Robert Jr Downey

When I met a street musician in downtown Los Angeles nearly four years ago, a guy playing a violin that was missing two strings, I wasn't sure I'd ever write about him. But as I got to know more about this gent, one column led to another, and then to a book called "The Soloist," and then to a movie in which Robert Downey Jr. plays yours truly.

What does it say about racial politics in America that two days after the first African American president is inaugurated, Robert Downey Jr. is nominated for a supporting actor Oscar for essentially playing a part in blackface? Of course, the role in "Tropic Thunder" is comedic, a politically incorrect spoof on Method acting run amok. Downey plays an Australian actor so committed to the truth that he has his skin medically darkened so he can portray an African American commando.

Anchored in the azure waters behind the Hotel Cap at Eden Roc, there is a luxury yacht three city blocks long. On the back of this yacht is a helicopter noisily preparing to take off. Robert Downey Jr., who is sitting on the balcony of the Eden Roc, rises in his chair. "That's my ride," he says. "Gotta roll." He sits back down with a grin; he isn't going anywhere.

THERE may come a time when Robert Downey Jr. can have a conversation about something other than his "comeback," but this isn't it. "Such a good actor," people have been saying for years, using a tone of wistful regret normally reserved for a fat girl with a pretty face. Now, watching as Downey nimbly carries the odd and shifting weight of Shane Black's upcoming comic-noir-thriller-romance, "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang," it is tempting to heave a sigh of relief and say, "He's back."

Actor Robert Downey Jr. suffered a minor cut over his nose Friday in a fight with another inmate at the Twin Towers jail in downtown Los Angeles, sheriff's deputies said. Downey was treated in the jail infirmary for the "slight laceration" after the 11 a.m. incident, Deputy Mark Bailey said. "When the incident occurred, Downey was assigned to an inmate worker area where he was voluntarily housed," Bailey said. An investigation will determine whether the actor will be moved, the deputy said.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will no longer allow actor Robert Downey Jr. out of jail to work on movie projects, Sheriff Sherman Block said Wednesday. Over the past few weeks, Downey--who is serving time on drug charges--has been allowed to leave jail twice. On Feb. 13, the judge in his case ordered sheriff's deputies to take Downey to a studio for "recording" work. A similar order came Feb. 17 asking that Downey be taken to Paramount Studios.

Actor Robert Downey Jr., who caused a stir when he was escorted from jail to work on a movie, was released Tuesday to complete his 180-day sentence at a drug rehabilitation center. Downey left the downtown Men's Central Jail shortly after 5:30 p.m., said Sheriff's Deputy Angie Prewitt. Officials said Downey has completed 113 days of his sentence. He will spend the next 67 days at the treatment center.

Responding to a request by Sheriff Sherman Block, a state appellate court has blocked a judge's order allowing actor Robert Downey Jr. to leave jail temporarily for post-production work at Paramount Studios. A three-judge panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal set a March 16 hearing at which Downey's attorney could argue why the actor should be allowed to work on movie projects during his jail time.

Amid continuing allegations of deputy misconduct in the Los Angeles County jail system, sheriff's officials disclosed Tuesday that four deputies are being investigated for soliciting autographs, posing for photographs and dining at a movie studio commissary as guests of actor Robert Downey Jr., whom they were assigned to guard during his last excursion out of jail.

When a pale Robert Downey Jr. was led away to serve his 180-day jail sentence for a probation violation in December, he could have expected a winter in a huge, decrepit county jail system where the closest exposure to outdoors can mean a roofed-in concrete courtyard. And for the most part, that has been his life. He has suffered through jail food, a knuckled blow to the forehead from another inmate, and the general humiliation of being deprived of freedom.