
In his closing remarks, Downey Jr. dedicated a special message to his wife, Susan Downey, expressing his gratitude and admiration for her constant support. The article also mentioned Sterling K Brown’s prediction of Downey Jr.’s potential win at the 2024 Oscars.
During the event, Leonard Maltin joined Downey Jr. on stage for a conversation that delved into the actor’s illustrious five-decade career. The discussion covered Downey Jr.’s Oscar nominations for films such as ‘Chaplin’ (1992) and ‘Tropic Thunder’ (2008), as well as the anticipation surrounding his role in ‘Oppenheimer’ at the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony on March 10, according to PEOPLE.
