Judge Pardons Robert Downey Jr.’s 20-Year-Old Drug Conviction

Downey was sentenced in November 1996 for possessing a controlled substance, carrying a concealed weapon in his vehicle, and driving under the influence.

California’s pardons are granted to those people “who have demonstrated exemplary behavior following their conviction”, Brown’s office said.

The pardon was one of 91 issued by Brown in what has become an annual Christmas Eve tradition: official proclamations for men and women who previously served time for mostly nonviolent crimes. Hopefully his story continues to inspire others struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. The pardon signed by Brown stated the 50-year-old Downey has obtained a courtroom order “evidencing in that since his release from custody he has lived an honest and upright life, exhibited acceptable moral character and conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen”. The actor was also nominated for an Oscar for his role in the Ben Stiller comedy Tropic Thunder.

He served one year and three months in prison, two years on parole and almost three years on probation for his convictions, according to the governor’s office.

Downey’s life and career have rebounded, and he stars as “Iron Man” in Disney’s films based on the Marvel comic books.

An email to Downey’s publicist, Allison Garman, wasn’t immediately returned to The Associated Press. In 2014, Brown pardoned 104 people and 683 since he retook office in 2011. Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger granted 15, Democrat Gray Davis granted none, and Republican Pete Wilson granted 13.