Robert Downey Jr birthday: 8 movies that prove he's more than just 'Iron Man'

In this biographical drama, RDJ plays the legendary silent film star Charlie Chaplin. The film follows Chaplin's rise to fame, his romantic relationships, and his struggles with the US government's persecution during the Red Scare. RDJ's performance earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
 

In this thriller based on the real-life Zodiac Killer case in the late 1960s and early 1970s, RDJ plays journalist Paul Avery who becomes obsessed with the case. The film is intense, suspenseful, and features an all-star cast including Jake Gyllenhaal and Mark Ruffalo.
 

RDJ delivers a hilarious (and controversial) performance as Kirk Lazarus, a method actor who undergoes a controversial skin pigmentation procedure to play an African-American character in a war movie. The film is a satirical take on Hollywood and features a star-studded cast including Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and Tom Cruise.
 

In this drama based on a true story, RDJ plays a journalist who befriends a homeless musician with schizophrenia (played by Jamie Foxx) and helps him pursue his dreams of becoming a professional cellist. The film is a heartwarming and poignant exploration of friendship and mental illness.
 

RDJ plays a petty thief who inadvertently becomes a Hollywood private eye in this neo-noir comedy. The film is witty, self-aware, and features a standout performance from Val Kilmer as his snarky partner.
 

RDJ brings his trademark charisma and wit to the role of the legendary literary detective Sherlock Holmes in this action-packed adventure. The film features impressive set pieces, a dynamic score, and an entertaining supporting performance from Jude Law as Dr Watson.
 

In this drama based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, RDJ plays a wealthy college student who returns home for Christmas break and gets caught up in the seedy world of drugs and debauchery. The film is a bleak and intense exploration of addiction and youth culture in the 1980s.
 

RDJ plays a drug addict in this animated sci-fi thriller set in a dystopian future. The film features a unique animation style and a standout performance from Keanu Reeves as an undercover cop trying to take down a drug ring.