Iron Man Star's Missing Trophy Collection: 8 Major Awards
Despite winning an Oscar for Oppenheimer and collecting 70 awards from 162 nominations throughout his career, the Marvel superstar still lacks these prestigious honors that have eluded him for decades.
Robert Downey Jr.'s comeback in Avengers: Doomsday follows his acclaimed performance in Oppenheimer. The 2024 awards circuit saw Downey Jr. sweep the Supporting Actor categories as Lewis Strauss. His first Oscar victory capped off decades of recognition, with 70 wins from 162 total nominations.
Before his late '90s struggles, he earned multiple nods for 1992's Chaplin. His Ally McBeal television work brought additional acclaim. Marvel films added more prestigious recognition to his resume. Yet several major awards continue to slip through his fingers.
Emmy Awards Still Out of Reach
Two Emmy nominations mark his television efforts. Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Ally McBeal in 2001. Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for The Sympathizer in 2024. Neither brought home the trophy.
AACTA International Awards nominated him for Best Supporting Actor for Oppenheimer in 2023. The Australian academy recognition went elsewhere. Astra Awards brought two 2023 nominations for Oppenheimer - Best Cast Ensemble and Best Supporting Actor. Both missed.
British and Independent Recognition Gaps
Empire Awards delivered three nominations across his biggest hits. Best Actor nods for Iron Man in 2008, Sherlock Holmes in 2009, and The Avengers in 2012. None converted to wins. Gotham Awards recognized his ensemble work in Good Night, and Good Luck for 2005's Best Ensemble Cast. No victory there either.
National Movie Awards nominated him for Best Male Performance for Iron Man in 2008. Prism Awards acknowledged his dramatic range with a Performance in a Feature Film nomination for The Soloist in 2009. TV Guide Awards brought another Ally McBeal nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 2001.
Oscar Success After Long Wait
Three Oscar nominations span his career. Best Actor for Chaplin in 1992 started his Academy recognition. Best Supporting Actor for Tropic Thunder in 2008 showed his comedic range. Best Supporting Actor for Oppenheimer in 2023 finally delivered his first win.
BAFTA success came earlier. Best Actor in a Leading Role for Chaplin in 1992 marked his first major British win. Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Oppenheimer in 2023 added another. His Tropic Thunder nomination in 2008 didn't convert.
Critics and Audience Recognition
Critics' Choice Awards brought mixed results. Movie Awards nominations included Best Supporting Actor for Tropic Thunder, Best Actor in an Action Movie for The Avengers and Iron Man 3. Two Oppenheimer wins followed - Best Acting Ensemble and Best Supporting Actor. Television Awards nominated him for The Sympathizer in 2024's Best Supporting Actor category.
Golden Globes delivered four wins from six nominations. Special Achievement Award for Ensemble in Short Cuts in 1993. Best Supporting Actor for Ally McBeal in 2001. Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for Sherlock Holmes in 2009. Best Supporting Actor for Oppenheimer in 2023.
SAG Awards recognition spans television and film. Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy Series for Ally McBeal brought his first win in 2001. Two Oppenheimer victories followed - Outstanding Male Actor in a Supporting Role and Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture.
People's Choice Awards favor his Marvel work. Six wins from 19 nominations include Favorite Movie Actor and Favorite Movie Superhero for The Avengers. Action categories dominated his victories. Saturn Awards celebrate his genre work with four wins from eight nominations, including recognition for Heart and Souls, Iron Man, Iron Man 3, and Avengers: Endgame.
Teen Choice Awards brought three victories from 18 nominations. Choice Movie Actor: Action for Iron Man 3 in 2013. Choice Action Movie Actor for both Infinity War and Endgame. His upcoming Doctor Doom role in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars may add more hardware to his collection.