Robert Downey Jr. reflects on brief SNL role: "There's not a more exciting 90 minutes"

Robert Downey Jr. opens up about his brief time on SNL and support for young performers in new docuseries.

Robert Downey Jr., 59, reflects on his brief time as a cast member on Saturday Night Live in the new four-part docuseries SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night. Downey was part of the show's 11th season, which aired from 1985 to 1986 when he was just 20 years old. The actor shared that while his stint was short, it helped him understand his strengths and limitations as a performer.

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“I learned so much in that year about what I wasn’t,” Downey said, describing his experience on the show as an exciting 90 minutes, regardless of how well he performed. Downey also credited his good friend Anthony Michael Hall for helping him land the SNL gig. Hall, who was cast in the same season, encouraged Downey to audition, believing he would also make the cut.

The docuseries features other notable cast members from season 11, including Joan Cusack, Damon Wayans, Randy Quaid, Jon Lovitz, and Al Franken. Despite this star-studded lineup, season 11 is often regarded as one of the weakest in SNL history, with many of its cast members replaced in the following season. Hall also shared his challenging experience working on the show, noting that his youth made it difficult for writers to craft material for him.

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While Downey’s time on SNL may not have been a standout, his career has been incredibly successful. The Oppenheimer actor is now one of the highest-grossing actors of all time due to his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Downey is also known for supporting young performers in the industry, with his wife, film producer Susan Downey, noting his dedication to helping others in their careers.

"If he sees a performance he likes, he will go out of his way to get ahold of that person, especially anyone young and up and coming," Susan Downey, 51, tells PEOPLE magazine in 2024.