Robert Downey Jr. Gratefully Acknowledges ‘Terrible Childhood’ as he Wins First Oscar for ‘Oppenheimer’

Robert Downey Jr. achieved a significant milestone as he clinched the Best Supporting Actor award for his outstanding performance in “Oppenheimer” at the 96th Academy Awards held in the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, United States on Sunday.

The victory came as Downey Jr. triumphed over formidable competition, including Robert De Niro for “Killers of the Flower Moon” and Dominic Sessa for “The Holdovers,” among others.

In “Oppenheimer,” Downey Jr. portrayed the character of Rear Admiral Lewis Strauss in the biographical thriller, which hit the screens alongside Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” in July of the previous year.

This win marks Downey Jr.’s first Oscar triumph, following his second nomination, a remarkable 16 years after his initial nomination for his role in “Tropic Thunder.”

In his heartfelt acceptance speech at the Oscars ceremony on Sunday, Downey Jr. expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’d like to thank my terrible childhood and the Academy — in that order. I’d like to thank my veterinarian — I meant wife, Susan Downey over there. She found me a snarling rescue pet and you loved me back to life. That’s why I’m here.”