In a recent conversation with film critic Leonard Maltin at the 2024 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, actor Robert Downey Jr. opened up about his early career and the jobs he held before achieving immense fame as a movie star. Downey, known for his role as Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, received the prestigious Maltin Modern Master Award at the event.
Reflecting on his past, Downey revealed that he had worked at a sandwich shop and a shoe store. However, his penchant for sticky fingers led to his dismissal from the shoe store after just two weeks. He shared that this was before the era of closed-circuit cameras, making it easier to slip under the radar. Downey also mentioned his time working in clubs and at Thrifty's in Santa Monica. Though he advanced to the position of busboy, he was advised that he lacked the necessary panache to become a waiter, ultimately leading him to pursue a career in theater.
