It’s going to be a very merry Christmas Celebration for The Avengers star, Robert Downey Jr. The man inside the iron suit in the blockbuster Marvel comic movie, Iron Man, was one of ninety-one people granted pardon for their criminal convictions by California Governor, Jerry Brown. The pardon was obtained on the grounds that the convicts had rehabilitated themselves.
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Downey obtained his pardon following a judge issuing him a Certificate of Rehabilitation. According to the Governor’s proclamation, Robert Downey Jr. had “lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character, and conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen,” also stating that he “has paid his debt to society and earned a full and unconditional pardon.”
In the late 1990’s, the Oscar-nominated actor bagged a 20 year felony drug conviction that sent him to jail for a year. In June of 1996, he was found with and cocaine, heroin and a pistol in his vehicle after being stopped over by authorities for speeding.
The actor has now become a poster child for drug addiction rehabilitation especially following his rocky, troubled past and numerous courthouse appearances for a series of drug-related arrests which eventually culminated in his incarceration.
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However, the pardon seems to now provide Downey with a fresh start and a new lease on life. Although the pardon does not erase records of Downey’s conviction, it restores his voting rights and is also a public proclamation that he has remained out of trouble and demonstrated “exemplary behaviour”.
The two-time Oscar nominee plays the man in the iron suit in a series of Disney/Marvel movies, Iron Man and The Avengers. He also stole the hearts of fans worldwide as the famous literary detective, Sherlock Holmes.
The fifty year-old actor has turned his life around in a drastic way that is not always seen on the Hollywood scene. A true embodiment of what it means to make good use of one’s second chance.
Needless to say, there is a lot for the star to be thankful for on this year’s Christmas celebration. Let’s just hope he celebrates his early Christmas present wisely and does not forget to party within the statutes of the law this time.