Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. came to attention in 1987 in Less Than Zero, followed by Chances Are and Air America, where he became friends on set with Mel Gibson. In 1993, he took home the Oscar for Best Actor for Chaplin. But then substance abuse and legal troubles interrupted his career. He did time in rehab, followed by a recurring role on the TV series Ally McBeal, but was fired after two more drug arrests. This time rehab helped him achieve sobriety. Then Mel Gibson kick-started his career, offering him a role in a film called The Singing Detective. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Gothika and Sherlock Holmes came next, but producer Joel Silver withheld 40 per cent of his salary until production had wrapped as insurance. Since being cast as Tony Stark/Iron Man in Marvel films, the hits just keep on coming.