Are There Any Interviews With Robert Greene About Mastery?

Growing up, I was enthralled by Robert Downey Jr.'s journey in Hollywood. Did you know he started acting at just five years old? Talk about getting a head start! His childhood was filled with artsy family vibes since his dad was a filmmaker, and I can’t help but wonder how that influenced his creative path. Fast forward to the '80s, he was already a young star in movies like 'The Pick-up Artist.' It's astonishing that he was able to dive into such diverse roles at such a young age. What blows my mind even more is his tumultuous relationship with substances. It’s like watching a real-life superhero facing off with his inner demons. He spent time in rehab multiple times, and you’d think that would be the end of his career, but he came back stronger—how? This comeback led to iconic roles like Tony Stark in 'Iron Man', turning him into a global icon. There’s something deeply inspiring about someone rising from the ashes like that and redefining themselves. And here’s a fun nugget: he was nominated for an Oscar for 'Chaplin'. I mean, the range of talent there is simply impressive. It's hard to believe that such a layered actor faced so many challenges behind the scenes, but that’s part of what keeps me rooting for him! His story has it all: struggle, redemption, and a flair for the dramatic. It's a real-life superhero tale!

Robert Downey Jr. has had quite an extraordinary journey, both in his personal life and career. Many fans know him as Iron Man, but few realize that he was actually born into an artistic family; his father was a filmmaker. This early immersion in the arts clearly shaped his future. During the ‘90s, he struggled with substance abuse, even admitting to using drugs on the set of 'Ally McBeal.' This led him to a series of legal troubles, ultimately changing his life around after a long struggle with addiction. It’s truly inspirational to see how he was able to rise from those depths, and he often credits his family, particularly his wife Susan, for being his rock during tough times. Another fascinating tidbit is that RDJ is a bit of a tech geek! He has a keen interest in artificial intelligence and even created his own AI to help his preparation for roles. It’s amazing how he combines his love for innovation with his craft. His unique approach to acting and his willingness to embrace new technology makes him stand out in Hollywood. And who knew he was so savvy behind the scenes?

Robert Downey Jr. is such a multifaceted actor, and digging into his life really sheds light on his work. One standout fact that inspires his roles is his tumultuous journey with addiction and recovery. It’s compelling how he turned his personal struggles into a powerful narrative in films like 'Iron Man,' where Tony Stark battles his own demons, much like Downey did in reality. This adds such a rich depth to his performance—nobody plays flawed heroes like he does! Additionally, his upbringing in a creative family, with his father being a filmmaker, sparked his passion for acting. It’s apparent that those formative experiences shaped his unique style and authenticity. I think knowing he was acting from a young age gives his roles an inbuilt tenacity that’s hard to overlook. Another neat tidbit? His intense method acting adds layers; he could totally give Stanislavski a run for his money! The way he immerses himself in characters is just inspiring. Some folks see him as just a superhero now, but he’s so much more than that. His career’s evolution mirrors a classic redemption arc that’s universally relatable, making it hard not to root for him in every role he picks.

Robert Downey Jr. has delivered so many hilarious moments throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe that it’s nearly impossible to narrow them down to just a few! A standout has to be from 'Iron Man 2', where Tony Stark drunkenly dons the Iron Man suit for the first time in front of the crowd at Monaco. Watching him stumble through the fight, while maintaining that classic Stark charm, was comedy gold! His banter with Rhodey is also pure magic as they both navigate the chaos. Plus, that iconic line where he says, ‘I’m not sure I should be leaving the children in your care,’ had me in stitches! Another memorable scene is in 'Avengers: Age of Ultron'. The way he interacts with the rest of the Avengers while trying to lift Thor's hammer is comedy brilliance. You can see how smug he is, attempting to impress everyone with his confidence before the moment gets incredibly awkward for him. It just showcases his ability to mix charm with a touch of absurdity. Also, who can forget his lovable yet cringeworthy one-liners during 'Avengers: Endgame'? That ‘I love you 3000’ scene, while touching, also benefits from Downey's knack for flippant humor mixed with deep emotion. He can switch from hilarious to heartfelt in an instant! In terms of sheer ridiculousness, you've got to love Tony’s antics in 'The Avengers' during the infamous ‘I have an army’ moment. Directly mocking Loki with that brilliant: ‘We have a Hulk’ line just captures his over-the-top personality and comedic timing to perfection. Overall, whether he’s cracking jokes or pulling off mind-boggling stunts, RDJ’s performance is a highlight in every scene he's involved in, making the MCU not just thrilling but incredibly amusing as well!

