<P> Downey Jr. 's career prospects improved when he featured in the mystery thriller Zodiac ( 2007 ) , and the satirical action comedy Tropic Thunder ( 2008 ) ; for the latter he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor . Beginning in 2008 , Downey began portraying the role of Marvel Comics superhero Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe , appearing in several films as either the lead role , member of an ensemble cast , or in a cameo . Each of these films , with the exception of The Incredible Hulk , has grossed over $500 million at the box office worldwide ; four of these -- The Avengers , Avengers : Age of Ultron , Iron Man 3 and Captain America : Civil War -- earned over $1 billion . Downey Jr. has also played the title character in Guy Ritchie 's Sherlock Holmes ( 2009 ) and its sequel ( 2011 ) . </P>
<P> Downey Jr. 's career prospects improved when he featured in the mystery thriller Zodiac ( 2007 ) , and the satirical action comedy Tropic Thunder ( 2008 ) ; for the latter he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor . Beginning in 2008 , Downey began portraying the role of Marvel Comics superhero Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe , appearing in several films as either the lead role , member of an ensemble cast , or in a cameo . Each of these films , with the exception of The Incredible Hulk , has grossed over $500 million at the box office worldwide ; four of these -- The Avengers , Avengers : Age of Ultron , Iron Man 3 and Captain America : Civil War -- earned over $1 billion . Downey Jr. has also played the title character in Guy Ritchie 's Sherlock Holmes ( 2009 ) and its sequel ( 2011 ) . </P>
who is the actor who plays iron man
who is the actor who plays iron man
Downey Jr.
Downey Jr.