Robert Downey, Jr.
Downey in 2010, photo via PR Photos
Birth Name: Robert John Downey, Jr.
Place of Birth: Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Birth: April 4, 1965
Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish (three eighths), German, Swiss-German, Irish, English, Scottish, remote Austrian
Robert Downey, Jr. is an American actor, musician, and producer, also credited simply as Robert Downey. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Oppenheimer (2023). His roles also include Tony Stark / Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, beginning with Iron Man (2008) and largely ending in Avengers: Endgame; as well as the films Pound (1970), Firstborn, Weird Science, Back to School, Less than Zero, Johnny Be Good, True Believer, Chances Are, Soapdish, Chaplin (1992), Heart and Souls, Natural Born Killers, Only You, Richard III, Home for the Holidays, Restoration (1995), The Gingerbread Man, U.S. Marshals, In Dreams, Bowfinger, Wonder Boys, The Singing Detective, Gothika, Game 6, Good Night, and Good Luck., Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Zodiac, Charlie Bartlett, Tropic Thunder, The Soloist, Sherlock Holmes, and its sequel; Due Date, Chef, The Judge, and Dolittle (2020); and television’s Ally McBeal.
Robert is the son of Elsie Ann (Ford), an actress, and director, writer, and actor Robert Downey, Sr. He spent his childhood mostly in Greenwich Village. He moved to Los Angeles, California, with his father after his parents’ divorce in 1978. His sister is actress Allyson Downey.
Robert’s father was of one half Lithuanian Jewish, one quarter Irish, and one quarter Hungarian Jewish, ancestry. Robert’s mother had German, Swiss-German, English, Scottish, and remote Austrian, ancestry. Robert’s father was born with the surname Elias, and later changed his surname to Downey, after his own stepfather James Downey. Robert is married to producer Susan Levin Downey. The two married in a Jewish ceremony; Susan is Jewish. Robert has a son with his former wife, singer and actress Deborah Falconer; and two children with Susan.
Robert’s paternal grandfather was Robert R. Elias (the son of Yosef/Joseph/Iosel W. Elias/Eliashovich and Golda/Gussie/Augusta Goldberg). Robert’s grandfather Robert Elias was born in New York. Yosef and Golda were Jewish emigrants, from Lithuania, Yosef from Jonava and Golda from Prienai/Pren. Yosef was the son of Meyer Eliasovitz/Elias/Eliashovich and Bealia/Beylia Cohen. Golda was the daughter of Moses Chies “Morris” Goldberg and Khala/Khaia/Chala Gitel “Ida” Algaze/Algazy.
Robert’s paternal grandmother was Elizabeth Jesse “Betty” McLoughlin/McLauchlen (the daughter of James Robert McLauchlen and Ellenore/Eleanor “Ella” Ormay). Elizabeth, who was a model, was born in New York. Robert’s great-grandfather James was born in Massachusetts, to parents from Canada, John Robert McLauchlen, from New Brunswick, and Jessie Murray, from Nova Scotia; and had Irish ancestry. Robert’s great-grandmother Ellenore was a Hungarian Jewish immigrant, and was the daughter of Rudolph Ormay and Ilke/Ilka Helen Stern. Rudolph’s parents were Herman Ormay and Elizabeth Heiman. Ilke’s parents were Rudolf Stern and Ilke Rosisatier.
Robert’s maternal grandfather was named John Webster “Eddie” Ford (the son of John Ford and Mary). Robert’s grandfather John was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and had English and Scottish ancestry.
Robert’s maternal grandmother was Fay/Faye Marguerite Schoch (the daughter of Cyrus A. Schoch and Elsie May Peightal). Faye was born in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Cyrus was the son of Lewis Henry Schoch, who was from Bavaria, Germany, and lived in Punxsutawney, PA; and of Catherine/Katherine/Catharine Schucker, who was also of German origin. Elsie was the daughter of James Peightal and Sarah Ann/Anne Flenner, who were of German and Swiss-German descent.
Downey in 1990, photo credit: Alan Light
Sources: Interview with Robert, mentioning his background – http://www.nytimes.com
Genealogy of Robert Downey, Jr. – https://www.geni.com
Genealogies of Robert’s parents – https://www.findagrave.com
Family history of Robert’s paternal grandfather, Robert R. Elias – http://www.248ancestors.com
Robert’s paternal grandfather, Robert R. Elias, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Robert’s paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Jesse “Betty” McLoughlin/McLauchlen, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Marriage record of Robert’s paternal great-grandparents, James Robert McLauchlen and Ellenore/Eleanor “Ella” Ormay – https://www.familysearch.org
Robert’s paternal great-great-grandparents, John Robert McLauchlen and Jessie Murray, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Death record of Robert’s paternal great-great-grandfather, John Robert McLauchlen – https://www.familysearch.org
Death record of Robert’s paternal great-great-grandfather, Rudolph Ormay – https://www.familysearch.org
Death record of Robert’s paternal great-great-grandmother, Ilke/Ilka Helen (Stern) Ormay – https://www.familysearch.org
Robert’s maternal grandmother, Fay/Faye Marguerite Schoch, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
A correction I wanted to make was that even though his Jewish ancestry came from his paternal grandfather that had both of his parents from Lithuania which I agree is obviously Ashkenazi, Robert Downey Jr. is of Sephardi or Middle Eastern Jewish roots generation further back. The DNA test said Middle Eastern which they clarified was the approximate quarter Jewish side so I believe that should be added in his ethnicity to the Ashkenazi Jewish part as well.
“Middle Eastern” is some odd subset of a certain DNA test (not the 23andme one, which just says Ashkenazi, Sephardi, etc.).
Of course his ancestors at some point lived in what is now known as the “Middle East”. The same is true of all Ashkenazi Jews, so it’s a pretty meaningless addition that could be noted for everyone of Ashkenazi descent.
It’s like adding “Germanic” or “Roman” to people of English descent because they all have ancestors from there, or even “Caucasian” since Europeans originated from the Caucus area.
You could also add “Roman” to all Ashkenazi Jews since they’re all partly descended from Roman converts to Judaism.
Yes, I am aware that every Ashkenazi Jew has Middle Eastern roots far back enough. The thing is how far back does this DNA test go that Robert Downey Jr took? I have a friend who is Ashkenazi Jewish and got tested from ancestry.com and only came up as two percent Middle Eastern. A test that goes 1000 years ago back
Atlanto-Med.
No picture?
correction; his eyes are hazel (light brown) and his hair is dark brown (brunet) I think it should be listed