There’s something almost cinematic about the way Robert Evans picked up 'The Godfather' for Paramount—like a producer’s version of stalking the perfect prop. I first heard the story while nursing a late-night coffee and watching a documentary about studio era dealmaking; since then it’s one of those Hollywood myths I love repeating to friends. Evans was running Paramount’s production at the time and had an eye for manuscripts and projects that could become cultural monsters. He read Mario Puzo’s manuscript and, sensing the book’s raw, combustible energy, moved quickly to secure the movie rights before the publishing world fully understood what Puzo had written. Evans didn’t act like a timid suit. He bought the rights—privately and decisively—and then used his clout to push the studio into actually making the movie. That involved more than signing a contract: he had to sell the concept to executives who worried about glamorizing organized crime, negotiate Puzo’s involvement as a co-writer, and then fight for a director who would respect the material. His championing of Francis Ford Coppola (a choice that made many at the studio nervous) and his willingness to back unconventional casting choices were crucial. Evans leveraged relationships, timing, and a taste for risk. I always picture Evans as that person in a bar who, after one sip, knows which band will sell out stadiums. He bet on a gritty, literary story about family and power, turned it into a film with a distinct voice, and survived the internal studio pushback. Watching 'The Godfather' now, I can’t help but think about the chain of gutsy moves—starting with the rights purchase—that led to its creation.

I've been hunting down Robert Evans documentaries off and on for years, and if you want the quickest route to actually watching something, start with the one people always mention: 'The Kid Stays in the Picture'. I picked up a copy on Blu-ray a while back, but these days that film turns up in lots of places — sometimes available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV/iTunes, Google Play, or Vudu, and every few months it bounces onto a streaming service during a retrospective or director spotlight. If you don't want to pay per-view, check your local library apps first. I found 'The Kid Stays in the Picture' on Kanopy once using my library login, and friends have scored it on Hoopla. Those library-driven platforms are gold for older docs because they rotate holdings based on licensing deals with educational libraries. Another trick I use is going to JustWatch or Reelgood and searching 'Robert Evans' — those sites aggregate where titles are streaming, renting, or purchasable in your country so you don't waste time guessing. Beyond that, you can also find interviews and shorter documentary segments on YouTube and Vimeo. I like to hunt for longer oral-history clips or festival Q&As — sometimes a filmmaker will post extras. If you want physical extras or director commentary, keep an eye on used Blu-ray/DVD marketplaces like eBay or your local thrift store; I snagged a well-loved disc with an intro by the director for cheap once. Finally, if you follow film festival listings or Turner Classic Movies schedules, they sometimes air retrospective documentaries and companion pieces, so setting alerts there helps when availability shifts.

I love telling people about the weird little ways Hollywood changed the game, and Robert Evans is one of those characters who quietly rearranged the chessboard. When he ran production at Paramount he did more than greenlight movies like 'The Godfather', 'Love Story', and later produce 'Chinatown' — he turned how a studio talks about a movie into part of the movie itself. I always think of him as someone who understood that a movie isn't just a film reel; it's a conversation you start with the public long before the lights go down. Evans perfected packaging — attaching big names and a seductive story to a property before most studios even had a script. That strategy makes modern studios less scared to invest: if you can promise a bankable star, a hot director, and a clear brand, you can sell the project to theaters, press, and now streaming platforms. He also cultivated an image (you can read about that in 'The Kid Stays in the Picture') and used his own celebrity to promote films. That personal-brand-as-marketing move is everywhere now: producers and directors are PR actors, not just back-office suits. Beyond packaging, Evans loved spectacle. Premieres, glossy magazine placements, and gossip-column seeding were all part of the plan — basically early influencer marketing done with tuxedos and private planes. The lesson for today’s world of trailers, viral teases, Comic-Con panels, and curated Instagram moments is clear: make the story around the film as compelling as the film itself. I still find it fascinating (and a bit dangerous) how much reputation and myth can drive what audiences choose to see.

I still get a little buzz thinking about that press conference scene in 'Iron Man'. I was in a tiny theater with a friend who nudged me the instant Tony stepped up, and when Robert Downey Jr. dropped the line—"I am Iron Man"—the place went nuts. To me it felt less like a scripted reveal and more like a lived moment; the laugh, the wink, the swagger all sounded exactly like Downey riffing in that effortless way he does. Behind the scenes, people who worked on the movie—Jon Favreau among them—have said the moment was improvised. Favreau later talked about giving Downey room to play and let the last beat land organically. Downey himself has acknowledged that he brought some spontaneity to the delivery. There’s also a bit of mythmaking around whether early drafts already toyed with Tony revealing himself; regardless, the version in the movie carries that improvised energy, which made the line iconic. What I love about it is how it matches the character: Tony Stark would absolutely flip the script and make the reveal his own performance. That little bit of improv helped define the tone of the MCU—fun, self-aware, and anchored by character choices. Whenever I rewatch that first film I still smile; it feels like watching someone create lightning in a bottle on set, and it’s a big reason Tony became so memorable to me.